Galway

Galway

Galway is the perfect city to make your next vacation destination. With its breathtaking scenery and rich history, it’s no wonder that people are calling Galway Ireland’s hidden gem. This article will take you on a tour of some of the most popular attractions in this coastal town.

Galway is a city in the west of Ireland. It has been inhabited since before 2000 BC when it was settled by Celtic tribes, later becoming an important trading post for Phoenicians and Vikings. Galway’s rich history can be seen in many attractions around the town such as Lynch Castle and Museum where you will get to experience what life was like more than 400 years ago. You can also visit King House which tells the story of one family who owned this house over generations and how they survived through famine and civil war while retaining their wealth and status.

Another popular attraction nearby is Kylemore Abbey, originally called Kylemore Castle built by Mitchell Henry, a wealthy landowner from Connemara during 1867-1873 near his estate in Connemara.

Nearer the city centre, there is also The Latin Quarter which has many cafes and restaurants that are popular with students in Galway City at night. If you’re looking for a place to stay in the area, check out our website where we have an updated list of accommodation in Galway including hotels near Kylemore Abbey.

Hiking in Galoway

If you’re looking for a more active day then why not take advantage of the beautiful surroundings and go hiking. Fortunately, Galway is surrounded by dozens of mountains to explore like Mweelrea which stands at over 700 meters tall. This mountain can be explored if you take one of our recommended walking tours in Ireland taking you on an adventure through the mountain and the bog while you learn about local culture and history.

If hiking isn’t your thing, then why not try some other activities in Galway like kayaking or horse riding through Connemara National Park which is another popular tourist attraction where you can see the beautiful scenery on an outdoor adventure.

Attractions in Galway

There are also plenty of attractions to visit in Galway City itself including the famous Spanish Arch which was built during the 1580s and is one of Ireland’s most iconic landmarks. Another popular attraction is The Black Rose, an Irish traditional music pub located just off Shop Street where you can see some great live performances every night.

For those who are interested in shopping, there are plenty of unique boutiques where you can find some fantastic deals on clothes and jewellery. You’ll also be able to pick up souvenirs for your family back at home with the help of our recommended tours in Ireland which will take you around Galway City itself before dropping off at a local craft market to collect some fantastic bargains.

Created: 17  October  2021  Edited: 29  November  2023

Galway

Local History around Galway

There are some historic monuments around including:

