Galway is filled with music, song, dance, theatre, comedy, festivals and more. Construction on the cathedral finished in the late 1950s, which makes it the youngest of Europes stone cathedrals. Easily one of the best free things to do in Galway is to simply head where the locals go, and make a beeline for Eyre Square. Top Things to Do in Galway with Discover Ireland There are three main viewing platforms, all of which offer different vistas, as well as O'Brien's Tower, which was built in 1835. There are plenty of things to do around Quay Street and the Latin Quarter and nightlife is one of them. 2. Explore Galway's Many Canals. However, the arrival of the Galway Christmas markets each year in late November adds another layer of brilliance to the city. Photo left: LUKinMEDIA (shutterstock). By subscribing to our mailing list, you agree to our Privacy Policy. If youre looking for things to do in Galway City thatll take you away from the crowds, take a wander out to Salthill. Parks. 43 Things to do in Galway ye'll LOVE (in 2022) - The Irish Road Trip Built in 1867 as a gift for Margaret Henry, Kylemore Abbey boasts an almost endless number of tales of romance, tragedy, spirituality, and innovation. One of the newer works of art is the Quincentennial Fountain with an abstract depiction of one of Galways typical Hooker, sailboats. 22 Best Things to Do in Galway, Ireland, in 2022 (A Local Guide) Jump into the Bronze Age with a visit to Dn Aonghasa on Inis Mr, keep an eye out for the enormous basking sharks on the water's surface near all three islands, and don't be afraid to take home an iconic souvenir - an Aran jumper. Theres plenty of other restaurants and pubs out here you can sample if you like. You pop into a pub for a pint and a friendly chat with a local. With every possible variety of scenery and a multitude of things to see and do Galway is an essential part of any visit to the Ireland. But Ireland's west coast holds just as much fun and culture, but offers more natural beauty and value for money. Wander the Latin Quarter after 10pm.especially on the weekend. Spending time in Galway City is one of the best things to do in County Galway. It is famous for its Heritage, Culture, Arts, Crafts, Tourism, beaches, and Food. This tight pedestrian street curves through a ravine of rustic stone houses that have elements dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries. At the height of summer theres a handy inter-island service allowing you to jump from place to place. Galway Christmas Market 2022: Dates + What To Expect, Everything You Need To Know About The Kilkenny Christmas Market 2022, Christmas Markets In Ireland 2022: 7 Worth Checking Out, What to do in Galway (outside of the city), 1. Galway is a small town situated along the west coast of Ireland. Over the course of 3 hours, youll explore Galway citys award-winning bars and restaurants and taste delicious foods from family-run businesses and artisanal producers. Go Bananas, MG Business Park, Tuam. Have a ramble around the fairytale-like Kylemore Abbey, 12. Theres a bronze cast of a statue of Pdraic Conaire, one of Irelands foremost Irish-language writers, and a bust of John F. Kennedy who had the freedom of Galway. Youll find the waterfall a stones throw from Leenane village on the River Erriff, just before the river meets Killary Harbour. Dn Aonghasa was originally constructed c.1100BC to impede attackers. Youll find the 16th century Menlo Castle on the banks of the River Corrib, a handy 12-minute cycle or a 10-minute drive from Galway City. 10 Best Things To Do In Galway, Ireland - Hand Luggage Only Sheltered among beachy coves along this Blue Flag-designated shoreline, you can sunbathe, explore amongst the rocks or dive in and join the swimmers in lapping up those Atlantic waves. Discover the many fantastic day tours throughout Galway; to the Cliffs of Moher, to Connemara and Kylemore Abbey, to the Aran Islands and more, and experience Irish culture and local traditions through food and drink experiences, walking tours and fishing trips. If youre looking for unique things to do in Galway, take a ferry over to Inis Mor island (one of the three Aran Islands) and cycle out to Dn Aonghasa. Youll have your pick of 500+ gins from across the world. The Top Things To Do In Galway Ireland | Visit Galway This walk, in particular, is well worth a crack. If youre on the hunt for classic Irish arts and crafts youll be in luck at the Latin Quarter, where shops like the Galway Woollen Market abound with traditional knitwear and are stocked with the local pure wool youll need for your own project. Top Things to do in GALWAY, IRELAND in 2023 | The Tour Guy Look for the herd of pure-bred Connemara ponies that live at the park. The arch is a former gate from when the city was walled to protect the city's quays. This is widely regarded as one of the best beaches in Galway, and for good reason it and the neighboring