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:

Castlegar (Galway By.) Church GA09753Knocknacarragh Ringfort - unclassified GA04296Cloghatisky House - 18th/19th century GA04295Newcastle (Rahoon Par.) Redundant record GA13934Terryland Quarry GA09750Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Architectural fragment GA14170Ballybaan More Souterrain GA03600Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Architectural feature GA14147Tawin West Enclosure GA05221Bearna (Gaillimh) Ritual site - holy well GA04268Ballybaan Beg Church GA04289Ceathr?Ü An Bhr?Ünaigh Inscribed stone GA12536An Pollach (Tc Bearna) Redundant record GA03595Ballybrit House - indeterminate date GA12537Tawin West Souterrain GA10784Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Graveslab GA12717Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Fortification GA14559Tievegarriff Redundant record GA13456Derryloney Midden GA04271Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Bastioned fort GA04354Shantallow (Galway By.) Earthwork GA04339Rahoon Designed landscape feature GA04320Dangan Lower Designed landscape feature GA03658Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Structure GA12963Murroogh Redundant record GA10321Ardfry Designed landscape - folly GA04280Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Castle - hall-house GA13420Tievegarriff Burial ground GA04341Rahoon Ecclesiastical enclosure GA12688Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Water mill - unclassified GA13427Knocknacarragh Ritual site - holy well GA04297Rahoon Designed landscape feature GA10328Townparks (Galway By., Rahoon Par.) Redundant record GA04344Kentfield House - 18th/19th century GA03631Tawin West Stone circle GA10786Ballinfoile Quarry GA09728Menlough Designed landscape feature GA09745Coolagh (Galway By.) Mass-rock GA09762Townparks (Galway By., Rahoon Par.) Quarry GA10338Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Water mill - unclassified GA13429Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Tomb - unclassified GA12718Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Kiln - lime GA14556Glenanail Quarry GA09738Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Tomb - unclassified GA12713Rinmore Designed landscape - tree-ring GA04322Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Memorial stone GA12708Newcastle (Rahoon Par.) Architectural fragment GA13445Tawin West House - indeterminate date GA13476Knocknacarragh Hilltop enclosure GA04274Ardfry Midden GA04365Townparks (Galway By., Rahoon Par.) Fortification GA04363Terryland Redundant record GA09751Tievegarriff House - 18th/19th century GA10332Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Leacht GA13442Terryland House - 17th century GA03654Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Cross - Market cross GA13433Cappanaveagh Ringfort - unclassified GA04294Ballindooly Redundant record GA09723Townparks (Galway By., Rahoon Par.) Redundant record GA13448Ballybaan Beg House - 18th/19th century GA09755Killeen (Ballintemple Ed) Designed landscape feature GA09740Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Bastioned fort GA13401Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Water mill - unclassified GA13431Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Quay GA13438Menlough Cairn - clearance cairn GA10970Knocknacarragh Water mill - horizontal-wheeled GA04273Tawin West Enclosure GA11111Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Wall monument GA12706Tawin West Ringfort - rath GA05220Townparks (Galway By., Rahoon Par.) Designed landscape feature GA04342Rinmore Fulacht fia GA04366?Üit T?Ì Seonac Enclosure GA03576Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Church GA13409Cappanaveagh House - 18th/19th century GA10315Newcastle (Rahoon Par.) Church GA04308Dangan Lower Redundant record GA09734Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) House - 16th/17th century GA14177Dangan Lower Designed landscape feature GA03626Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Tomb - unclassified GA12712Rahoon Ringfort - unclassified GA10350Galway Bay Monumental structure GA14185Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Bastioned fort GA03657Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Ritual site - holy well GA04352Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Inscribed slab GA12705Rahoon Ritual site - holy well GA04314Ballinfoile Quarry GA09724Bushypark Dovecote GA14413Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Ritual site - holy well GA13435Ballinfoile Quarry GA09725Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Graveyard GA12701Ballybaan Beg Graveyard GA10243Merlinpark Midden GA14422An Rois?Ìn Designed landscape feature GA04276Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Cross GA13434Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Wall monument GA12703Shantallow (Galway By.) House - 18th/19th century GA10337Dangan Lower Enclosure GA14694Lenaboy Burial ground GA04298Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Graveslab GA12714Rinmore Bastioned fort GA04321Shantallow (Galway By.) Quarry GA10334Townparks (Galway By., Rahoon Par.) Settlement cluster GA10344Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Mill - unclassified GA12719Townparks (Galway By., Rahoon Par.) Bridge GA13404Ceathr?Ü An Bhr?