County Galway Things to Do

 
by pure1942
 
  •   Things to Do
    by pure1942
  •   Things to Do
    by pure1942
  •   Things to Do
    by pure1942
  •   Things to Do
    by pure1942
  •   Things to Do
    by pure1942
 

Most Viewed Things to Do in County Galway

1.

Archaeology, castles and ruins   Galway

Archaeology, castles and ruins, Galway

 27 Reviews  This arch is one of the oldest buildings in Galway, dating back to 1584. Although the name suggests a connection to Spain, no real link has been ascertained. It was originally known as the 'head of... 

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2.

Dun Aengus   Inishmore

Dun Aengus, Inishmore

 12 Reviews  You will have to go to the visitor centre and pay your admission ticket (2 euro) before you can enter the fort. From here you have to go by foot towards the fortress Dun Aonghasa (Dun Aengus). It’s... 

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3.

Dún Aengus   Aran Island

Dún Aengus, Aran Island

 3 Reviews  One of the main tourist attractions on the island of Inishmore, is the vast stone fortification. Perched on the side of a steep 300 meter high cliff at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, it dates back to... 

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4.

The Burren   Galway

The Burren, Galway

 16 Reviews  We drove from the Cliffs of Moder up to Galway and without a doubt it was the most spectacular drive I have ever made in my life. It is just GORGEOUS. And it changes every 10km from moonscape, to... 

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5.

Kilronan   Inishmore

Kilronan, Inishmore

 6 Reviews  When the boat docks in Kilronan, wide-eyed tourists flood the streets and the bus and cart drivers know it. Ample transportation is available to any part of the island for a fee. We waited out the... 

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6.

Beaches and shorelines   Galway

Beaches and shorelines, Galway

 11 Reviews  Grattan beach is a smallish horse-shoe shaped beach that is situated on the Western side of Salthill, making it almost in Galway. The beach is of couse the place to soak up those rays, strip off and... 

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7.

Seven churches   Inishmore

Seven churches, Inishmore

 6 Reviews  This ancient site of two churches and a graveyard (the 7 Churches name comes from other buildings on the site that most likely were homes of the monks) is fascinating. One passes through the wall and... 

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8.

Public Buildings and City Landmarks   Galway

Public Buildings and City Landmarks, Galway

 23 Reviews  This sculpture in the city centre was a gift from the Estonian city of Tartu to Galway in 2004. It is a replica of a sculpture in Tartu. It shows the Irish writer Oscar Wilde and the Estonian writer... 

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9.

Dun Dúbhchathair   Inishmore

Dun Dúbhchathair, Inishmore

 2 Reviews  This fort is also located on the edge of a high cliff, it’s situated at the southern side of Inis Mór. The construcion consists of a extended part which was defended by a bended wall and a “chevaux de... 

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10.

Religious buildings   Galway

Religious buildings, Galway

 19 Reviews  Galway's cathedral is Europe's newest stone cathedral, dedicated as recently as 1965. Nevertheless, it is an imposing sight on the banks of the River Corrib. It is usually open between 8.30 am and... 

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11.

Hills and Mountains, Islands and Rivers   Galway

Hills and Mountains, Islands and Rivers, Galway

 13 Reviews  One of the shortest rivers in all Europe, the Corrib connects the expansive Lough Corrib to the north with Galway Bay to the south, passing through Galway City before emptying into the sea. You can... 

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12.

Music, dancing and beer   Galway

Music, dancing and beer, Galway

 8 Reviews  This pub has live music that starts around 1930 so you don't have to stay up all night. If you get there early enough, you can get a seat one table removed from the piano (across from the bar) so you... 

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13.

Towns and villages worth a visit   Galway

Towns and villages worth a visit, Galway

 6 Reviews  One of the most common trips out for day from Galway is to visit the wilds of Connemara. The twelve Bens (mountains) dominate the landscape they rise up between the peat bogs in a majestic way (oh... 

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14.

Festivals   Galway

Festivals, Galway

 9 Reviews  Galway comes alive during the world famous Galway races. Its an experience for everyone - even if like me you've no interest in horses - its all about the incredible atmosphere that makes the whole of... 

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15.

Amusement and leisure   Galway

Amusement and leisure, Galway

 4 Reviews  Salthill, the seaside town couple of miles from Galway has a number of casinos. Don't however think of the place as a kind of mini Las Vegas. The tawdry collection of so called casinos are only one... 

