Galway Tour Company has been operating in the West of Ireland since 2007 – We can assure you nobody knows Galway as much as we do!
There are 35 heritage sites, 31 museums and 10 art galleries spread out between Galway City and County. Below you will find the top 7 things we recommend you see when in Galway.
Galway is a harbour city rich with history such as the latin quarter which is full with stone clad cafe’s, traditional pubs, and boutique shops. The city is popular with tourists for its incredible atmosphere on shop street and eyre square as well as the entertainment, pub and food scene. Galway is known to many as the festival capital of Ireland as it hosts over 100 different festivals every year.
There is so much variety to choose from and there is definitely something to suit everyone’s taste when visiting Galway. The city of Galway is truly diverse and blessed with incredible views out to the Atlantic ocean – we even have some of Ireland’s top rated beaches to boast as well, but that is a blog for another day.
Top 7 Things to See In Galway
Taking a tour around Galway lets you discover the medieval history of this popular tourist city as well as visiting stunning ancient castles, eating the best cuisine, and more.
- Galway City Museum
The Galway City Museum was founded back in 1971, with the new Galway City Museum opening in 2007. It is a modern building and home to a variety of exhibitions on the history of Galway. A stop here will allow you to immerse yourself in the medieval history of this Irish town and there are plenty of interactive exhibitions to enjoy too. There are over 1,000 objects in the collection currently.
Some of Europe’s most impressive stone monuments can be seen here. Learn about the river Corribs myths, legends and folklore. The museum is beaming with ancient objects and artifacts of the cultural heritage of Galway City and its people throughout history.
- Spanish Arch
The Spanish Arch is located near the Galway City Museum and is one of the most loved stops for people exploring Galway. The arch was constructed in the 16th century in a bid to protect the city’s quay and is a must see for those who want to learn more about the history of Galway.
Now the Spaniards did not build the Spanish Arch and this causes confusion for many tourists. It is believed that the name is in reference to the middle ages merchant trade with Spain, who used to dock down at the arch.
- Galway Cathedral
The cathedral is located on the banks of the river Corrib and if you are looking to see some impressive architecture the cathedral is one of the most impressive churches in the area.
Constructed in the late 1950’s it is believed to be one of the youngest stone cathedrals in Europe. The cathedral was designed by J.J. Robinson and it is a mixture of romanesque and gothic styles
- Eyre Square
Eyre square is one of the most anticipated sightseeing places in Galway, as it is the backdrop to many pictures of the city. This is one of Galway’s finest public parks and is in the heart of the city centre, making it the perfect meeting point.
Eyre squares official name is John F. Kennedy Memorial Park but this name is rarely used. The square is believed to have been used as a market place during medieval times and even in the modern day you will find wonderful markets taking place there at the weekends and a special christmas market has brought some extra festive cheer to the city for this past number of years.
- Claregalway Castle
The legendary Claregalway Castle is just 20 mins from the City was once home to Ulick The Beheader. Claregalway Castle is a fully restored 15th century Anglo-Norman tower house. Situated on the banks of the River Clare. The grounds are stunning and in summer you can spend as much time as you like roaming the gardens and taking in all there is to see. The castle is open to the public daily from June-September between 12-4pm on Thursdays-Sundays only.
- NUI Galway
The National University of Ireland in Galway is worth visiting even if you do not plan on studying here. You can walk through the halls where many famous people have walked before you. The Quadrangle is also infamous with tourists and was the original part of the campus, opening its doors in 1849. - Taibhdhearc na Gaillimhe (Galway Theatre)
The Galway Theatre or Taibhdhearc na Gaillimhe in Irish is a must see during any Galway tour. It is the national Irish language theatre of Ireland. It was closed for renovations several years ago but reopened in 2012 and has a full listing of events for everyone. This is one of the must-see spots and if you are staying overnight in Galway, you will want to take in a show or two.
Some Interesting Facts
The longest place name in Galway is Muckanaghederdauhaulia, a 470 acre townland in Kilcummin Galway. The Irish version of the name, ‘muiceanach idir dhá sháile’, which translates to “piggery between two briny places” and probably refers to a pig farm once located in the area.
Did you know Galway is also the largest Gaeltacht (Irish speaking community) in Ireland?
What is the best way to see Galway?
These are just some of the amazing things you can see on one of our Galway tours. You could also look to include things like our Cliffs of Moher tour & the Burren tour, Connemara, Cong & Kylemore Abbey tour, or our Aran Islands and Cliff Cruise Tour if you are looking to get the full experience of what Galway and its neighbouring counties have to offer.
Enhance your time in the West of Ireland and enjoy the spectacular scenery, learn about Irish traditions, and so much more. Galway Tour Company offers the best tours of the West of Ireland, suitable for all visitors. Our tours depart daily and incorporate some of the most stunning and breath-taking places along the Wild Atlantic Way.