Ünaigh Redundant record GA09729Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Tomb - unclassified GA12711Kilcorkey Ritual site - holy well GA04348Townparks (Galway By., Rahoon Par.) Graveyard GA10342Newcastle (Rahoon Par.) Dovecote GA04309Newcastle (Rahoon Par.) Ringfort - unclassified GA03649Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Weir - regulating GA13437Merlinpark Sheela-na-gig GA14095Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Stone sculpture GA14144Cappagh (Galway By.) Fulacht fia GA04278Mutton Island Battery GA04304Townparks (Galway By., Rahoon Par.) Chapel GA10341Dangan Lower Designed landscape - summer house GA03625Ballinfoile Quarry GA09726Castlegar (Galway By.) Redundant record GA09730Coolagh (Galway By.) Architectural fragment GA09759Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Wall monument GA12704Ballindooly Quarry GA09722Terryland Castle - unclassified GA03653Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Designed landscape - folly GA09752Merlinpark Castle - tower house GA04299Townparks (Galway By., Rahoon Par.) Redundant record GA04345Coolagh (Galway By.) Kiln - lime GA09758Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Architectural feature GA14143Pollnarooma East Stone circle GA04310Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Water mill - unclassified GA13428Tievegarriff Redundant record GA13455Castlegar (Galway By.) Redundant record GA09731Galway Bay Monumental structure GA14184Rahoon Well GA10329Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Bridge GA13406Rahoon Enclosure GA13263Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Town hall GA13418Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Ritual site - holy well GA04350An Rois?Ìn Designed landscape feature GA04275Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Causeway GA13405Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Castle - tower house GA13423Menlough House - 17th century GA09746Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Town defences GA13367Tawin West Enclosure GA11110Rahoon Megalithic structure GA04319Townparks (Galway By., Rahoon Par.) Religious house - Dominican friars GA04346Townparks (Galway By., Rahoon Par.) Bridge GA13403Coolagh (Galway By.) Ringfort - cashel GA09760Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Water mill - unclassified GA13430Lough Corrib Crannog GA09761Rinmore Ringfort - rath GA04323Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Church GA12700Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Dovecote GA13432Menlough Designed landscape feature GA09744Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Bridge GA13407Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Prison GA04359Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Bastioned fort GA13402Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Weir - regulating GA13436Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Redundant record GA13447Knocknacarragh Midden GA10307Pollnarooma West Children's burial ground GA04311Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Mill - unclassified GA04360Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Architectural fragment GA12964An Poll Caoin Ritual site - holy well GA03651Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Metalworking site GA14558Menlough Castle - unclassified GA03642Bearna (Gaillimh) Castle - unclassified GA04267Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Religious house - Augustinian friars GA04355Rahoon Enclosure GA04316Rinmore Field boundary GA11448Tawin West Field system GA11112Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Historic town GA04356Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Tomb - unclassified GA12707Kilroghter Cairn - unclassified GA11150Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Graveslab GA12716Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Quay GA13439An Cnoc?Ün Carrach Graveyard GA10301Galway Bay Monumental structure GA14183Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Tomb - unclassified GA12710Menlough Burial ground GA03641Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Religious house - Franciscan nuns (Poor Clares) GA04361Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Castle - tower house GA13422Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Kiln - lime GA10345Parkmore (Galway By.) Quarry GA09747Ballagh Redundant record GA09721Rahoon Church GA04315Menlough Redundant record GA09743Baile An Bhr?Ünaigh Ritual site - holy well GA03590Ballybrit Redundant record GA14364Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Castle - Anglo-Norman masonry castle GA14555Cappagh (Galway By.) Quarry GA10302Rahoon Graveyard GA10244Rahoon Watchtower GA04318Ballybrit Castle - tower house GA03604Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Ritual site - holy well GA04351Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Town hall GA13419Shantallow (Galway By.) Redundant record GA10335Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Graveyard GA04353Ballymoneen West Redundant record GA04279Ballyburke Redundant record GA14365Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Mill - unclassified GA13446Tawin West Enclosure GA10785Ballinfoile Quarry GA09727Menlough Redundant record GA10959Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Tomb - unclassified GA12709Rahoon House - indeterminate date GA10327Shantallow (Galway By.) Designed landscape - folly GA04340Terryland Burial ground GA03656Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Armorial plaque (present location) GA14145Ballindooly Crannog GA13917Townparks (Galway By., Rahoon Par.) Redundant record GA04343Menlough Settlement cluster GA09754Dangan Upper Well GA09736Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Pier/Jetty GA13440Bushypark Enclosure GA13916Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Graveslab GA12715Dangan Lower Icehouse GA03623Tawin West House - indeterminate date GA13475Knocknacarragh Midden GA04272Kilroghter Redundant record GA09742An Cnoc?Ün Carrach Church GA04269Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Religious house - Franciscan friars GA04358Shantallow (Galway By.) Earthwork GA04338Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Hospital GA13413Mweeloon Midden GA04307Rahoon Bullaun stone GA03652Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Earthwork GA13400Dangan Lower Redundant record GA09735Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Castle - tower house GA13421Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.) Mill - unclassified GA10346Milestone,Rinmore Boundary stone GA04302Menlough Pillar stone (present location) GA03640.

Galway map

Galway UK Map