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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Letterfrack & the Connemara National Park

by globetrott

Connemara National Park is a big area east of Clifden and south of Leenane and it includes 4 of the 12 bens - umong them is Benbaun, which is the highest of them with 730 meters. Inside that National Park you may also see plenty of megalith graves, dating back more than 4000 years.You may walk through the national Park all year long, but the Visitor centre is only open during summer, daily between May and September.More infos and pics are to be found on their web-page - click on my link below !

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Galway's own set of keys

by sourbugger

Travelling west from Galway on the road to Clifden it is possle to take in a delightful backwater. The road to lettermore winds gently over a rumber of narrow stone bridges that connect the little island group. In some ways in reminded me of a kind of mini Irish version of the Florida keys. These island vary in size from a couple of miles to postage stamp size. This strongly Gaelic speaking area is windswept and brutal in it's scenic beauty. I recommend visiting during a torrential thunderstorm permeated with low sunshine.The drive to the very end of the half dozen or so islands doesn't take too long and you will have seen a different side of Connemara to the traditional worn route of the average tourist.

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Connemara Loop Galway Ireland

by Patienceman

Hi guysI've been and back ;-) Great time :_)Just to let let yous know you can get a map and guide of the Connemara loop from most garages you stop at which does prove pretty uselful although most of the old timers in the area will disagree that this is the correct Connemara loop ! For the best portions of food you can try Bards Den in Letterfrack. The best pub I found was Paddy Coynes in Tullyfrack which is a very small village. Great guiness, great crowd and traditional music that night ( Sunday ). There are several taxis which you can get in the area if you ask the bar staff......as for the Connemara loop....its just a case of drive and stop whereever you want ;-)

No 1 : Now that's what I'm talking about !

by sourbugger

One of the most common trips out for day from Galway is to visit the wilds of Connemara. The unspolit widerness is shared between County Galway and County Mayo. The twelve Bens (mountains) dominate the landscape they rise up between the peat bogs in a majestic way (oh god, I’m no good at the purplely landscape writing stuff). They are just very beautiful. O.K ?Many visitors make it all the way out to Clifden, which is going just about as far west as it is possible without having to enter Canada. It’s geographical position led Marconi to set up his station nearby for transatlantic messages, and Allcott and Brown found the area very useful for crash-landing their plane. They only had to walk about 500 meters to Marconi’s station to telegraph the news of their historic arrival. The ‘Sky road’ (see tip on Clifden) is a road that proffers up some implausibly beautiful views. The location of...

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Galway Top Ten : King's Head Pub, Galway (7)

by sourbugger

The King's head pub stands on the main street in galway city and dates from 1649. It is a great pub to visit with good music, food and beer.For years I didn't realise the significance of the name and the date - but then I got wise !In 1649 Oliver Cromwell was in power in England, and he needed the previous king, Charles 1st executed. The normal executioner refused, and the story goes that no Englishman could be found to do the deed. Eventually two soilders from Galway offered to do the job called Gunning and Dear. Gunning was selected. One of the last things that Charles 1st was reputed to have said was "How does my hair look ?", well it takes allsorts I suppose.With the benefit of a mask, Gunning performed the beheading in Whitewall, London. His reward was to be given the land that the King's head stands on. Being a good Irishman, the first thing he did was build a pub !Some features of...

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Galway Top Ten : Athenry (4)

by sourbugger

'The Fields of Athenry' is a song known all over the world. Many presume that the song has a long history, but it was in fact written in 1979 by 'The Dubliners'. Others claim that they have modified a song from 1888 .These days it is often sung at various gathering and has become embedded into the 'celtic cultural landscape'. It is song ( like 'Galway bay' as well) that Irish mothers will be singing to the offspring for decades to come.First stop on any visit is obviously the quite impressive three-story Norman castle built by Meiler de Bermingham, who was granted much of the lands of Connaught in 1235. Following an attack on the castle in 1316, town walls were erected. The ruined abbey is just across the road from the castle and grounds in Athenry, and was founded in 1241 by Meiler de Bermingham - the same bloke who built the castle. I guess planning permission was more easily gained in...

Galway Top Ten : Clonfert Cathedral (8)

by sourbugger

Clonfert (yes, i've never heard of the place either) is Ireland's smallest diocese. Must be the sort of place that Father Ted would aspire to.The Cathedral at Loughrea, although only the size of a reasonably large parish is a little gem.Begun in 1897, it marries the Celtic revival movement with the arts and crafts movement. This means that unlike most cathedrals that are a mixture of different architectural styles from differing eras.The interior is thus more important than the somewhat ordinary exterior. The wooden Church furniture have a certain homely quality to them, as you might expect. The stained glass windows are of an exceptionally high standard.There is a 30 minute audio tour available, which I somehow missed and a small museum (closed when I was there).

