Galway gem

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There’s a definite buzz about Galway right now, and Aoibheann MacNamara seems to be at the very heart of it. Her much-loved eatery, Ard Bia at Nimmos, overlooks the Claddagh Basin on the River Corrib where travellers and locals alike flock to feel nourished and nurtured.

Alongside running a business and managing a team of 25, Aoibheann regularly collaborates with emerging and well-known artists, and this love of art is clear the minute you walk into her home. Her walls are filled with work by both Irish and international artists who’ve caught her eye along her many travels. We also adore her whimsical and functional finds, like a sweet drying rack and a large vintage water cooler, which she sources at auctions, flea markets and online. Full of personality, an obvious passion for life and, surely, plenty of stories – much like Aoibheann herself.