Located on the west coast of Ireland, Galway is a thriving and busy city at the mouth of Gaillimh river (River Corrib). As Ireland’s fastest growing city, Galway is popular with tourists looking for a true Irish experience. Galway is often referred to as ‘the bilingual capital of Ireland’ due to the strength of the Irish language, traditional music, dance and song in the city.
Music lovers from all over the world flock to Galway to experience real Irish music, enjoyed while perched on a stool in one of the many quaint pubs, sipping on a pint of Guinness. Eyre square, which is located in the center of the city in a pedestrian zone, is popular for shopping. At the bottom end of the pedestrian zone, it is possible to see the remains of the original city walls and to glimpse great views of the famous Galway Bay.
For those lucky enough to plan their trip to Galway for the end of September, the Galway International Oyster Festival is a real treat. Thousands of people from all over the world descend on the city for some of the best seafood, especially oysters. Of course any local will tell you there is only one thing that improves oysters – Guinness. Even if you don’t make it in September, seafood is a specialty of many restaurants in the city all year round.
Highlights
Corrib Princess: this 90-minute boat cruise commentated by local historians takes in some of the best historical sites viewed from the comfort of the twin-decked Corrib Princess.
Galway Cathedral: officially known as ‘Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and St Nicholas’, this relatively modern cathedral has a Connemara marbled floor as well as statues and windows designed by contemporary artists.
Galway Irish Crystal Heritage Museum: experience the history of Irish craftsmanship that has evolved over decades to make some of the finest crystal in the world.
Coast Road Tour: head out from Galway city and enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery, stopping occasionally in small towns to experience the slow way of rural Irish life.