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Galway Top Ten : Galway waterside (5)

by sourbugger

A walk by the river is an absolute must in Galway. If you just head for the Cathedral, you will soon find the River Corrib and the small canal at the side of it. The Corrib itself is a Salmon river and was originally called the Galway river, meaning "short stony river". It is in fact the shortest river in Europe (2 miles), and also (with a little bit of dodgy maths) also the most powerful. It is a very picturesque place to relax, and many students from the nearby university find it a convivial place to "chill out" and even on occasions do some studying.You can extend the water theme of the walk by crossing over the Cathedral area and heading back by the Eglinton Canal which brings you back into town.On the Salmon Weir bridge, try and spot the small wooden sculpture of a leaping Salmon. The river is renowned for it's salmon, and you can often see anglers in waders pitting their wits...

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Galway Top Ten - Eyre Square, Galway (6)

by sourbugger

Eyre square in Galway is the focal point of the town. The city fathers made a real mess of it in the 1960s, and have had a go at at it again reecently. The plans for the current re-development were as good as far as they went, but they really have missed an opportunity to banish traffic from the area entirely and put in some kind of impressive focal point.The square is still a place to hang out in the summer and soak up the rays (such as they are in Ireland) with a motley collection of new-age hippies, backpackers, young lovers and drunks taking up all the available green space. In former times it has been the scene of more important events , such as a speech given by JFK a few months before his assassination in Dallas. In 1965 the square was re-named the Kennedy memorial Park, but I've never heard that term being used. You can find a little bust of him next to the Children's playground...

Galway Top Ten : Aran Islands & fort (3)

by sourbugger

When you land in the Aran Island largest village Kilronan,, there is a sign of the Quayside that reads ‘Keep out. Danger’. Except here in a piece of reverse graffiti the ‘D’ has been painted out. That’s just the kind of sentiment that is appropriate here.The main island, Inis Mor is in danger of becoming a kind of ‘Lepricorn Disneyland’, with a variety of diversions to keep the twee tourist happy for the day. Despite the reliance on tourism, it is still possible to find quiet places on the Island where you still feel free from the tourism machine that is 21st century Ireland.A pre-historic tribe, the Fir Bolg, built Dun Aonghasa fort. This is the main tourist site on the island. The series on concentric circles together with a collection of standing stone designed to repel attack by horseback stands as a monument to these resourceful people.In many ways it seems more impressive than...

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Fun things to do in County Galway

Top 3 Hotels in County Galway

Park House  Galway

 2 Reviews and 655 Opinions  I selected the Park House Hotel because it is very convenient to both the bus and train stations in... 

 Hotels in Galway

Mainistir House Hostel  Inishmore

 66 Opinions

 Hotels in Inishmore

Clifden Station House Hotel  Clifden

 258 Opinions

 Hotels in Clifden

199 Hotels in County Galway
 
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Reviews and photos of County Galway attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for County Galway sightseeing.

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Things to Do: Cities in County Galway
  1. Galway Things to Do
  2. Inishmore Things to Do
  3. Clifden Things to Do
  4. Aran Island Things to Do
  5. Athenry Things to Do
  6. Inisheer Things to Do
  7. Roundstone Things to Do
  8. Oughterard Things to Do
  9. Monivea Things to Do
  10. Gort Things to Do
  11. Kilronan Things to Do
  12. Claregalway Things to Do
  13. Loughrea Things to Do
  14. Tuam Things to Do
  15. Kinvarra Things to Do
  16. Portumna Things to Do
  17. Clarinbridge Things to Do
  18. Aughnanure Castle Things to Do
  19. Kylemore Things to Do
  20. Kilchreest Things to Do
  21. Rabbit Island Things to Do
  22. Carna Things to Do
  23. Gortmore Things to Do

More Cities in County Galway

 

Questions and Answers

abi4 profile photo

Q:  Hi, We're going to be visiting Ireland at the end of August, staying in Clifden. We'd like to make a day trip to Carrigaholt... 

leics profile photo

A: The AA routeplanner is a very reliable site for working out routes and drivetimes: http://www2.aaireland.ie/routes_beta/ More so than sites such as... 

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