Glenlo Abbey Hotel

Accommodation
Glenlo Abbey offers various accommodation options from rooms to suites depending on the guests’ needs and wishes.

Room options
Rooms are fully air-conditioned and feature king-size or large twin beds, pillow-top mattresses and feather pillows. Expect a flat-screen tv, wi-fi, tea and coffee facilities, minibar-refrigerator and a safe. The en-suite marble bathrooms feature a power shower, robes and slippers and handmade Irish toiletries. Interconnecting rooms are available on request.

Classic King Room (247-290sq ft) with a king-size bed, overlooking the walled gardens and Abbey building; Classic Twin Room (247-290sq ft) with twin beds, overlooking the walled gardens and Abbey building; Superior King Room (312sq ft) with a king-size bed; Superior Family Room (312sq ft) with two double beds; Corrib Deluxe Room (312sq ft) with king-size or twin beds, overlooking Lough Corrib and the grounds.

Suite options
Each suite is fully air-conditioned and features king-size or large twin beds, pillow-top mattresses and feather pillows. Expect a flat-screen tv, wi-fi, tea and coffee facilities, minibar-refrigerator and a safe. The en-suite marble bathrooms feature a power shower, robes and slippers and handmade Irish toiletries. Interconnecting rooms are available on request.

The Junior Suite (400sq ft) sits in the original house and has a lounge area overlooking the walled garden and historic abbey.

The Grand Suite (657-765.3sq ft) has a four-poster bed, a lounge and dining area and panoramic views of Lough Corrib and the grounds.

The Presidential Suite (700sq ft + 689sq ft roof terrace) sits in the main manor house and has original decor, antique furnishings and modern amenities. There is a large bedroom with separate lounge/dining areas, a bathroom with a separate bath and a rainforest shower. The private roof terrace offers panoramic views of the lake, golf course and estate.

Restaurants
All Glenlo Abbey restaurants emphasise locally sourced, seasonal produce. In addition, the estate prides itself on its Irish lamb, steak, seafood, and fine wine list. All dining areas are family-friendly, with junior menus available.

Glenlo offers a unique foodie experience, dinner on the Orient Express! It's true! Coupled in the hotel's grounds are two of the original carriages from the Orient Express train that once ploughed a route through continental Europe. Now restored, they form the elegant and award-winning Pullman Restaurant - All aboard.

Palmers Bar and Kitchen is a cosy, laidback gastropub with a take-out menu. The leather and wood furnished Oak Bar offers casual dining. For something a little more indulgent, try the afternoon tea served with plenty of naughty accompaniments.

Breakfast, buffet or á la carte is served in the River Room Restaurant in the main hotel building with large bay windows overlooking the Corrib. In addition, we can arrange private dining. If you want an alfresco twist, the hotel can even organise a picnic lunch at the water's edge.

Facilities
Golf enthusiasts of all levels will enjoy Glenlo Abbey. The scenic nine-hole championship course, designed by Ryder Cup legend Christy O'Connor Jr, navigates rolling hills along the River Corrib banks. The 4th hole is actually on an island! There is also a driving range with tuition sessions available.

Other outdoor activities arranged on the 138-acre estate include horse-riding, river boating, cycling, hiking, archery and tennis. Venture into the ancient royal sport of Falconry with the help of onsite professionals.
More than anything else, you must try fishing. Lough Corrib is world-famous for its salmon and trout fly-fishing. In addition, local children still delight in supplying casters with the delicate Mayfly for use as bait in the springtime.

Fancy entertainment of the warmer and cosier variety? Glenlo boasts a plush 15-seater movie theatre. There's also regular live music and live sports on big screens in the Palmers Bar.

History
Glenlo derives its name from the Gaelic Glean Locha, meaning 'valley of the lake'.
The original house was the ancestral home of the Ffrenche family (with a double 'f'), one of the 14 merchant clans that made up the famous Tribes of Galway. They came to the west coast of Ireland in the early 1400s, having been part of the original Anglo-Norman arrivals. The family claims its descent from Sir Maximilian Ffrench, a knight who fought at the Battle of Hastings with William the Conqueror.

The house rebuilt as a country mansion around 1740. Around 50 years later, the construction of Glenlo Abbey was begun nearby but never completed. The estate passed through the Blakes ownership, another of the 14 tribes, the Palmers, milling merchants, and the Bourkes, who turned it into a hotel. Galway hoteliers John and Marie Lally currently run the hotel.

Another historic attraction on the estate is the Pullman dining carriage, Leona. It began service in 1927 as part of the original Orient Express on its main continental route. It has catered for many famous guests, including major stars of the silver screen, such as Laurel and Hardy and Charlie Chaplin. Its last journey was in January 1965, when it formed part of the funeral train transporting Winston Churchill's body to his final resting place in Oxfordshire.

After it 'retired', it became the primary shooting location for the 1974 film version of Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express. The movie starred Albert Finney as 'Poirot' supported by Lauren Bacall, Ingrid Bergman, Vanessa Redgrave, Sean Connery, John Gielgud and Michael York. Since 1998, it has been restored as the Pullman Restaurant at Glenlo, with spectacular Lough Corrib views.

Touring Guide
Glenlo Abbey is ideal for touring Connemara National Park and the magnificent Cliffs of Moher. Relax and go fishing on the waters of Lough Corrib. Galway is a short drive, and we can provide a local guide for a day. Please see our customisable Private driver-guided Tours of Ireland.