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Dungaire Castle Banquet vs Galway for Dinner

Posted by on

Hello All,

I will be making a trip around Ireland beginning next week and part of my trip will take me from Dingle in the morning up the west coast seeing the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren before ending inGalway that evening. I've read a bit about this Dungaire Castle Banquet and I'm wondering if anyone has done it and what they thought if it. On one hand it sounds unique and fun but on the other it's a bit pricey and a reservation must be made for exactly 5:30 PM making it a bit of a heavier commitment than I would like to have. The alternative would be getting dinner in Galway and spending the evening there. While I hear that Galway is fun does it offer an experience much different than what we will have had in Dublin, Kilkenny or Dingle? I am currently leaning toward the Castle Banquet but I'm worried about getting there on time and wonder Galway would be a better experience anyway. This would be our only evening to do either so I want to make the right choice. Thanks.

Posted by
12 posts

My wife and I (both early 30s) attended the banquet last May and it was one of our most memorable experiences from the trip. We arrived 15 minutes late and it wasn't a problem whatsoever. Included in the dinner is both mead and wine (so make sure to have a DD!) and a 4-course meal, which was absolutely phenomenal. You are seated at long tables with the other guests, which was intimate and made everyone feel like old friends. We both have short attention spans, but the performance and story-telling were so funny and so captivating that the 2 or 3 hours felt like an hour. The entire room erupted into a standing ovation at the end. It may not be for everyone, but we cannot reminisce about Galway without the bulk of our conversation focusing around the banquet.
Be advised: coming from Galway, the traffic in City Center was extremely heavy and the parking is about a block or two on the left past the castle (took us 2 laps to find it), so allow yourself plenty of time.

Posted by
12 posts

Also, just a heads-up: from Dingle to the Cliffs (3.5 hours), and to the Castle (1 hour), is 4.5-5 hours of drive-time, which doesn't allow too much wiggle-room.

Posted by
1172 posts

This looks really interesting... we are travelling with kids aged 11 and 8... would this be of interest to them as well you think?

Posted by
12 posts

Sharon,

Absolutely! There was a 12-year old at our table who was laughing and clapping along with everyone else. The humor was clean and without any innuendos, and the music was traditional and all harp-based. The only downside for kids would be that there were a few people who got a little buzzed and rambunctious, but not overly obnoxious. That and there isn't a menu, so you eat what you are offered. We don't eat seafood, but left completely stuffed.

Posted by
1172 posts

Thanks for the information Anthony. Will seriously consider adding it to our Galway days!

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