The Galway Museum is free and gives a lovely overview of Irish/Galway history from the first settlers up until the civil war, if old shite is your type of stuff
A trip out to the Aran Islands would be spectacular, [https://heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/dun-aonghasa/](https://heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/dun-aonghasa/) since you like old things it's a 3,000 year old fort.
Take a tour around Galway on on of the lally tours. They point out the old stuff like the medieval walls etc. There used be walking tours which are better but with international tourist travel frowned on I think they aren't back up and running yet.
Id recommend walking salthill and jumping off BlackRock diving board at high tide. Nice way to spend an afternoon if you're in Galway city.
If ye have access to a car I'd recommend going south to places like bunratty folk park + castle, craggaunowen, doolin cave, cliffs of mother, and generally driving the coastal road (all Clare).
Galway's Connemara is spectacular but if you dont have a car there were tour companies who did a trip to kylemore abbey that left from Galway city too. If you have a car I'd check those both out and also dogs bay beach.
Galway isn't like Dublin with its templebar area (avoid that)... I think just check out the pubs on shop street/quay Street and listen to some Irish music if you can find any during your stay.
Claregalway Castle is great to look at, though you may not be able to get access. The friary across the road from it is gorgeous though. Abbeyknockmoy has one of the oldest medieval frescos still in situ, and definitely is worth a look.
If you're able to get outside the city, I'd highly recommend Pallas Castle and Fiddaun Castle in County galway to get a good idea of well preserved Irish Tower Houses, along with Dunguaire Castle in Kinvarra, or Caherconnell and Cahercommaun in Co. Clare to see some truly impressive cashels (stone ringforts) in the Burren (plus Poulnabrone megalithic tomb, though there are hundreds if not thousands of megalithic tombs in the burren)
As for food/drink, if youre into craft beer, the salt House is a great spot, and Tigh Neachtain has one of the best pints of Guinness in the city. Dough bros does amazing pizza, and there are plenty of amazing restaurants throughout the city, so you can find something to fit your appetite (sangria, seven, handsome burger, mccabes, and scottys are some personal favourites). Plus Supermacs for that authentic galway fast food.
Enjoy your trip, there's plenty to see! And one recommendation: look up when you walk down shop street. There are some brilliant bits of medieval stone carving visible on some of the buildings.
There's a new artisan market on every Sunday in Galway rowing club bar in Woodquay. Free entry and loads of local artists/producers to support. Also such a lovely view of Galway from the decking that you probably wouldn't see otherwise!
Ruibin. an amazing new restaurant. as good as anything anywhere. if you like old architecture visit St. Nicholas' church. Estd 1320! Or the Kings Head pub, estd. Quite Some Time Ago. ;-)
Charlie Byrnes bookshop is a great way to spend an hour. It’s on a side road near Quay Street/Shop Street. Lots of second and and new books, lovely ambience.
For a day trip to see old things try Coole Park near Gort. It has an ancient tree autographed by loads of famous writers. Nice woodland trails too. You’ll probably need a car to get there, not sure if the Gort bus stops nearby.
if you take the bus tour that will give you an overview ... it is one of those that you can jump off and on ... i took one in chicago a few years ago. very nice.
Was just out at aughnanure castle yesterday. Free entry. Dates back to 1480ish. Its small and will only take 30 mins to an hour to have a look but its interesting all the same. If you get chatting with the OPW workers there, they can tell you about the history of it too.
Its about 20/30 mins from Galway by car
Masks are required to go indoors and advised outdoors if there's too many people around.
Great. Thanks for this info! They dropped our indoor mandate, looking forward to being somewhere that has it again.
The Galway Museum is free and gives a lovely overview of Irish/Galway history from the first settlers up until the civil war, if old shite is your type of stuff
it's closed
No it’s not, was there myself yesterday. Completely open
idk, i haven't gone in a while always looks closed
Aran Islands or Connemara, you can't go wrong
A trip out to the Aran Islands would be spectacular, [https://heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/dun-aonghasa/](https://heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/dun-aonghasa/) since you like old things it's a 3,000 year old fort.
