Saturday 29 March 2014

Mothers Day 2014

Mum. Máthair. Mama. Oma. Mutter. Mommy. However you say it, no matter the language, the word for “mother” should be translated to “Thanks for everything!”

A Mother is a precious gift and today is a celebration of Mothers, Grandmothers, Godmothers, Mum's to Be and Motherly Aunties everywhere.


There are many different kinds of mothers in this world. In Ireland we revere the 'Irish Mammy'


An Irish Mammy rules the house, she can silence you with a look or make you feel 5 years old when she scrubs a non existent smudge off your cheek....in front of your co-workers and knows exactly how to embarrass you when introducing your date. She can tell when you are lying......especially when you are caught in the act of tip toe-ing into the house well past bedtime!!

There's that obsession with airing clothes and the magical ability to make dinner for an army whilst simultaneously catching you up on all the births and deaths in the area. Every Irish child knows that flat 7up cures everything but then again ...we'll be better before we are married.

An Irish Mammy is an institution - she will be your biggest fan for life, your staunchest ally, your toughest protector and when you are far away from home, her ham sandwiches & strong Irish tea are what dreams are made of.

All mammies are wonderful but an Irish Mammy is worth her weight in gold and every Irish girl beside you is an Irish Mammy in the making.  “A man loves his sweetheart the most, His wife the best, And his mother the longest.” ~ Old Irish Saying


No matter where you are in the world, may you always have fond memories of your home and your Mammy whether Irish or no. As the saying goes:

Níl aon tinteán mar do thinteán féin - There's no hearth like your own hearth
 "There's no place like home"

At ESPA at the g we are making Mother's Day bright with our pampering spa package. Ideal for mothers, grandmothers and mums-to-be, just €80 for 1 hour including:
g Use of Thermal Suite facilities*
g ESPA Boutique Facial
g File & Polish on fingers
g ESPA Love Your Skin Collection Gift (worth €35)
g Refreshing juice and chocolate
g Experience of the Relaxation Lounge

* Access to Thermal Suite not recommended during pregnancy. Valid Monday – Friday, subject to availability..


Thursday 13 March 2014

What it Means to Be Irish - St Patrick's Day at the g Hotel, Galway


With St Patrick's Day upon us, many people overseas are reminded of their Irish heritage - almost 70 million people ....to put a more exact number on it!

Ireland is a tiny island of less than 5 million people yet through the centuries we have reverberated throughout the world in so many ways. We have provided the words of plays, books and poems thanks to Wilde, Kavanagh, Joyce, O’Casey, Behan, Yeats, Friel, the recently lost Maeve Binchy and Seamus Heaney, Edna O’Brien and the humorous Roddy Doyle to name but a few..

Those words have been brought to life by a host of actors including Richard Harris, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Farrell, Saoirse Ronan, Daniel Day Lewis, local Galway boy, Peter O’Toole and Cillian Murphy soon to reappear in a Galway Arts Festival production this July.

Our renowned wit has made the world a brighter place through the wonderful Graham Norton, the inimitable Father Ted, the giggle worthy Republic of Telly and many more…

Colour and creativity are part of Ireland’s legacy with celebrity milliner and designer of the g Hotel, Philip Treacy, leading the long list of Irish fashion designers recognised throughout the world.

U2 are the biggest rock band on the planet and paved the way for our modern musical exports such as Sinead O’Connor, Westlife, The Pogues, Glen Hanzard, Imelda May, The Script and an ever increasing list of successful Irish musicians. Yet we all remember our roots with greats such as Willie Clancy, Luke Kelly and The Chieftains. Even Justin Timberlake is getting in on the act reviving the ‘Auld Triangle’ for his recent movie with the Coen Brothers.

May our list of sporting achievements continue to grow even longer and join legends such as Eamonn Coghlan, Packie Bonner, Ken Doherty, Christy O’Connor Junior, Pádraig Harrington, Roy Keane, Sonia O’Sullivan, Brian O’Driscoll, Ruby Walsh and Katie Taylor.

But before all of the above amazingly talented Irish people, the island of Ireland was the land of Saints & Scholars – giving the world the Book of Kells, St Brigid, numerous inventors with the Beaufort Scale and Submarine to their credit and of course, the most famous Irish symbol in history – St Patrick.

This week, and in some cases this entire month, we celebrate our Irish heritage, that of the past that has helped to mould who we are today as well that of the now, which will help to create our future. To all of the Irish living in Ireland……..to the Irish living overseas……..to those who are newly making Ireland your home……..from all of the team at the g Hotel in Galway;

Lá Fhéile Pádraig Sona Daoibh - Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

What it means to be Irish from Team at the g Hotel

“To be Irish is to be connected to my family and my home” – Tommy (Restaurant)

 “Living in Ireland has allowed me to make many new friends, friendships formed with respect and trust” - Elizabeth (ESPA)

 “Being Irish means being a genius” – Noel (Reception)

“The weather is beautiful and life in Ireland is easy going“ - Samy (Kitchen)

 “Living in Ireland is all about new adventures, new experiences and new friends” – Natalie (Reception)

 “Friendly warm people which makes up for the rain and the wind!”- Rachel (Events)

 “Being Irish is about having a great sense of humour and the willingness to give a helping hand when needed” - Arcadia (Administration)

“I am glad to have made Ireland my home thanks to the great job opportunities and close religious bond with the Philippines” Marcelina (Accommodation)

“We Irish have a sense of loyalty and are always looking out for each other”- Rosin (Reception)

 “We are known worldwide for our traditions, our friendliness and we know how to have the craic!” - Louise (Accommodation)

“The personality of us Irish is laid back - we do not stress but always get the work done” - Finbarr (Accountant)

 “I am very happy in Ireland and the people are very nice”. - Hajinaika (Restaurant)

 “Being Irish is all about being happy, family and fun times “– Caitlin (Reception)

“Beautiful scenery and seaside - I might even retire here!” – Merli (Administration)

“When I think about what it means to be Irish I immediately think of our history, culture, arts, and our passion for sports. Our fighting spirit and how we never give up” – Adrian (Concierge)

CLICK HERE #IrelandInspires Video from Failte Ireland - Reminding us all just how proud to be Irish we should be!

Monday 3 March 2014

The g Hotel needs YOUR help!

We are calling on all our loyal customers to nominate us for the Irish Restaurant awards this year.

LIFE magazine is inviting you to nominate AND 3 lucky voters will be in with achance to win Fabulous Irish Foodie Weekend Break for two people! The closing date is fast approaching CLICK HERE TO VOTE

We would love to compete and would greatly appreciate your vote if you have visited us and enjoyed your meal and ambience and hard-working team at The g.  

The categories are: Best Restaurant (Restaurant gigi’s ….of course)   Best Chef (Pauline Reilly....girl power)  Best Restaurant Manager (David Dillon….the man who loves to make you happy) Best Wine Experience  (David Dillon …..and his nose)  Best Customer Service (David Dillon and his wonderful team) Best Cocktail (Marcin Wujkowski)