Kennys Book Shop and Art Gallery on High Street is a treat to visit. All the publications are Irish; the artists are usually local. Many photos of famous literary visitors are on the walls. Out the back exit of Kennys and across the road is Charlie Byrnes, a second-hand bookshop with extensive collections: history and literary fiction are good. On Shop Street is Easons, with international publications including daily newspapers.

Actually in County Galway, just 5 km north of Gort, Thor Ballylee is a 16th century tower which was the home of W.B. Yeats in the 1920s. Coole Park (house, nature reserve, picnic areas) also had strong literary connections in the early 20th century, frequented by Yeats, Casey, GB Shaw and others.

The food shops are so good that you will look for any excuse to eat al fresco: McDonaghs Fish Shop and Fish and Chips Bar; Sheridans Cheesemongers, Goyas Cakes, The Saturday Market for bread and grilled sausages, the French Bakery on Cornstore/Middle Street for bread and pastries, McCambridges on Shop Street for everything else.

The same Quay Street area has several of the best outlets for local and other Irish design. Judy Green: pottery; Design Ireland: furniture and furnishings; O’Mailles: woollens and tweeds. There are several more woollens, jewellery, craft shops in the area

The heart of bohemian Galway is around the Quay Street / Cross Street area (click on the Map button) with cafes, small restaurants, Galway’s oldest pubs, the medieval Kirwans Lane, the best design, pottery and woollens shops. At the north end is the 14th century St Nicholas Church and the Saturday market. At the south end is the River Corrib flowing into Galway Bay at the medieval Spanish Arch.

Week full board £175.00 Weekend Full board £84.00- £50.00 Public Holiday Weekends £100.00