Welcome to The Spanish Arch

Located in the well known Quay Street, Galway City, West Ireland - The Spanish Arch Hotel, Bar & Restaurant acquires its name from a Historical site found only yards away - The Spanish Arch.

The Spanish Arch was built in 1584 and is an extension of the old Galway town walls, attached to it are earlier segments of the town wall, a watergate and the recently excavated base of a small rectangular tower (Martin's Tower). The earliest documents refer to the Spanish Arch as "Ceann-na - Bhalla" or " The head of the wall". The name "Spanish Arch" is a fanciful one, given much later and comes from a more recent but mistaken identification of "The Spanish with the Arch". The building of the Town wall began in 1276 but it was not until 1376 that construction began in earnest. In 1515, the fortifications had reached the area known as The Fish Market or Spanish Parade. By 1584, the three towers along the southern portion of the town, including Shoemakers Tower - the base of which was recently excavated - were completed.

In 1972, the Spanish Arch complex was acquired by Galway Corporation and, today contains the City Museum. All in all, the Spanish Arch, incorporates a truly remarkable section of old Galway.

As of September 2007, it came under new management - South African. With a blend of Australian, Canadian, Polish and Irish cogs working together to create an International, relaxed atmosphere, the Bar offers a selection of beers on tap, whiskeys and liqueurs while upstairs, the Restaurant offers food of excellance with a wine list with a lot of promise and attached to this fanfare of choice is The Hotel - with competitive rates, you cant afford not to be where the action happens.

Life's a Journey - Enjoy the Ride!