Aniar Restaurant

Interior styled by Grainne O Neill of Architectural Spaces

Aniar, a terroir-based restaurant, has recently opened in Galway’s West End. The word terroir is usually associated with winemaking: the combination of factors, including soil, climate, and environment, that gives a wine its distinctive character. Owned and operated by JP McMahon and Drigín Gaffey who brought us Cava Spanish Restaurant and Tapas Bar, Aniar has set the hearts of foodies racing.



The kitchen is run by Enda McEvoy, who has recently returned from Noma, the Danish restaurant, voted the World’s Best Restaurant 2011. He explains the philosophy of Aniar, “The food is based on our terroir, the ensemble of natural infl uences that give a food a sense of place. Here in the west we are surrounded by lush ancient woodland, bountiful shorelines, thriving farmlands all heaving with some of the best ingredients in Europe but unique to us. We hope to reveal and utilise our terroir. We will quite simply obey the seasons and let nature decide our menu”. The wine list features over 40 wines produced by small artisan wine producers who also take their ‘terroir’ into great consideration. Over 20 winesare available by the glass to allow customers to experience the diversity of wine on a global level.

Proprietors: Drigín Gaffey & JP McMahon Head Chef: Enda McEvoy
Address: 53 Lower Dominick St, Galway City.
Tel: 091 535 947
Email: aniarrestaurant@gmail.com
Opening Hours: Tues – Sat: 6pm to 10pm



Featured in Upstairs Downstairs Interior Magazine - October/November 2011

A Stylish Studio

Gráinne O’Neill owner of Architectural Spaces had always dreamed of working from home while keeping her home life separate from her work. When she was redesigning her old farmhouse, which we featured in our last issue, she decided to design a secluded working space in her lovely garden that would be far enough away from the house so as not to intrude on her home life. She modelled the design of the studio on that of an old hunting lodge. The curved studio nestles into the small woodland area which at this time of the year displays a carpet of bluebells.

The idea was to create an airy and comfortable working environment where she could meet her clients in a relaxed atmosphere. This studio is like a tardis, on entering it the feeling is one of space and light. Through clever detailing she has designed this working studio so that it if ever required it could easily become a self contained garden house complete with kitchen, toilet and wet area.
Gráinne has designed two large rooms one is her own office and meeting area and the other is her CAD room and where she also houses her vast selection of fabrics, wallpapers and accessories. Clients can move between both spaces with ease. With attention to detail she incorporated high ceilings, uplight details and curved coving which gives a sense of space and atmosphere. Grainne often designs soft, curved and organic shapes within her work, which again she has successfully incorporated into her studio.  The long windows frame the beauty of the country garden outside and which can be seen from every angle. French doors lead to the courtyard, house, woodland and rear  garden which is now blooming with daffodils.

Grainne’s studio fulfills every element she was looking for in a  work place. It is not hard to see how all her wonderful design ideas and schemes come together in this inspirational and magnificent setting.


Featured in Upstairs Downstairs Interior Design Magazine - April/May 2011