Galway History Walking tour with a Local Guide

What's included

What you'll see and do

1. Our accredited Guide will meet you at the FRONT entrance to the Hardiman Hotel in Eyre Square. Guide will accompany you to the main Square and give a brief overview of Galway's rich history.

   7 minutes here

2. Our accredited guide will accompany you to various Points of Interest and Iconic Buildings around the Square. . The first stop on the route is the John F Kennedy Memorial We visit historical sites including the old Browne Doorway and the Quin-centenary Fountain and talk about the 14-Tribes banners

   7 minutes here

3. We now emerge onto Williams-gate St. and encounter some landmark buildings including the elegant Browne Thomas building. We also pass by Jewellers shops who specialise in Galway's Claddagh ring. if time allows we stop at the Oscar Wilde statue, an Estonia gift to Ireland in 2004 !

   6 minutes here

4. Franciscan Church

   We now divert down Eglinton Street and pass by the Franciscan Friary church on the left. This old church has a little grave-yard at the rear which was a prominent place of burial in mid-17th and early 18th centuries.

   Pass by without stopping

5. Galway Courthouse

   We continue towards Courthouse Square, which used to have two iconic Courthouses - one for the county and one for the city. One remains today and the Town Hall Theatre is opposite.

   5 minutes here

6. Galway Cathedral

   Up ahead, from the newly-constructed pedestrian bridge over the River Corrib, our group will pause to view Europe's newest stone cathedral, the Galway Cathedral and the Franciscan Chapel.

   8 minutes here

7. Our tour route passes close to Bowling Green. Here was the family home of Ms Nora Barnacle who was a prominent Galwegian in years gone by. She famously dated Irish Writer, James Joyce on 16th June 1904, thereafter known as Bloomsday!

   Pass by without stopping

8. Lynch's Castle

   The tour returns via Galway's popular River Walk to the main city artery. We arrive at a two-street intersection and the iconic Lynch's Castle building. This building is the finest surviving Town-Castle in Ireland. The powerful Lynch clan once owned it. Your Guide explains the history of the building, its crests and roundels.

   15 minutes here

9. The tour continues by turning right into Church Lane, once called 'Dead Man's Lane' where funerals passed on way into old graveyard. We talk about St. Nicholas church-yard and continue on through Market St.

   10 minutes here

10. Saint Nicholas' Collegiate Church

    We arrive at the of St Nicholas' Collegiate Church accompanied by your Guide. He explains the history of this largest Medieval church in continuous use in Ireland. It was originally built as a Catholic Church but, today, functions as a Protestant Church. In 1477, Christopher Columbus is said to have worshipped here prior to his epic voyage of discovery! There's also much to see within this ancient building and we offer discounts tickets to join their guided tours which operate Mon-Fri. 11am and 2pm and Wednesdays 12pm and 3pm.

    8 minutes here · Admission included

11. The Lynch Memorial

    The Lynch Memorial window , erected in 1854 is full of legend. The mayor of Galway, Mayor Lynch is said to have hanged his own son at this location!

    8 minutes here

12. Galway's Latin Quarter

    We arrive in High Street, a section of Galway's Latin Quarter and encounter the iconic King's Head Pub. Legend has it that this pub site was gifted by Oliver Cromwell as payment to executioner of King Charles I. Also on this street we pass by the famous Naughton House, once owned by 'Humanity' Dick Martyn, an Irish MP in British Parliament.

    12 minutes here

13. Druid Theatre

    University graduates founded the now-famous Druid Theatre Company in 1975 in this city of culture. Druid has always maintained a vital relationship with writers, Tom Murphy and Martin McDonough. Many well-known Irish actors and directors have worked with the company down through the years.

    5 minutes here

14. The Spanish Arch

    The famous Spanish Arch is adjacent to open-space area, known as the Spanish Parade . This area once included the old Galway port until 1840. Old Galley ships arrived here from Spain with wines and spices for local merchant families. We also explain the significance of the Spanish Arch.

    7 minutes here

15. Hall of the Red Earl

    The tour now loops back towards the old Medieval site - The Hall of the Red Earl. This was once the castle residence of powerful Norman, Richard de Burgo. It was an important building up until the late 16th century. Its ruins had been lost for centuries till archaeologists discovered it in the late '90's.

    7 minutes here

16. The guide will explain that the Augustinian Order arrived in Galway in 1500 and setup an Abbey in the Forthil. Oliver Cromwell's English army banished them for a period but they returned in 1760 and established this building.

    Pass by without stopping

17. An Taibhdhearc

    The final stages of our City tour take us up Middle Street, where we pass by An Taibhdhearc. This is Ireland's only Irish-language theatre. It was established as a large-scale cultural project in the early 1920, when Ireland became a Free State. Micheal MacLiamor, the first director / manager worked there from 1928.

    3 minutes here

18. Gothic and Tudor Revival-style former cathedral - Abbeygate Street Lower

    Our final stop will be the former Cathedral Building at Middle St. / Abbeygate St. Galway. This old building was in use for many centuries but was deemed inadequate by Galway bishop, Dr Michael Browne in 1957.

    5 minutes here

Where it starts and ends

Before you book

Cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Languages

en

Ticket

Mobile Only

Runs on

Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat

Group size

Up to 15 travelers per booking

Operated by

Western Tours and Tales

Know before you go

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled by the Supplier due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
• NOTE: A shortened version of this City tour can be offered to guests with mobility issues. Our small team have plans in place to deal with emergencies.

Photos