Ballybrit Redundant record GA14364Kilroghter Cairn - unclassified GA11150Newcastle (Rahoon Par.) Ringfort - unclassified GA03649Tawin West Enclosure GA11111Townparks (Galway By., Rahoon Par.) Redundant record GA04345An Pollach (Tc Bearna) Redundant record GA03595Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Quay GA13438Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Dovecote GA13432Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Wall monument GA12703Townparks (Galway By., Rahoon Par.) Redundant record GA04343Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Kiln - lime GA10345Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Water mill - unclassified GA13427Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Wall monument GA12706Newcastle (Rahoon Par.) Dovecote GA04309Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Ritual site - holy well GA04350Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Leacht GA13442Glenanail Quarry GA09738Dangan Lower Enclosure GA14694Cloghatisky House - 18th/19th century GA04295Townparks (Galway By., Rahoon Par.) Redundant record GA13448Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Historic town GA04356Merlinpark Castle - tower house GA04299Castlegar (Galway By.) Church GA09753Cappanaveagh House - 18th/19th century GA10315Rinmore Bastioned fort GA04321An Rois?Ìn Designed landscape feature GA04276Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Castle - tower house GA13421Ballybrit House - indeterminate date GA12537Ceathr?Ü An Bhr?Ünaigh Inscribed stone GA12536Ardfry Midden GA04365Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Graveslab GA12715Rahoon Designed landscape feature GA04320Shantallow (Galway By.) House - 18th/19th century GA10337Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Cross GA13434Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Tomb - unclassified GA12713Menlough Castle - unclassified GA03642Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Kiln - lime GA14556Coolagh (Galway By.) Architectural fragment GA09759Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Earthwork GA13400Cappagh (Galway By.) Fulacht fia GA04278Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Bastioned fort GA04354Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Hospital GA13413Ballinfoile Quarry GA09725Bushypark Enclosure GA13916Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Tomb - unclassified GA12709Tawin West Enclosure GA05221Dangan Lower Designed landscape feature GA03658Menlough Burial ground GA03641Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Town hall GA13419Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Ritual site - holy well GA13435Rahoon Graveyard GA10244Kilcorkey Ritual site - holy well GA04348Tievegarriff Redundant record GA13456Newcastle (Rahoon Par.) Redundant record GA13934Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Graveslab GA12714Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Memorial stone GA12708Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Quay GA13439Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Tomb - unclassified GA12710Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Stone sculpture GA14144Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Prison GA04359Castlegar (Galway By.) Redundant record GA09730Ballindooly Crannog GA13917Cappanaveagh Ringfort - unclassified GA04294Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Water mill - unclassified GA13429Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Bridge GA13407Galway Bay Monumental structure GA14184Ballybaan Beg Graveyard GA10243Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Bastioned fort GA13402Menlough Redundant record GA10959Rahoon Megalithic structure GA04319Killeen (Ballintemple Ed) Designed landscape feature GA09740Pollnarooma West Children's burial ground GA04311Mutton Island Battery GA04304Knocknacarragh Ritual site - holy well GA04297Tawin West Souterrain GA10784Ballybaan More Souterrain GA03600Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Wall monument GA12704Rahoon Enclosure GA13263Bushypark Dovecote GA14413Ballybaan Beg House - 18th/19th century GA09755Shantallow (Galway By.) Redundant record GA10335Tawin West Field system GA11112Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Bridge GA13406Baile An Bhr?Ünaigh Ritual site - holy well GA03590Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Architectural fragment GA14170Pollnarooma East Stone circle GA04310Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Ritual site - holy well GA04351Ballinfoile Quarry GA09728Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Bastioned fort GA13401Rahoon Church GA04315Parkmore (Galway By.) Quarry GA09747Menlough Designed landscape feature GA09744Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Inscribed slab GA12705Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Water mill - unclassified GA13430Ballymoneen West Redundant record GA04279Murroogh Redundant record GA10321Ballinfoile Quarry GA09726Coolagh (Galway By.) Kiln - lime GA09758Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Designed landscape - folly GA09752Rahoon Ritual site - holy well GA04314Knocknacarragh Hilltop enclosure GA04274Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) House - 16th/17th century GA14177Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Bastioned fort GA03657An Rois?