Home > Counties > Co. Galway > Galway City

Galway City, Co. Galway

Galway (official Irish name: Gaillimh) is the only city in the province of Connacht in Ireland and capital of County Galway. The city takes its name from the Gaillimh river (River Corrib) that formed the western boundary of the earliest settlement, which was called Dún Bhun na Gaillimhe, or the fort at the bottom of the Gaillimh. The word Gaillimh means "stony" as in "stony river". The city also bears the nickname City of the Tribes / Cathair na dTreabh, because fourteen "Tribes" (merchant families) led the city in its Hiberno-Norman period.

Galway is a vibrant, youthful city, it is a is a place of colour, charm, character and contrast, with an international reputation for exceptional foods - notably the native Irish oysters, which are a speciality of the Clarenbridge area and celebrated at the annual Oyster Festival there in September. The area is renowned for its seafood, especially shellfish, and speciality produce of all kinds - including local cheeses, fruit and vegetables, and specialities that do the rounds of other markets around the country - is on sale at the famous city centre Saturday Market. Restaurants in the area showcase local produce, and - although there is at present no major dining destination here - there are many good places to eat in both city and county.

The fastest growing city in The European Community, Galway today confidently beckons you to the most lively, liveable city in Ireland. With a population if 60,000, it has become the third city of Ireland after Dublin and Cork.

Galway is a compact city and easy to explore on foot. Start your explorations in Eyre Square. This city centre square is home to two cannons from the Crimean war and a statue of the Galway-born writer Padraic O’Conaire. Stroll down William Street and Shop Street – the main routes into the city’s bustling “Latin Quarter.” The 16th century town house known as Lynch’s Castle stands on the corner of Shop Street and Abbeygate Street Upper. Now a bank, it was once the home of one of Galway’s most powerful ruling families – the Lynches. Shop Street is also home to Galway’s finest medieval building – the Collegiate Church of St. Nicholas. It is the largest medieval parish church in Ireland still in use. Stroll along the old quays and check out the 16th century Spanish Arch. Galway was originally protected by city walls and The Arch appears to have been constructed in order for ships to come into the harbour and unload their goods – often wine and brandy from Spain.

If you feel like a swim or the thrill of the dodgems, head for Salthill, an old-fashioned seaside resort just west of the city. A trip to the famous Druid theatre is well worth it. There’s a great market on Saturday mornings beside St. Nicholas’s church selling everything from vegetables to paintings.

Galway is also the gateway to Connemara – a region of spectacular beauty lying west of the city. A trip here is an absolute must. less

Featured Establishment

Eat

Corrib House Tea Rooms & Guest Accommodation

Co. Galway

Café / Guesthouse

This handsome waterside Georgian house was built on the early 1800's and completely re ...

more...

Featured Establishment

Drink

Ruibin Bar & Restaurant

Co. Galway

Bar / Restaurant

In a prominent corner site on Galway’s historic docks, and a just few minutes wa ...

more...

Featured Establishment

Stay

Heron's Rest Boutique Accommodation

Co. Galway

B&B

The name of Sorcha Molloy’s delightful accommodation is far from fanciful - when ...

more...

Featured Establishment

Buy

Gourmet Tart Co.

Co. Galway

Baking/Bakery / Café / Producers Shop / Restaurant

Already well known for their popular Galway patisseries/delis, Fintan and Michelle Hyl ...

more...

Featured Establishment

Learn

Aniar 2.0

Co. Galway

Restaurant

JP McMahon and Drigin Gaffey opened Aniar in 2011. It immediately became the m ...

more...

Featured Establishment

Producer

Twelve Hotel, The

Co. Galway

Baking/Bakery / Bar / Hotel / Restaurant

Despite recent development at this seaside village, Barna has retained some of its old ...

more...

Gardens

Ashford Castle - Cong County Mayo Ireland

Ashford Castle Hotel & Gardens

Cong, Co. Mayo

Ireland’s grandest castle hotel, with a history going back to the early 13th century, Ashford Castle is set in 350 acres of parkland, and anyone who loves beautiful surroundings will be thrilled to stay here - or even simply call in for a m ...

View all Read on

Golf

Glenlo Abbey Golf Club

Galway City, Co. Galway
Course Type: Parkland

This unique 9 Hole Double Green Golf Course offers a challenging test to all golfers. A lake side golf course, although fair to the beginner can also be a great test to the low handicapper. With the many lakes, trees, large greens, and the wi ...

View all Read on

Self Catering

Railway Cottage

Oughterard, Co. Galway

Railway Lodge is an exceptional country home, in the heart of Western Ireland's Connemara mountainous region. It takes its name from the nearby disused Galway to Clifden railway which closed in 1936. It was 60 years later, in 1996, that the Lodge ...

View all Read on

What's On

Moycullen Farmers Market - Co Galway - Fridays

Moycullen Farmers Market - Every Friday, 1 - 7pm

An Fuaran (opposite The Forge Pub), Moycullen, Co Galway

Contact: Gerry Geoghegan 087 267 2371

View all Read on

Tourist Attractions

Athenry Castle

Athenry, Co. Galway

Meiler de Bermingham built Athenry Castle c.1250, it is a large rectangular building originally containing only a hall at first-floor level and dark storerooms at ground level, the oldest part of the castle is the hall-keep. The fine carvi ...

View all Read on

Wedding Venues

Ardilaun Hotel Galway

Galway City, Co. Galway

This comfortable wedding venues in a romantic woodland setting has a large 1840s house at its heart and, despite its proximity to Galway city and periodic extensions and renovations, it has not been over-decorated and retains a pleasant country a ...

View all Read on