Heading to the Galway Races? Make your trip unforgettable with a stay at The Dawson Hostel Galway. We are a budget hostel in the heart of Galway city centre, a short journey from Ballybrit Racecourse, with affordable beds and private rooms for race week and all the comforts you need between race days.
Whether you are in town for the racing, the lively social scene, or simply to soak up the atmosphere, The Dawson Hostel is the perfect base for your Galway Races adventure, and far better value than the city-centre hotels that sell out and surge in price during the festival.
Wondering where to fuel up before the races or grab a pint after? See our guide: Cheap Eats Galway Races.
Galway fills to capacity for race week, and central rooms are booked months in advance, with the busiest days around the Galway Plate and Ladies Day going first.
Race week in Galway is one of the busiest times of the year, and finding affordable, comfortable accommodation can be a challenge. That is where we come in.
Staying with us puts you walking distance from the pubs, music and late-night buzz that make race week, with a kitchen to keep food costs down and a bed that does not cost a small fortune. It is the budget alternative to the hotels around Eyre Square that book out and lift their rates the moment the fixtures are announced.
Everything you need for a week at the races, without the hotel price tag.
Free Wi-Fi throughout, for checking the form, your bets and your transport.
Secure lockers to keep valuables safe while you are at the course.
Self-catering kitchen, handy for breakfasts, packed lunches and keeping the week affordable.
Free breakfast to start race days right.
Luggage storage for early arrivals and late departures, so an early check-out does not cost you your last day.
24-hour reception and late check-in, for the nights you get back after the last race.
Comfortable mixed and private rooms with linens included.
Social common areas where you will meet other racegoers before heading out.
The Galway Races Summer Festival runs Monday 27 July to Sunday 2 August 2026 at Ballybrit, seven days of racing, fashion and music, headlined by the Galway Plate (Wed 29 July) and Ladies Day (Thu 30 July), drawing well over 100,000 visitors. It is one of the busiest weeks in the Irish calendar, which is exactly why accommodation needs to be booked early.
Travelling to Galway Racecourse is simple when you stay with us:
For a full breakdown of staying near the course vs the city centre, see where to stay for the Galway Races.
We’ll be happy to help you with directions or booking transport.
However you are travelling to the races, there is a room to match.
Solo travellers and backpackers can grab a bed in a shared dorm, an affordable and sociable way to do race week.
View our roomsCouples can book a private room for a bit of comfort and quiet between race days.
View private roomsFriends, stag and hen parties or larger crews can sort a group booking, with dorms and private rooms combined.
Enquire about a group bookingRace-week rooms, especially the private and group options, are the first to go, so lock yours in early.
Accommodation during the Galway Races sells out fast, and The Dawson Hostel is no exception. With thousands of racegoers flocking to the city, rooms fill up quickly. Don’t miss out on affordable, comfortable accommodation near the action. Secure your stay now before we’re fully booked!
The Dawson Hostel Galway offers shared dorms for solo travellers and backpackers, private rooms for couples and small groups, and combined room bookings for larger groups. You can see all room types and book early, as race-week rooms go fast.
Yes. The Dawson Hostel Galway takes race-week group bookings, from friends and stag or hen parties to larger crews, with dorms and private rooms combined under one booking. It is best to send your dates and numbers early, as group space books out well before the festival.
The Dawson Hostel Galway includes free Wi-Fi, secure lockers, a self-catering kitchen, free breakfast and luggage storage with every stay, plus common areas to meet other racegoers. The kitchen and free breakfast help keep costs down during a pricey race week.
Booking direct is usually the cheapest option, as it avoids the booking fees that online travel agents add on. The Dawson Hostel Galway offers a best rate guarantee with no OTA fees when you book through its own website for race week.
Yes. The Dawson Hostel Galway offers secure same-day luggage storage, so guests arriving on an early train or checking out before the last day's racing can drop their bags and head into the city or out to Ballybrit.
Yes. The Dawson Hostel Galway has staffed reception for late arrivals, so guests can check in after an evening at the races or in the pubs. Let the hostel know your arrival time when booking.