Ìn Designed landscape feature GA04275Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Architectural feature GA14147Tawin West Enclosure GA11110Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Tomb - unclassified GA12712Townparks (Galway By., Rahoon Par.) Graveyard GA10342Bearna (Gaillimh) Ritual site - holy well GA04268Rahoon House - indeterminate date GA10327Ballyburke Redundant record GA14365Cappagh (Galway By.) Quarry GA10302Dangan Lower Redundant record GA09735Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Water mill - unclassified GA13431Menlough Designed landscape feature GA09745Rahoon Well GA10329Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Redundant record GA13447Townparks (Galway By., Rahoon Par.) Quarry GA10338Townparks (Galway By., Rahoon Par.) Bridge GA13404Mweeloon Midden GA04307Dangan Lower Designed landscape feature GA03626Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Structure GA12963Dangan Lower Icehouse GA03623Rahoon Ecclesiastical enclosure GA12688Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Weir - regulating GA13437Rahoon Bullaun stone GA03652Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Church GA12700Rinmore Fulacht fia GA04366Knocknacarragh Midden GA10307Shantallow (Galway By.) Designed landscape - folly GA04340Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Castle - hall-house GA13420Shantallow (Galway By.) Earthwork GA04339Terryland Burial ground GA03656Tawin West Stone circle GA10786Newcastle (Rahoon Par.) Architectural fragment GA13445Rinmore Designed landscape - tree-ring GA04322Merlinpark Sheela-na-gig GA14095Galway Bay Monumental structure GA14185Tievegarriff Redundant record GA13455Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Castle - tower house GA13423Merlinpark Midden GA14422Coolagh (Galway By.) Ringfort - cashel GA09760Newcastle (Rahoon Par.) Church GA04308Castlegar (Galway By.) Redundant record GA09731Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Graveyard GA12701Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Castle - Anglo-Norman masonry castle GA14555Knocknacarragh Midden GA04272Dangan Lower Designed landscape - summer house GA03625Menlough Redundant record GA09743Shantallow (Galway By.) Quarry GA10334Terryland House - 17th century GA03654Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Mill - unclassified GA04360Bearna (Gaillimh) Castle - unclassified GA04267An Cnoc?Ün Carrach Graveyard GA10301Dangan Lower Redundant record GA09734Townparks (Galway By., Rahoon Par.) Religious house - Dominican friars GA04346Tawin West House - indeterminate date GA13476Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Mill - unclassified GA13446Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Causeway GA13405Ballindooly Quarry GA09722Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Mill - unclassified GA12719Milestone,Rinmore Boundary stone GA04302Menlough Settlement cluster GA09754Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Religious house - Franciscan friars GA04358Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Religious house - Augustinian friars GA04355Derryloney Midden GA04271Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Tomb - unclassified GA12711Kilroghter Redundant record GA09742Ballybrit Castle - tower house GA03604Rahoon Designed landscape feature GA10328Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Graveslab GA12717Rahoon Ringfort - unclassified GA10350Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Water mill - unclassified GA13428Ballagh Redundant record GA09721Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Fortification GA14559Coolagh (Galway By.) Mass-rock GA09762Townparks (Galway By., Rahoon Par.) Fortification GA04363Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Castle - tower house GA13422Menlough Cairn - clearance cairn GA10970Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Ritual site - holy well GA04352Ceathr?Ü An Bhr?Ünaigh Redundant record GA09729Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Graveyard GA04353Kentfield House - 18th/19th century GA03631Menlough House - 17th century GA09746Tawin West House - indeterminate date GA13475Ballindooly Redundant record GA09723Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Architectural fragment GA12964Townparks (Galway By., Rahoon Par.) Designed landscape feature GA04342Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Architectural feature GA14143Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Town hall GA13418Townparks (Galway By., Rahoon Par.) Bridge GA13403Dangan Upper Well GA09736Tawin West Ringfort - rath GA05220Rahoon Watchtower GA04318Knocknacarragh Water mill - horizontal-wheeled GA04273Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Tomb - unclassified GA12718Rinmore Field boundary GA11448Ballybaan Beg Church GA04289?Üit T?Ì Seonac Enclosure GA03576Townparks (Galway By., Rahoon Par.) Chapel GA10341Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Church GA13409Ballinfoile Quarry GA09727Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Pier/Jetty GA13440An Poll Caoin Ritual site - holy well GA03651Rahoon Enclosure GA04316Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Weir - regulating GA13436Tievegarriff Burial ground GA04341Rinmore Ringfort - rath GA04323Tawin West Enclosure GA10785Ardfry Designed landscape - folly GA04280Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Cross - Market cross GA13433Knocknacarragh Ringfort - unclassified GA04296Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Metalworking site GA14558Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Mill - unclassified GA10346Terryland Quarry GA09750Terryland Castle - unclassified GA03653Tievegarriff House - 18th/19th century GA10332Ballinfoile Quarry GA09724An Cnoc?Ün Carrach Church GA04269Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Tomb - unclassified GA12707Galway Bay Monumental structure GA14183Lough Corrib Crannog GA09761Townparks (Galway By., Rahoon Par.) Settlement cluster GA10344Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Religious house - Franciscan nuns (Poor Clares) GA04361Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Town defences GA13367Townparks (Galway By., Rahoon Par.) Redundant record GA04344Terryland Redundant record GA09751Menlough Pillar stone (present location) GA03640Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Armorial plaque (present location) GA14145Shantallow (Galway By.) Earthwork GA04338Lenaboy Burial ground GA04298Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Graveslab GA12716.

Galway map

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