Must-see attractions in Galway City

  • Galway, Ireland - June 17th 2005: Teenagers, some with backpacks, sitting on the bank of river Corrib, front the Galway City Museum.

    Galway City Museum

    Galway City

    Exhibits at this modern, three-floor museum engagingly convey the city's archaeological, political, cultural and social history. Look out for an iconic…

  • panish Arch Next To The River

    Spanish Arch

    Galway City

    The Spanish Arch is thought to be an extension of Galway's medieval city walls, designed to protect ships moored at the nearby quay while they unloaded…

  • Pile of colorful fresh vegetables, red and white onions in Galway food market, Ireland.

    Galway Market

    Galway City

    Galway's bohemian spirit comes alive at its street market, which has set up in this spot for centuries. Saturdays are the standout for food, when farmers…

  • Eyre square in Galway Ireland

    Eyre Square

    Galway City

    Galway's central public square is busy in all but the harshest weather. A welcoming open green space with sculptures and pathways, its lawns are formally…

  • Sky's the Limit

    Galway Cathedral

    Galway City

    Rising over the River Corrib, imposing Galway Cathedral is one of the city's finest buildings. Highlights include a beautifully decorated dome, attractive…

  • Atlantaquaria

    Galway City

    More than 150 freshwater and sea-dwelling creatures from local waters swim in Ireland's largest native-species aquarium, including seahorses, sharks and…

  • The Fisheries Watchtower on the River Corrib, Galway City, Ireland.

    Fishery Watchtower

    Galway City

    Constructed in the 1850s, this butter-coloured Victorian tower was used to monitor fish stock levels (and poachers). Now restored, the unique trilevel…

  • Sea at Salthill

    Salthill Promenade

    Galway City

    A favourite pastime for Galwegians and visitors alike is walking along the Salthill Prom, the 2km-long seaside promenade running from the edge of the city…

  • Hall of the Red Earl

    Galway City

    In the 13th century, when the de Burgo family ruled Galway, Richard – the Red Earl – erected a large hall as a seat of power, where locals would arrive to…

  • Salmon Weir

    Galway City

    Upstream from Salmon Weir Bridge, which crosses the River Corrib just east of Galway Cathedral, the river cascades down the great weir, one of its final…

  • Collegiate Church of St Nicholas of Myra

    Galway City

    Crowned by a pyramidal spire, the Collegiate Church of St Nicholas of Myra is Ireland's largest medieval parish church still in use. Completed by 1320, it…

  • Lynch Memorial Window

    Galway City

    James Lynch Fitzstephen was the mayor and magistrate of Galway in 1493. So the story goes, when his son was condemned for the murder of a romantic rival…

  • Lynch's Castle

    Galway City

    Now an AIB Bank, this excellent example of a town castle was built around 1500 (the exact date is unknown). The facade's stonework includes ghoulish…

  • Oscar Wilde & Eduard Vilde Statue

    Galway City

    An earnest conversation takes place between Irish writer Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) and Estonian writer Eduard Vilde (1856–1933), sitting on a granite bench,…

  • Browne Doorway

    Galway City

    Guarding the upper side of Eyre Square, this out-of-context doorway (1627) is an imposing, if forlorn, fragment from the home of one of the city's…