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

26.

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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27.

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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28.

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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29.

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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30.

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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31.

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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32.

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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33.

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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34.

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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35.

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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36.

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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37.

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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38.

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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39.

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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40.

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

Galway Top Ten : The Sky Road Clifden (2)

by sourbugger

It's difficult to write a tip for this place as the superlative available fall very short of the sheer beauty and majesty of the views afforded from the road. The road is about 7 miles long and runs out from Clifden, past a ruined Gothic pile, along the Atlantic shore. The road then forks to form a loop. The lower road runs near rthe cliff edge, whilst the connecting high road affords maginifent views out to the ocean. In driving terms it is not as spectaular (or dangerous) as an alpine pass or the Neapolitan riveria around Amalfi, but the scenery is just as impressive.I must have been to the road about half a dozen times over the years and each time the weather has been different, giving an impressive new nuance to the experience.

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Galway Top ten : Kinvarra & Castle (9)

by sourbugger

The castle at kinvarra is one of those 'iconic' photograph opportunities with the tiny, almost fairy-tale castle standing out on a little jut of land surrounded by the shores of galway bay.you can visit the castle for a few euros, or indulge in a 'medieval banquet' on a summer evening.The look of the castle always reminds me of the castle featured in the film 'monty python and the holy grail' where the french have taken over a castle, and features an increasingly bewildering array of daft insults.So, now I have a chance to say it : "I wave my private parts at your auntie !"Open Mid April to Mid October: 9.30-17.30Last admission 16.30Times subject to change.Medieval banquets twice nightly at 17.30 and 20.45, April-October (reservations necessary). Admission Adults €4.75; Children €2.95; Students/OAPs €2.95Group rates and family Tickets available. Facilities Toilets, Parking, Shop Contact...

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Galway Top ten : Knock Ma Hill (10)

by sourbugger

Knock Ma is a wooded hill that lies a few miles from Tuam, after the village of Belclare on the road to Headford.The local authority have put in a car park for a dozen or so cars and a well made, broad path that runs in a circular loop that encircles the hill. It passes within a about 30 meters of the summit which can easily be reached. The whole walk can't be more than a couple of miles, so it makes for a good brisk stroll. There is nothing very demanding, so bikes, pushchairs (stollers) and some wheelchairs could access it.The wooded glades and the views afforded of county Galway are reason enough, but the hill also has a reputation of being a 'fairy' stronghold. If the little people do exist, then they would surely live here. It is even said in local folklaw that the potato famine in thes parts was due to rampant infighting within the fairy-world and that the various factions could be...

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Dan O'Hara Homestead/Connemara Heritage Centre

by kevarms

This was a very rewarding place to visit. First of all we were treated to a couple of songs by the genial man at the ticket booth. I'm not sure if he does this for every visitor but we got 'Dan O'Hara' and, when he found out my namesake, 'Kevin Barry'. After paying for the ticket we short audio-visual presentation about the history of the area and a small museum. Then we got a few good stories from the singing man again, this time about his grandfather's exploits in the War of Independence. Highly entertaining. By the way, the gift shop here is excellent. None of the expensive tat you see in Dublin, this was good quality and reasonably priced. Outside in a lovely little garden are reconstructions of various prehistoric and early Christian buildings.After this it was on to the homestead higher up the mountain. Large groups are taken up in tractor-drawn carriage but, since it was just the...

Connemara

by Sagespot

Not to be missed! Probably one of the most beautiful spots in all Ireland. It's wild and wonderful all at once. The Connemara is immediately northwest of Galway city - a vivid patchwork of rusty bogs, lonely valleys, pale grey mountains, and small black lakes that shimmer when the sun shines. Inside the area you'll find the Twelve Bens - quartzite peaks of medium stature mountains.The coastal road of R336 skirts a tortuous series of small bays and inlets, and connects a sucession of Irish speaking villages and tiny towns.

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Kylemore Abbey

by Marla_D

This is a beautiful Gothic abbey which is home to a small number of nuns & boarding school. You can visit a number of rooms in the abbey, the walled gardens, and the chapel.It costs 13 Euro to enter the estate which I thought was a bit much. The best view of the abbey is from across the lake anyway and taking pictures from there wont cost you a cent!

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ARAN ISLANDS: Dún Eochla

by sabsi

Dún Eochla is another fort on Inishmore. Only very few tourists come here as it's in the middle of the islands, not on the coast. Hence it's one of the two still intact circular forts and quite impressive! It is said to have been a signal station for the nearby lighthouse sometime between 550 and 800AD.

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ARAN ISLANDS: Dun Aengus

by sabsi

Dun Aonghasa (Dun Aengus) is the most popular fort on Inishmore - it is also the biggest one as well as one of the finest prehistoric monuments in Europe! In summer you won't get a quiet moment to yourself here. People are literally queueing to get their picture taken at the scenic spots! Most people are more interested in the cliffs than in the fort itself here.

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ARAN ISLANDS: Dun Dúbhchathair

by sabsi

Dun Dúbhchathair or the Black Fort (a bit easier too pronouce ;) was the first fort we visited on Inishmore. It's the nicest one I think because - unlike Dun Aengus - its not full of tourists. When we were there on a nice sunny morning we were almost on our own, exploring scary cliffs, old walls and beautiful flowers.

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ARAN ISLANDS: Inishmore

by sabsi

Inishmore is the biggest of the three Aran Islands that lie west of Galway in the Atlantic. The island is quite long but at the most narrow spot it's not even 2 miles wide. (as you can see on the picture). The main town is Kilronan.You can reach Inishmore by ferry from Galway, from Rossaveal or from Doolin several times a day. No matter if you plan to stay for a few nights (which is nice as the island gets rather quiet at night) or of you come for a day trip, you will love it. There are several prehistoric forts, there are high scary cliffs, there are beaches and stone walls everywhere. Inishmore can be explored best by bike. A bike will cost you 10 Euro a day. From Kilronan cycle along the Coast Road for the best views!

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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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