Tiz true what they say ..... one is never to old to learn , and its lovely to stumble across new information about old times people and places as i did today ....... about Galways best known Hotel ..... HOTEL MEYRICK Formerly known as THE GREAT SOUTHERN HOTEL , it was for many decades the premier hostelry of the old city , the noblest of guests rested there heads there and savoured the finest foods and wines it enjoyed the prestige until the late 80s , when many other luxury hotels sprang up in the city , and alas it later fell victim to Irish economic downturn and was sold of to private investors. Youyrs truly spent a good many years employed there and retain very happy memories of the old great southern hotel Galway , However i was aware of a great number of famous people who had passed through its doors and enjoyed its hospitality , over time never the less i had no idea that my movie hero and heroine John Wayne and Maureen O Hara had graced the fine establishment with there presence too at some point in time , Here you will find both of them listed among some of the stars and celebs ................... Other celebrities that have rested their bones at the hotel include: Queen Salote of the Tonga Islands; British Paratroopers, Sergeant Chay Blythe and Captain John Ridgeway, who arrived as the first to row across the Atlantic Ocean. Presidents that have stayed at the hotel or at least lunched there include: Sean T. O’Kelly, Eamon de Valera, Erskine Childers, Patrick Hillery, Cearbhall O’Dalaigh, Mary Robinson, and Charles De Gaulle. Lord Oranmore and Browne took over the 5th floor for two weeks during the shooting season for many years, with members of the peerage including Lord Longford and Lord Killanin. Now that blood sports such as fox hunting are banned in England, more sports shooters are seen at the hotel. Actors who have stayed at the hotel include: Siobhan McKenna, Ray McNally, Rex Harrison, David Hemmings, Bing Crosby and his wife, Cathy, Michael Mac Liammoir, Hilton Edwards, John Ford, and David Lean. Lunch visitors have included: Richard Harris, Fred Astair, Jack Nicholson, Anjelica Huston, John Huston, Paul Newman (who starred in the Mackintosh Man nearby Burren region), John Wayne, and Maureen O’Hara (both starring in The Quiet Man). Yes. I was in fine company while dining a la carte in the Oyster Room Restaurant. O’Flaherty’s Bar in the basement of the hotel is named after the writer, Liam O’Flaherty, who often stayed at the hotel while pounding out the screed in the 1940s. A fifth floor suite maximizes comfort. Although the hotel bedrooms on the lower floors are not overly large, they are appointed with modern amenities, including modern baths, internet email access, personal fax service, TVs, and lovely and comfortable beds. Some of these bedrooms are more traditional. The fifth floor is only elevator accessed with your room key, and offers the plushest rooms in the house. The hotel underwent a renovation of €8 million in 2003, so you are assured a very high standard. During the renovation, many of the Victorian features were enhanced and restored. The hotel is still in the heart of Galway, with Eyre Park on one side and Galway Bay on the other. Just a short stroll away is the wonderful streets filled with bargain shopping that ends at the River Corrib. All traffic is banned along the narrow shopping streets after 11 a.m. so your credit card spree is pollution free in the hectares of shops. Save your crystal purchases for the famous and modern Galway Irish Crystal Heritage Center factory store at the edge of town; the artful pieces rival that other Irish crystal — Waterford. Save some euros for shopping at the Spiddal Craft Centre along the coastal road, where you will find traditional artisans creating beautiful crafts in leather, wood, and wool. spiddalcraftvillage Hmm . . . a Galway shop devoted to womens lingerie. Irish Lace? Excuse me for a moment! Cold ambient air and hot water = the Canadian hot tub overlooking Galway Bay. After shopping, it is back to the Hotels Square Spa and Health Club, a unique location on the fifth floor overlooking the city. It is a real oasis of Galway. Facilities include an outdoor Canadian hot tub, hydrotherapy baths, Jacuzzi, steam room, and a fitness suite. The hydrotherapy baths are the ultimate in luxury, an energizing water treatment using different types of oils for relieving muscle aches and pains. The expertly trained therapists will guide you through the menu of body treatments, facials, massage, and alternative health and beauty treatments, including hot stone massage, reflexology, and aromatherapy. The panoramic fitness center. The facilities at the Great Southern Hotel are world class; each of the hotels 99 bedrooms is individually decorated combining old world features with modern facilities. Wide marble corridors lead you into opulently decorated rooms, some with wonderful views over Eyre Square. Yes, we live in the fast paced and stressful jet age, but take your body and soul and your jetlag back to an era when travel was more sedate, refined, exciting, and authentic, back to the days of the superlative Victorian era that still lives on at the Great Southern Hotel Galway. For more information about Ireland log on to tourismireland or call 800/223-6470. The Southern Hotel Galway is not the only property in the chain. You can stay at Great Southern Hotel Cork at the airport; or the Great Southern Hotel Dublin at the airport; or the Great Southern Hotel Shannon at the airport near Limerick; or the Great Southern Hotel Killarney, a classic since 1854; or the Great Southern Hotel Parknasilla overlooking Kenmare Bay; or Great Southern Hotel Rosslare on a cliff overlooking the harbor. — By Kriss Hammond, Editor, Jetsetters Magazine. Summer Gear For The Vale and Burren A Quiet Castle For The Quiet Man - Ashford The Jurys Verdict - Elegance in Dublin Medieval Inis - Modern Ennis The Stony Place - Irelands Burren and Gregans Castle Fresh Fare From The Food Isle Cupid Castle Cures Ireland - Romance In Stone Celtic Quiet Time In Brigits Garden abbeyonehundred - 10 Decades of Irish Theatre More Mead MLord Victorian Luxe in Galway Sign up for your FREE Jetsetters Magazine Travel Newsletter! Name: E-mail Address: Irish Countryside Tapestries - 18 square pillow This rich combination of luxurious color and texture will simply transform a room. Woven in a stunning Irish landscape tapestry pattern, the ensemble includes an afghan, larger pillow, and footstool, plus a matching accent pillow inscribed with May your troubles be less and your blessings be more, and nothing but happiness come through your door. USA. poly fiber fill Irish Creations James Galway & The Chieftains - Over the Sea to Skye: The Celtic Connection Live In Galway (DVD) Pachelbels Greatest Hit / Cleo Laine, James Galway, Et Al Galway Crystal: Large Shamrock Clock James Joyces Dublin Houses: And Nora Barnacles Galway Half-Three in Galway Jade Crystal Ireland Clock Masterpieces of Irish Crochet Lace Green Irish Tweed Cologne by Creed, 4 oz Millesime Spray for Men Irish-Style Aran Scarf Irish Tartan Scarf Fingal 100% Irish Linen 6 Piece Handkerchief Set Shamrock Pillow Sham 50cm x 76cm Belleek Shamrock Mint Tray Shamrock Windchime History of Tourism: Thomas Cook & the Origins of Leisure Travel hotelmeyrick.ie/
Posted on: Wed, 25 Jun 2014 20:11:46 +0000
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