Galway, Ireland – the administrative center of County Galway, the main Atlantic port of the Republic, the gate to Gaeltacht and Connemara. The city is located in the west, at the mouth of the River Corrib. Considered the cultural capital of Ireland, where pubs are relentlessly noisy and the atmosphere is relaxed.
It’s useful to know! About 2 million tourists visit Galway every year. The city is particularly crowded during the festival season, which runs from early spring to mid-autumn. It is recommended to make reservations for accommodation and tickets for events and excursions well in advance during this period.
General information
Galway is the fifth largest city in the Republic and is quite large (by Irish standards), although it can be walked around in three and a half hours. It has a population of 71,900 (2022), who do not have time to be bored, because Galway annually hosts festivals of international importance. For example, at the end of July, it hosts an arts festival, which includes musical performances, performances and art exhibitions for two weeks.
It’s good to know! The Irish National University in Galway plays a significant role in preserving the Gaelic language and folk traditions. Its campus includes approximately one hundred buildings, including restaurants, an art gallery, and a theater, where the majority of the city’s events are held.
Galway owes its name to the small but fast-flowing River Corrib. In Gaelic, it is known as Gaillimh, which means “rocky river.” The city was built around a castle that was constructed in 1124 by order of the King of Connacht (the western kingdom of Ireland). The strategic location of the settlement attracted many people and made it a desirable target for conquerors. In the 1230s, the city was captured by the Anglo-Normans led by Richard More de Bourgh.
Fort Galway became prosperous in no time, as merchant ships from France, Spain, Italy, and the Middle East flocked there. The city was ruled by local merchants until Cromwell’s forces conquered the city during the 1639-1651 War after a months-long siege. In the late 17th century, William III eliminated the trading dynasties of Galway, leading to its decline until its revival in the late 20th century.
Attractions
The people of Galway take great care of their landmarks, which they rightfully consider to be the property of Ireland. This is especially true of Lynch Castle, which is now home to a bank. This is the same Lynch who sentenced his own son to death in 1493. This is the Lynch we think of when we say “Lynch law.”
Don’t miss out on attractions such as Kylemore Abbey, built in 1871, and Ashford Castle, one of the most famous castles in Ireland. Ashford Castle dates back to the early 13th century, and today, anyone can spend a few days exploring the castle. Be sure to visit Eyre Square, named after the mayor of Galway.
Street Quay
Quay Street is a narrow cobblestone street that offers entertainment for everyone. You can practice your dancing skills in one of the bars, have dinner in a modest cafe or a prestigious restaurant, or simply stroll around, admiring the large and almost doll-like stone houses. Most of the buildings were constructed hundreds of years ago. They are perfect for capturing the attention of photographers with their picturesque arches, flower-adorned cornices, and lanterns.
The first houses began to appear here in the 14th century. At first, the street was favored by workers, and in the 19th century, by the city’s noble families. Already in the last century, Quay began to grow with all sorts of attractions and entertainment venues, where both locals and travelers came to visit.
The Cliffs of Moher are a must-see attraction in Ireland
Salthill Waterfront
Walking along the Salthill Promenade is a favorite pastime for residents of County Galway and visitors alike. The two-kilometer promenade is beautifully lit, making it a great place for leisurely walks, jogging, and cycling at any time of day. On a clear day, you can see half the city here, people breathing in the salty air, heading to the beach, or admiring the waves, seagulls, or sunset. Keep in mind that the ocean can be windy, so bring a jacket.
Galway’s Latin Quarter
The view of the Latin Quarter opens up just beyond the square of the Air, attracting attention with colorful Victorian-style houses. Everyone is seduced by the signs of clothing stores, souvenir shops, jewelry salons and pubs. An amazing mixture of the spirit of antiquity and young carelessness hovers in the air, for which tourists come here, and they are gladly entertained by street artists – musicians and circus performers, whose performances gather crowds of onlookers.
Galway Cathedral
The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and St. Nicholas, whose green dome is more than 40 meters high and can be seen from afar, gives the impression of being old, although it was built in 1958 and consecrated in 1965. Galway Cathedral is located in the center of the city and is one of its most prominent landmarks.
The youngest cathedral made of stone not only in Ireland, but also in all of Europe, was built on the site of a prison that was notorious for its ruthless guards. Previously, this location was avoided, but now it attracts thousands of visitors.
The architect D. Robinson chose the traditional Irish-Roman style of the 11th century, which existed before the Norman invasion, for the cathedral. The interior of the cathedral is decorated with stunning stained glass windows, paintings, and carvings, which can take several hours to explore.
The Galway Cathedral choir performs not only church songs, but also folk Irish songs. Organ music is often played within the walls of the cathedral. The well-designed acoustics make the choir and organ concerts unforgettable. Moreover, they are free, but small donations at the entrance are welcome.
The cathedral is open to visitors from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., but it closes earlier on religious holidays.
Oceanarium (Galway Atlantaquaria)
Walking along the Salthill waterfront, be sure to reach another attraction that is the pride of Galway County, but also of all of Ireland. The National Oceanarium aims to show visitors the aquatic world in all its diversity and beauty through vibrant displays, engaging live presentations, knowledgeable staff, and interactive sessions with the aquarium’s inhabitants.
