Top County Galway hotels
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Thankfully, since 1922, the nuns with the help of the National Heritage Council, European Regional Development Funds, the henerosity of the PAST PUPILS and many friends and benefactors, have been able to start its complete restoration!It has been a joy and satisfaction to all, that they now can invite the visitors to share the pleasure and peace of this architectural gem, because that really is what it is!
Thankfully, since 1922, the nuns with the help of the National Heritage Council, European Regional Development Funds, the henerosity of the PAST PUPILS and many friends and benefactors, have been able to start its complete restoration!It has been a joy and satisfaction to all, that they now can invite the visitors to share the pleasure and peace of this architectural gem, because that really is what it is!
Inside (were visitors are allowed to come to have a look) is this large dining room.The table is set with porcelain, silver and crystal as long ago when the building still was a real CASTLE .It made me feel hungry but waiting didn't help nor ringing the bel....no servants came to serve fine food....The only thing I could do was take a photograph of myself....in the mirror!!!
This ABBEY is the HOME OF THE IRISH BENEDICTINE NUNS WELCOME FROM MOTHER ABBESS & COMMUNITY! In 1868 the Mitchell Henry Family built Kylemore Castle and subsequently the beautiful Neo-Gothic Church which was to serve the family for as long as they lived in the castle.Their stay come to an end in a sad and tragic way.In 1920 the Irish Benedictine Nuns arriving from Belgium bought the property and the Castle then became Kylemore ABBEY.The little Neo-Gothic church became a centre of worship and admiration as visitors thronged to this haven of peace and exquisite scenic beauty.Connemara's CLIMATE is not very kind to buildings and over the years a process of erosion, dus to excess dampness, slowly invaded the Chruch rendering it dangerous and soon it was in need of complete restoration!
In the 19th Century KYLEMORE was built by an English shipping baron in the most fantastic TUDOR style.Nowadays it is a boarding school for girls but visitors are welcome to admire part of the building and the NEO-GOTHIC Church, which is restored in a wonderful way!I saw the girls going to the tennis courts and I heard many different languages: I suppose the girls' parents must be well-to-do people, sending a girl to this expensive school is no sinecure!
Killary in the northern part of Connemara is Ireland's only fjord, and the scenery is just gorgeous. There is also an adventure centre in Leenane, so you will certainly not get bored if you hang around there for a while. I have not visited the centre myself yet, so I don't know if it is any good. Their website looks very interesting, though.
Kylemore Abbey in Connemara is a Benedictine Abbey and beautifully situated on the shores of a lake. The things to see at Kylemore are the gardens (a shuttle bus will take you there and back), 3 or 4 rooms in the Abbey itself, and a Gothic church. There used to be a path up to a Jesus statue high up on the mountain behind the abbey, but unfortunately this has been closed.
Kylemore Abbey is the only Irish home of the Benedictine Nuns. Built originally as a Castle (1868) it is one of the best examples of Irish neo-gothic architecture, the estate features include a Victorian Walled Garden, restored Abbey reception rooms, Gothic Church, tranquil walks, craft shop, pottery, and restaurant.
Galway is the major city in this area and a lively,fun university town. There aren't many notable sights to see here, but it is a very enjoyable place to stroll around. There is a large pedestrian only medieval-like area filled with shops, pubs and restaurants and you will hear street musicians and see puppeteers. We spent the entire day just walking around, stopping at a few shops here and a few pubs there. We visited on a Sunday a few weeks before Christmas and this place was really hopping.
In the Connemara region, you will see many peat bogs. When you step on these bogs, it will feel very "spongy" ,a strange but interesting sensation. You may also see piles of turf, which are logs of peat which are cut and dried and for many years were used as a fuel source.
Park House Galway
2 Reviews and 657 Opinions I selected the Park House Hotel because it is very convenient to both the bus and train stations in...
Mainistir House Hostel Inishmore
66 Opinions
Clifden Station House Hotel Clifden
258 Opinions
Reviews and photos of County Galway attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for County Galway sightseeing.
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...
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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