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Galway Attractions
Many of Galway's top attractions are outdoors and free of charge. In the center of town, for example, on Shop Street, is Lynch's Castle, dating from 1490 and renovated in the 19th century. It's now a branch of the Allied Irish Bank, and you can walk in and look around. The stern exterior is watched over by a handful of amusing gargoyles.
Close to the city docks, you can still see the area where Spanish merchants unloaded cargo from their galleons. The Spanish Arch was one of four arches built in 1594, and the Spanish Parade is a small open square, which, like Eyre Square, is great for people-watching.
The Tragic Tale of Lynch's Widow
One block away from Eyre Square on Market Street, the Lynch Memorial Window sits in a wall above a built-up Gothic doorway. It commemorates the tragic story of the 16th-century Galway mayor James Lynch FitzStephen, who condemned his own son to death for the murder of a Spanish merchant. After finding no one to carry out the deed, he executed the boy himself. The act destroyed him and he retreated into a life of seclusion.
County Galway
On the main road inland from Galway City, heading south and east, are a number of attractions perfectly geared for families: the well-preserved medieval town of Athenry, the giant fish tanks of the Galway Atlantaquaria, and ye-olde-tyme-funne feasting at Dunguaire Castle. Meanwhile, more literary types may be interested in a string of sites related to one of Ireland’s greatest poets, W.B. Yeats.
Heading west out of Galway City, the R336 coast road makes for a lovely scenic drive, snaking along the edge of Galway Bay. The first major stop on the headland is the beach resort of Salthill (Bóthar na Trá), a summer magnet for Irish families (think the Jersey shore in the U.S., or Blackpool in England). It has a boardwalk and a fine beach, plus lots of bars, fast food, amusement rides, and game arcades, a good respite if you’ve got kids (as long as you don’t mind the crowds). Farther along the R336 are some charming historic towns including Gaelic-speaking Spiddal (An Spidéal). The road continues as far as Inverin (Indreabhán), then turns northward, with signposts for Rossaveal (Ros an Mhíl), ferry port to the Aran Islands. Continuing north on R336, you can branch off on R340 to visit Ros Muc, site of the Padraig Pearse Cottage ★.
12 Results
- Ride
Corrib Princess Cruise
Sit back and take in the view from this 157-passenger, two-deck boat, as it cruises along the River Corrib out of Galway City. The journey along the river takes in castles, historical sites, and assorted wildlife, while an enthusiastic hostess shows passengers how to fix the perfect… - Performing Arts Venue
Druid Theatre
Highly respected across Ireland and beyond for its original, cutting-edge productions, the Druid has been one of the region’s foremost arts institutions since the 1970s. They’re particularly known for premiering new work from up-and-coming writers, so expect to find challenging,… - Cultural center
Galway Arts Centre
Once the home of W. B. Yeats’s patron, Lady Gregory, this attractive townhouse held local governmental offices for many years. Today, it offers an excellent program of concerts, readings, and exhibitions by Irish and international artists—returning the house to a purpose that Lady… - Cathedral
Galway Cathedral
Officially the “Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and St. Nicholas,” Galway’s cathedral has an impressive domed exterior that looks suitably Romanesque in style, although it was actually built in the 1960s. The striking interior has rows of symmetrical stone archways and… - Museum
Galway City Museum
Overlooking the Spanish Arch, built in 1594 by the docks where Spanish galleons used to unload their cargo, this rather endearing modern museum is a good place to acquaint yourself with the city’s history. Permanent galleries downstairs relate to Galway’s prehistoric and medieval… - Museum
Galway Fisheries Watchtower Museum
This tiny, free museum is worth visiting for the views of the River Corrib alone. The symmetrical yellow tower was built in 1852 as a lookout from which fishing boats on the river could be monitored; it was in use until commercial net fishing died out in the 1970s. Exhibits tell the… - Factory
Galway Irish Crystal Heritage Centre
Not as well-known as its feted Waterford rival, Galway Crystal is just as distinctive and beautiful. Most people just come to browse the huge factory shop, with its glittering array of crystal and other craft items, such as Belleek pottery. - Prehistoric Site
Hall of the Red Earl
This fascinating site is what’s left of a baronial hall from the Middle Ages, built by the powerful de Burgh family, Anglo-Norman earls who essentially ruled this region in the 13th century. In the late 1200s, they erected what must have been a lavish hall in which to hold court,… - Historic Site
Lynch’s Castle
Dating from 1490 and renovated in the 19th century, this impressive structure was once home to the Lynch family, who ruled the city for many years. One of the oldest medieval town houses in Ireland, it’s now a branch of the Allied Irish Bank. Gargoyles preside over the exterior,… - Museum
Nora Barnacle House
This tiny museum (which claims to be the smallest in Ireland) was the childhood home of Nora Barnacle—lover, muse, and eventually wife to James Joyce. The small terraced house was built in the 19th century, and has been lovingly restored to how it would have looked in the early… - Religious Site
St. Nicholas’ Collegiate Church
Galway’s oldest church, St. Nicholas’ was established about 1320. It’s claimed that Christopher Columbus prayed here in 1477 before one of his early attempts to reach the New World, although there’s no real evidence to suggest it’s true. Over the centuries, it has changed from Roman… - The Performing Arts
Taibhdhearc Theatre
Pronounced Thive-yark, this is a 108-seat, year-round venue for Irish-language plays. In summer, it presents a program of traditional music, song, dance, and folk drama.
