Collegiate Church of St Nicholas of Myra

Crowned by a pyramidal spire, the Collegiate Church of St Nicholas of Myra is Ireland's largest medieval parish church still in use. Dating from 1320, the church has been rebuilt and enlarged over the centuries, though much of the original form has been retained.

Christopher Columbus reputedly worshipped here in 1477. One theory suggests that the story of Columbus' visit to Galway arose from tales of St Brendan's 6th-century voyage to America. Seafaring has long been associated with the church – St Nicholas, for whom it's named, is the patron saint of sailors.

After Cromwell's victory, the church was used as a stable, and damaged stonework is still visible today. But St Nicholas was relatively fortunate: 14 other Galway churches were razed entirely.

Parts of the church's floor are paved with gravestones from the 16th to 18th centuries; the Lynch Aisle holds the tombs of that illustrious Galway family. A large block tomb in one corner is said to be the grave of James Lynch, a mayor of Galway in the late 15th century, who condemned his son Walter to death for killing a young Spanish visitor. As the tale goes, none of the townsfolk would serve as executioner, so the mayor personally acted as hangman, after which he went into seclusion. Outside on Market St is a stone plaque on the Lynch Memorial Window, which relates this legend and claims to be the spot where the gallows stood.

During the day the church is usually all but empty and makes for a welcome escape from Galway's hubbub.