40thWe arrived to view the venue at 10.30am as booked and we're greeted by the duty manager. I knew the events manager wasn't available as she'd already told me the night before that she wouldn't be about but I only wanted to look at the rooms and maybe get a price so it didn't matter too much.

The events manager, Niamh, had told me that the dates I wanted had already been pre-booked by two other couples but they were only pencilled in so she'd call them to see if they'd made their mind up. I explained to her that I'd rather have my party on the actual date of my birthday what with it being a Saturday and all that but I'd be happy to change it if need be. I'd happily have it the week before or even week after if it meant I could have the venue I wanted.

I've been to the Galway Bay Hotel quite a few times now. The Duggan's wedding, meetings, nights out for drinks and such like and I've always been impressed by everything. Quite literally everything. The place always looks stunning, the staff are always nice and friendly.

It's all that which makes me want my birthday there.

It's all that which makes it so much worse when the treatment we got today was so awful.

I don't think I've ever felt more unwanted! If I didn't know better I'd swear she was trying to stop us from booking the place. I came home with a couple of brochures on a different hotel, miles away in County Westmeath, rather than gorgeous Galway.

I didn't get a price but I did get a brochure on booking a conference. Interestingly enough Niamh told me that if I wanted a seated dinner the room she had in mind will hold 250. I told her there would just be a buffet and she said that it would hold many more then. This was great as it was the room I wanted.CED736FFD/view-of-galway-bay-just.jpg" alt="view-of-galway-bay-just.jpg" />
Today the duty manager tells me it will only just hold 200 and not really many more for a buffet. The website gives a third figure.

She also told me that they try to save Friday, Saturday and Sundays for wedding so could I possible have my birthday midweek? Well no, not really, I want it at the weekend so my friends can come!

So now I have a dilemma. I really want my 40th at the hotel but I don't think I want the shite (look I said shite and not shit!) service or weekday party.

Do I compromise or do I find a different venue?

I think I'll end up finding a different venue given that I've still yet to hear off Niamh or anyone else. All I really wanted was a price but overtime I ask I get fobbed off with another question.

What makes it worse is that the course I'm attending today is the same hotel and I'm heaven. I'm sat in the lounge looking out over Galway Bay and the Atlantic Ocean and it's lovely. I want the bloody party here but I will not have it midweek. As if she'd even suggest such a thing!