Galway Shopping
Given its status as both a tourist hub and a vibrant arts community, it’s no surprise that Galway has fairly good shopping. Some of the best is in tiny clusters of shops in historic buildings, such as the Cornstore on Middle Street or the Grainstore on Lower Abbeygate Street. Eyre Square Centre, the downtown area’s largest shopping mall, rather incongruously incorporates a section of Galway’s medieval town wall into its complex of 50 shops.
Most shops are open Monday to Saturday 9 or 10am to 5:30 or 6pm. In July and August, many stay open late, usually until 9pm on weekdays, and some also open on Sunday from noon to 5pm.
18 Results
- Jewelry
Blacoe
This popular jeweler in the Eyre Square Centre sells Claddagh rings, engagement rings, and a large range of jewelry featuring traditional Irish motifs. Plenty of pieces sell for well under €100. - Bookstores
Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop
Packed floor-to-ceiling with books—secondhand, antiquarian, and new—this wonderfully chaotic bookshop has a huge stock covering just about anything. It’s so beloved that the Irish Times named this the best bookshop in Ireland in 2013. They also sell very fetching little cotton tote… - Antiques
Cobwebs
Located opposite the Spanish Arch, this great little store sells antique and modern jewelry, plus curios, antiques, and objects d’art. - Jewelry
Fallers of Galway
Fallers makes and sells the Claddagh ring, a traditional Galway souvenir that symbolizes love and friendship. It also has a large stock of other jewelry with Celtic motifs. - Fashion
Faller’s Sweater Shop
One of several stores in Galway that specializes in traditional Irish knitwear, this one also sells various gifts and souvenirs. The store is located on the ground floor of the Corbett Court Shopping Centre on Williamsgate Street. - China & Glassware
Galway Irish Crystal
This local brand of fine crystal rivals Waterford Crystal. At the factory on the edge of town, you can watch the craftspeople at work and purchase armfuls of the stuff yourself. - Fashion
Galway Woollen Market
This colorful store is one of the best for traditional, hand-loomed Aran knits, plus lace and other traditional textiles. Visitors who live outside the European Union don’t have to pay sales tax on items bought from here. - Jewelry
Hartmann & Son Ltd.
Another maker of Claddagh rings, Hartmann’s also specializes in watches and diamonds. This is one of Galway’s real high-end jewelry stores. - Clothing
Irish Tweeds
Although not the oldest tweed maker in town by any means, Irish Tweeds has a great selection of traditionally made garments, including snazzy hats, jackets, and nightwear. They also ship worldwide, free of charge. - Bookstores
Kenny's Book Shop and Galleries Ltd
Another long-standing favorite of Galway bibliophiles, Kenny’s has a great selection of new books on all topics, plus secondhand and hard-to-find antiquarian titles. (Tip: It delivers free, anywhere in the world, if you prefer to order online.) The bookstore also an interesting… - Bookstores
Kenny’s Book Shop and Galleries Ltd
Another long-standing favorite of Galway bibliophiles, Kenny’s has a great selection of new books on all topics, plus secondhand and hard-to-find antiquarian titles. (Tip: They deliver free, anywhere in the world, if you prefer to order online). There’s also an interesting little art… - Fashion
O'Máille (O'Malley)
Another excellent place to buy Aran knitwear, this store has a claim to fame of its own—when The Quiet Man was filmed here in 1951, it provided costumes for all the actors, including John Wayne. - Fashion
O’Máille (O’Malley)
Another excellent place to buy Aran knitwear and other Irish knits, this store has a claim to fame of its own—when The Quiet Man was filmed near here in 1951, they provided costumes for all the actors, including John Wayne. P. Powell and Sons
Usually just called Powell’s, this is an excellent source for instruments—including penny whistles, bodhráns, and the like—as well as a good range of traditional music CDs.- Antiques
The Gaiety Antique & Vintage Store
The owners of this friendly store are third-generation antiques dealers and furniture restorers. They specialize in antique furniture, ornaments and other curios, from Ireland and further afield. - Antiques
The Winding Stair
Another long-standing Galway antiques store, this place specializes in beautiful antique jewelry and silver. They also stock a good range of art prints. - Jewelry
Thomas Dillon’s Claddagh Gold
This chirpily colored little store makes two bold claims: to be the original maker of Claddagh rings (they’re the only ones allowed to stamp the rings with “original”), and to be the oldest jewelry store in all of Ireland. If the date it was established—1750—is anything to go by,… - Souvenirs
Treasure Chest
This large craft store and gift emporium in the town center sells china (including Belleek and Royal Doulton), plus Aran sweaters, Irish linens, handicrafts, and a host of other souvenirs.