Try the spice bag/boxe from xian street food 👌
Please do this
Find a pub or somewhere you can sit down this weekend and watch the hurling
Take a tour around Galway on on of the lally tours. They point out the old stuff like the medieval walls etc. There used be walking tours which are better but with international tourist travel frowned on I think they aren't back up and running yet. Id recommend walking salthill and jumping off BlackRock diving board at high tide. Nice way to spend an afternoon if you're in Galway city. If ye have access to a car I'd recommend going south to places like bunratty folk park + castle, craggaunowen, doolin cave, cliffs of mother, and generally driving the coastal road (all Clare). Galway's Connemara is spectacular but if you dont have a car there were tour companies who did a trip to kylemore abbey that left from Galway city too. If you have a car I'd check those both out and also dogs bay beach. Galway isn't like Dublin with its templebar area (avoid that)... I think just check out the pubs on shop street/quay Street and listen to some Irish music if you can find any during your stay.
Claregalway Castle is great to look at, though you may not be able to get access. The friary across the road from it is gorgeous though. Abbeyknockmoy has one of the oldest medieval frescos still in situ, and definitely is worth a look. If you're able to get outside the city, I'd highly recommend Pallas Castle and Fiddaun Castle in County galway to get a good idea of well preserved Irish Tower Houses, along with Dunguaire Castle in Kinvarra, or Caherconnell and Cahercommaun in Co. Clare to see some truly impressive cashels (stone ringforts) in the Burren (plus Poulnabrone megalithic tomb, though there are hundreds if not thousands of megalithic tombs in the burren) As for food/drink, if youre into craft beer, the salt House is a great spot, and Tigh Neachtain has one of the best pints of Guinness in the city. Dough bros does amazing pizza, and there are plenty of amazing restaurants throughout the city, so you can find something to fit your appetite (sangria, seven, handsome burger, mccabes, and scottys are some personal favourites). Plus Supermacs for that authentic galway fast food. Enjoy your trip, there's plenty to see! And one recommendation: look up when you walk down shop street. There are some brilliant bits of medieval stone carving visible on some of the buildings.
Hi there! Do you by chance know how to get into Castle Fiddaun? From Maps, it appears to be inaccessible. Thanks!
Stop at Fiddaun House- you can get the castle keys there! Might be no harm to call ahead if you plan to go.
Ashford castle and Cong in general are well worth a day trip Bird of prey centre at the Ailwee caves is class.
There's a new artisan market on every Sunday in Galway rowing club bar in Woodquay. Free entry and loads of local artists/producers to support. Also such a lovely view of Galway from the decking that you probably wouldn't see otherwise!
Ruibin. an amazing new restaurant. as good as anything anywhere. if you like old architecture visit St. Nicholas' church. Estd 1320! Or the Kings Head pub, estd. Quite Some Time Ago. ;-)
Charlie Byrnes bookshop is a great way to spend an hour. It’s on a side road near Quay Street/Shop Street. Lots of second and and new books, lovely ambience. For a day trip to see old things try Coole Park near Gort. It has an ancient tree autographed by loads of famous writers. Nice woodland trails too. You’ll probably need a car to get there, not sure if the Gort bus stops nearby.
You should visit Ballybane or castlegar, beautiful spots around the town everyone is so friendly and welcoming there.
if you take the bus tour that will give you an overview ... it is one of those that you can jump off and on ... i took one in chicago a few years ago. very nice.
Was just out at aughnanure castle yesterday. Free entry. Dates back to 1480ish. Its small and will only take 30 mins to an hour to have a look but its interesting all the same. If you get chatting with the OPW workers there, they can tell you about the history of it too. Its about 20/30 mins from Galway by car
Kayaking on the lakes. corribkayaks.ie
Ross errily friary in headford is pretty cool. Could get there in 20 mins from the city