Gurteen Bay are out of this world. Dive on in below! If youre wondering what to do in Galway thatll keep you away from the hoards of tourists that flock to the city and Kylemore Abbey, get yourself out to Dogs Bay Beach. The Square is steeped in history, having been hosts to both President Kennedy and the Pope. Explore Sea Creatures at Galway Atlantaquaria. Visit the 49th state for unforgettable scenery and adventure. In this small and sociable place youll come by many of Galways favourite pubs, bars, restaurants, galleries and shops. So what are you waiting for? The 20 Best Things to Do in Galway, Ireland - moneyinc.com 3. Theres also a photography gallery documenting the city from the 1950s onwards, and artefacts like pipes, bottles and tin signs from Galways pubs dating to the 19th and 20th centuries. The fairytale-like Kylemore Abbey in Connemara is arguably one of the most iconic places to see in Galway. Mam ean is a fantastic walk through a pass in the Maumturk mountains, linking the Maum and Inagh Valleys. In 1920, Kylemore Abbey was originally built as a Benedictine monastery by nuns fleeing Belgium during WWI. (Here is the official market website for more info!) Cliffs of Moher & The Burren. Ive had many a feed from here and its always 10/10. Galway sits at the midpoint of Ireland's "Wild Atlantic Way" - a 2,500 km (1,500 mile) coastal road that winds its way from North to South along the Emerald Isle's western coast. The baptismal font is from roughly this period and has an image of a dog carved into its side, while the oldest ledger stone in the church belongs to one Adam Bures, dating back to the 1200s. Nurse a pint with a view in Roundstone, 10. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Galway is home to the Connemara National Park, the Aran Islands, Galway City, and the Wild Atlantic Way follows the Galway coastline up to its border with Mayo. 2. Saunter along here and take a moment to enjoy the sea life, and the sunset. Im not long back from a memorable night here. If youre looking forslightlyoff-the-beaten-path things to do in Galway, this should tickle your fancy. 10 Best Things to Do in Galway | U.S. News Travel In an isolated home in the countryside, dreams lie in tatters, hopes are dashed, and hearts broken. It was built in a neo-Romanesque style in 1853 as a way of keeping an eye on fish stocks and spotting any illicit fishing on the river. The land behind the promenade was set aside for farming until the Great Famine in the middle of the 19th century, and was then set up for early tourism in 1860 with the arrival of the Eglinton Hotel, which is still here today. Rumoured to be the most photographed castle in Ireland, the 16th-century tower house is undoubtedly picturesque. If, like me, you live a couple of hours from Galway, you may find yourself pointing the car out west and heading over on a Friday after work. Bernd Biege. 180. Explore the wide range of shops and markets which cater to the tastes of locals and visitors alike. Highlights include a stone ax head carbon-dated to 3500 B.C. Now, you can go inside Kylemore Abbey, if you fancy. It takes you from the gorgeous little village of Leenaun on the Killary Fjord to the often-overlooked town of Louisburgh in Mayo. Day 3: Day trip to Connemara and Cong. 33 Stellar Things To Do In Galway Ireland - The Whole World Or Nothing The Galway tourism website is another great resource for those of you in search of things to do in Galway at the weekend. 32 Best & Fun Things to Do in Galway (Ireland) A mighty few days. Youll find this little hidden gem a short drive or cycle from Roundstone Village where youll find plenty of places to grab a pre or post-walk bite-to-eat. Right in front of the Galway City Museum are the last surviving arches of the Ceann an Bhalla, or Front Wall. Situated in the Connemara National Park to the North of Galway City, the loop is a steady 7-kilometer walk to a height of 400 meters at the summit of Diamond Hill. "I feel more and more the time wasted that is not spent in Ireland." The Best Things to See and Do in Galway, Ireland - Culture Trip Street-performers and entertainers provide a constant folk soundtrack whether youre window shopping, seeing the sights or bar-hopping. Ive wanted to walk out to Salthill and hop off the diving board there for years. One of the top things to do in County Galway is to visit the tranquil island of Inishbofin, which lies 9km west of the mainland from Letterfrack. Lets explore the best things to do in Galway: A hook-shaped district of cobblestone streets in the old centre of Galway, the Latin Quarter is on the left bank of the River Corrib from OBriens Bridge down to the Spanish Arch. 1. Youll find the Glengowla Mines deep beneath a mountain in Connemara. Best Galway City Sightseeing Attractions & What To See in Galway Ireland Although it looks like it was built a couple of hundred years ago, its actually not that old.