Galway Nightlife
Clubs
Nightclubs in Galway tend to be wastelands until 11pm, and then packed up until 2am when most close. Expect to pay cover charges in a range of about €5 to €20, which doesn't include drinks. There are plenty of options if you've got dancing on your mind, including Halo, 36 Abbeygate St. Upper (tel. 091/565976; www.halonightclub.com) and Karma, Eyre Square (tel. 091/500330; www.karma.ie), both of which are popular with a young, twenty-something crowd. In nearby Salthill, new dance clubs with hot guest DJs are popping up all the time. One reliably good option is Liquid (tel. 091/527155).
Fridays and Saturdays are gay nights at the Attic @ Liquid, Liquid, Salthill (tel. 091/527155).
Medieval Banquet
A half-hour drive from Galway, Dunguaire is a splendid 16th-century castle where, in the summer, you can attend a medieval banquet with a show featuring works by Irish writers like Synge, Yeats, and Gogarty. Banquets cost €56 adults, €42 children 9 to 12 years old, €28 children 6 to 8 years old. Call tel. 061/360788 or visit www.shannonheritage.com for reservations. Dunguaire is in south County Galway on the Ballyvaughan road (N67), near Kinvara, approximately 26km (16 miles) from Galway. The castle is open to visitors daily from 10am to 5pm, after which there are two banquet seatings -- one at 5:30pm and one at 8:45pm. Banquets are held every night from May to September; many nights book up months in advance.
Theater
The creative theater group, Druid Theatre, performs in two venues in Galway -- in a recently refurbished, former grain warehouse at Chapel Lane (tel. 091/568660; www.druidtheatre.com), and at the Town Hall Theatre (tel. 091/569777; www.tht.ie). Performances are unique and original, focusing on Irish folk dramas and Anglo-Irish classics. This is widely viewed as one of Ireland's best theaters, and so its shows are frequently either sold out or on tour; book well in advance. Tickets run €15 to about €40. The Town Hall Theatre also hosts an eclectic program of concerts and film screenings.
7 Results
- Bars & Pubs
Crane Bar
Considered one of the best pubs in the city for traditional music, the Crane Bar has live bands every night from 9:30, and on some weekend afternoons too. Admission is usually free, but some sessions in the upstairs bar cost anything from a couple euro to €20. Druid Theatre
Highly respected across Ireland and beyond for its original, cutting-edge productions, the Druid has been one of the region’s foremost arts institutions since the 1970s. It's particularly known for premiering new work from up-and-coming writers, so expect to find challenging,…- Bars & Pubs
Front Door
This cheerful pub, which sprawls over two floors, is a wonderfully social place where you can saunter in at lunchtime for a tasty sandwich and a pint, and find yourself staying for hours. They sometimes show Irish sports on big TV screens. - Dance Clubs
Halo
Playful decadence is the vibe at this popular nightclub, which pitches itself at a young-but-not-too-young demographic (under 23s are not admitted). They have five bars and a good, slightly retro cocktail menu. - Bars & Pubs
Murty Rabbitt’s
This charming and unspoiled late 19th-century pub has a delightfully old-school feel. (It’s still run by the same family who owned it all the way back then, too. How’s that for tradition?) Rabbitt’s sometimes has live music in the evening. - Bars & Pubs
Quays Bar
Another good place to hear live music, the Quays has the unusual distinction of having interior decor that was reclaimed from a medieval French church. The what’s-on list is a real mixed bag—you could find anything from trad to 80s rock, hip hop to indie. Expect the fun to kick off… - Bars & Pubs
Roisin Dubh
As much a concert venue as it is a bar, this place gets great acts—expect to see a few famous names crop up among the packed program of live music and standup comedy.