Galway Atlantaquaria contains about 200 species of deep-sea creatures. The contact pool allows you to touch some of them, feed the small fish, and watch the giant fish being fed. If you feel hungry, you can visit the local restaurant or coffee shop.
- Galway Atlantaquaria is located at Seapoint Promenade, Galway, H91 T2FD.
- It is open on weekdays from 10:00 to 17:00, and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 to 18:00.
- Adults will have to pay 14 euros, while children from 2 to 12 years old will have to pay 9 euros.
- Website: https://nationalaquarium.ie/.
Connemara National Park
Almost 3,000 hectares of virgin nature are located on the Connemara Peninsula. In the recent past, this area was used for grazing and other agricultural purposes, but since 1980, the unique landscapes have been owned by the state and are being actively protected.
The small park area of Connemara has become an extremely popular destination for hiking, horseback riding and romantic picnics. The park offers to admire a variety of natural landscapes: mountains and hills, meadows and forests, moorlands and swamps, fast and deep rivers, breathtaking waterfalls and golden beaches. The territory is considered the birthplace of the Irish red deer and the Connemara pony, as well as peregrine falcons, meadow hares, sparrowhawks and goldfinches.
For the needs of tourists in the park there is a help center, a hotel, a cafe, an exhibition center and a whole range of entertainment for kids. All of Connemara’s routes are neatly plotted on an intuitive map, which greatly helps travelers. You can choose from four routes, each of which takes from 30 minutes to three hours to complete. The most desirable target is Diamond Hill. From its summit, in clear weather, you can see the ocean, the islands of Inishbofin and Inishark, as well as Kilemore Abbey.
- The park is open daily.
- Admission is free.
- When traveling here, bring sneakers, a raincoat, and sunscreen. The main entrance to Connemara is located near the village of Letterfrack (along Route 59), which is accessible by bus from Galway, Clifden, and Westport.
Wild Atlantic Way
A journey along the Wild Atlantic Way is a chance to thoroughly explore the nature of Ireland. More than two thousand kilometers of roads stretch along the western coast of the Republic and four counties. On the route, which runs from the Inishowen Peninsula to the town of Kinsale in County Cork, tourists will find more than 150 strategically interesting places – you can taste delicious Irish cuisine, go horseback riding, get involved in surfing, go fishing and walk through the hills covered with juicy emerald grass.
Galway Holidays
Galway offers its guests a variety of accommodation options. The choice of accommodation depends solely on your budget and personal preferences, as there are no “good” or “bad” areas in the city. Most tourists tend to stay in the center, where the main attractions are located.
- A double room in a three-star hotel costs 90-140 € during the summer.
- A room with similar conditions in a 4-star hotel costs 120-160 € on average.
- The cost of renting apartments varies greatly, with a minimum nightly rate of €90 in summer.
It is difficult to go hungry in Galway. The city, which is officially recognized as the culinary capital of West Ireland, offers a wide variety of dining options, from restaurants and pubs to pastry shops and grocery stores. Gastronomic tourists will appreciate the hearty local cuisine featuring meat, seafood, and potatoes, as well as Irish coffee with a splash of whiskey. The prices are as follows:
- A meal at a mid-range restaurant costs around 15 € per person.
- a bill for three courses for two people – 70 €;
- a fast food snack costs 9 € per person.
How to get to Galway
Shannon Airport is only 78 kilometers from the city center. The second most remote airport is Ireland West Airport Knock, located 87 kilometers from the city center. Both airports handle both domestic and international flights. Most tourists from the CIS countries arrive at Dublin Airport and then travel to Galway.
From Dublin Airport by bus
To the city of Galway from the capital of Ireland, you can take the “hourly” express carriers Bus Eireann, Go Bus or City Link directly at the capital airport, as well as at the central bus station. Buses depart from 6:15 to 00:30. The road takes 2.5-3 hours. The point of arrival is the railway station or the new bus station of Galway (they are located very close).
A ticket for 13 € when purchased online and 16 € from the driver. You can purchase online on the carriers’ websites: www.gobus.ie and www.citylink.ie.
From Dublin by train
Traveling by modern train with free wi-fi can be very pleasant. In the cabin, you will be offered coffee, tea, water and snacks. One disadvantage is that trains run less frequently than buses. For example, from the central railway station Dublin Heuston to Galway, the train departs once every two hours from 7:35 to 19:35. The journey takes 2 h. 20 min.
To save money, you can purchase your ticket online a few days in advance and receive the original ticket by order number at a special terminal at the train station. Alternatively, you can purchase your ticket at a regular ticket office at the train station. The fare is 15-16 €. The destination is Galway Train Station.
You can check the current schedule and prices on the Irish Rail website: journeyplanner.irishrail.ie.
From Dublin by car
Ireland can be easily explored by car. The only obstacle to this is the peculiar left-hand traffic. You can rent a car at Dublin Airport. It takes approximately 2 hours to drive to Galway, covering a distance of 208.1 km and consuming 17 liters of gasoline.
Experienced travelers know that the weather on the Emerald Isle is equally unpredictable at any time of the year. Galway, Ireland, is a small country, so the weather is almost the same in all parts of the country. The port city has a temperate maritime climate, with an average temperature of +10°C, but it can be slightly spoiled by strong winds and light drizzle. A raincoat and rubber boots are a must-have for anyone planning to visit this city.
