The Skeffington Arms Hotel is a three-star pub-hotel on Eyre Square in central Galway, and it is the most lively and informal of the five hotels in this guide. The Expedia listing describes it as about a one-minute walk from Eyre Square and Shop Street, with Galway station two minutes away, and close to Quay Street, Galway Harbour and Galway Cathedral. Rooms include Double, Single and Twin rooms, with in-room safes, free toiletries, kettles, heating and sound-insulated walls. The hotel has a restaurant, a bar and a nightclub, plus six bars or lounges according to the listing, with free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk, luggage storage, a lift, bike rental and a concierge.
Location and getting around: the Skeffington Arms is in the thick of it. Eyre Square, the Galway Christmas Market from 6 November to 22 December 2026, the train and bus stations and the pubs of the Latin Quarter are all within a few minutes on foot. Day tours to the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren and Connemara collect close by, so mornings are simple. Shannon Airport is about seventy minutes by road, and the station is the easiest way to arrive from Dublin.
Rooms and who it suits: this is a budget-friendly stay for people who spend their time outdoors or in pubs and just need a bed. Single rooms make it useful for solo travellers. Because the hotel has a bar and a nightclub, it can be noisy, especially at weekends, so light sleepers should request a quieter room and consider earplugs. The listing says the walls are sound-insulated, which helps. It is less suited to families with young children or anyone seeking a quiet retreat.
Good to know: breakfast is available for a surcharge, and there is room service and laundry on request. Parking is limited in central Galway, so use a nearby car park if you drive. If you want more space and calm, choose The Hardiman or Glenlo Abbey; if you want a pool, choose the Salthill Hotel. For a night or two of base-camp convenience, with a pub downstairs and the city outside the door, the Skeffington Arms is hard to beat on location and price. Book early for December weekends, when the market brings crowds.
Why stay here
- ✓On Eyre Square
- ✓Two minutes from Galway station
- ✓Restaurant and bar on site
- ✓Free Wi-Fi
- ✓24-hour front desk
- ✓Sound-insulated rooms
- ✓Lift and luggage storage
- ✓Bike rental and concierge
Good questions
Is the Skeffington Arms noisy?+
It has a bar and a nightclub in the building, so weekends can be lively. The rooms are described as sound-insulated, and you can request a quieter room.
How close is it to the train station?+
The Expedia listing says Galway station is about a two-minute walk and Eyre Square about one minute.
Does it include breakfast?+
Breakfast is available for a surcharge, so check the details of the rate you book.
