A Guide to the Best of Galway - City of the Tribes

The area around Salthill is popular with Irish visitors and has a long promenade where 'everyone meets everyone' on their evening strolls. It is a good place for value B&B accommodation.

The Claddagh by degreezero

The oldest part of the city, around the Spanish Arch and the Claddagh, has been extensively modernised in recent times, but you can get a feel for what life was like there in the past in the Galway Museum, an interesting folk museum featuring displays related to the fishing industry, which was and is an integral part of the cities tradition.

The city's hinterland is home to a huge number of craft workers. artists and artisan food producers and they come together every Saturday morning in the city centre to sell their wares at the Galway Market - a friendly and lively affair which is a must for anyone in the area at the weekend.

Everything in the city is within walking distance, and while to be honest attractions are few enough, most people come for the 'craic', the fun to be had on the streets, in the pubs and restaurants and especially at Galway's seemingly never-ending festivals.

Galway Nightlife

Galway is a student city and home to some of Ireland's best traditional musicians and so you can expect a lively night time scene, though it is based mainly around pubs. The more popular pubs include Tigh Neachtain, Pucán and the Quays all of which will have high quality traditional music sessions most nights of the week.

For non-traditional music try the King's Head or Cuba. Clubbers will find both live bands and dance music at the GPO, Cuba and 'the place'.

The famous Druid Theatre company usually has something worth seeing in their Chapel Lane theatre.

Galway is a relatively safe city and you should not encounter any problems walking around at night time. Although you will see a certain amount of public drunkeness, it is not of a threatening nature.

Recommended Things to See & Do

Galway Cathedral
Galway Cathedral is one of the city's largest buildings and its huge octagonal dome is visible for miles around. It is relatively new, completed in 1965, and unusually for a church of that period was built not of concrete but...

The Collegiate Church of St. Nicholas
St Nicholas' was established around 1320 and is named for St Nicholas of Myra, the patron Saint of seafarers. Local legand has it that Chistopher Columbus prayed here before he set out on his voyage to the new world. Over the...

Leisureland
Leisureland is a large sports and entertainments centre in Salthill, just a few minutes from Galway city centre. As well as a the three swimming pools, which are the main attraction, there is an outdoor amusement park with with...

What's on in Galway City

Galway Comedy Festival
Type: Comedy | Date: March 2009
Galway's comedy festival in 2008 had performers from USA, Iran, Australia, Canada and the UK joining a strong Irish line up in what was an even bigger and better event...

Galway Early Music Festival
Type: Music: Classical | Date: May 2009
The Early Music Festival has become a popular fixture in Galway's busy festival schedule, and is assuredly not an event that is just for muscial puritans! Details for 2009,...

Galway Races
Type: Sport | Date: 28th July - 3rd August
It's six days of hard partying and only the strong should even attempt to do the whole thing. There will be late nights with card games aplenty in every hotel for miles around,...

Galway Arts Festival
Type: Arts Festival | Date: 14th - 27th July
One of Ireland's longest established (2008 is it's 31st birthday) and most popular Arts Festivals and always a fun fortnight, with international programme of theatre,...

Galway Film Fleadh
Type: Film | Date: 8th - 13th July
For the 20th year the best in new and classic Irish and World cinema will be on view in Galway City. As well as a programme of short Irish movies there will be many overseas contributions,...

Galway International Oyster Festival
Type: Festival | Date: 25th-28th September
Now in it's 54th year, this very popular festival returns in 2008 and is one not just for lovers of the delicious bivalve but for anyone who fancies a weekend of good...

Tulca - Season of Visual Arts
Type: Visual Arts | Date: November 2008
2008 will be the seventh year of the Tulca Festival, one of many in a crowded Galway festival calendar this year.  The word 'Tulca' means a wave, flood or deluge,...

Spirit of Voice Festival 2008
Type: Festival | Date: Nov 6th - 9th
A relative newcomer to the packed Galway festival calendar, Spirit of the Voice took place first in 2004 and has since grown into an established and popular cultural celebration...

Getting There & Getting Around

By Road

For detailed road directions from anywhere else in Ireland to Galway City please use the AA Ireland Route Planner.

By Air & Sea

Galway Airport has regular flights from Dublin and several UK destinations. Shannon Airport, about an hour and 15 minutes away, has regular flights from Europe and the USA. Knock Airport, a similar distance away, has flights from the UK and other Irish Airports.

By Train & Bus

There are regular Irish Rail trains from Dublin. Regular Bus Eireann buses link Galway with all major towns and cities.

Getting Around

The city centre is small and walking is the best way to get about. Outside of the centre most attractions and suburbs are a short bus or taxi ride away.