Riverboat Private Cruise plus Historic Galway city tour, 3-hour

What's included

What you'll see and do

1. The Browne Doorway

   We start our tour here the main Square and give you a brief overview of Galway's rich history. The guide will outline the city's unlikely rise from a West Coast settlement to a wealthy and prosperous Walled city and the Anglo-Norman families, who became known as the 'Tribes of Galway'. We outline various Points of Interest around the Square including Iconic Buildings. The Historical aspects covered will include the medieval Browne Doorway, the Tribes of Galway Banners, the John F Kennedy memorial and the Quin-centenary Fountain.

   10 minutes here

2. Our tour group now progress down the main street artery along William Street and view the landmark and elegant Browne Thomas building dating back to 1870. We pause at the Oscar Wilde / Edward Wilde monument, a gift from Estonia to Ireland in 2004 !

   5 minutes here

3. Lynch's Castle

   The tour returns via Galway's famous River Walk to the main city artery. We arrive at a two-street intersection and the iconic Lynch's Castle building. This 4-story rectangular mansion is the oldest in the city and the finest surviving Town-Castle in Ireland. It was once the ancestral home of the powerful Lynch clan up until the mid-17th century. We explain the history of the building, its crests and roundels.

   7 minutes here

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

   Our next stop will be the old Galway Pro-Cathedral building at the Middle Street / Lower Abbeygate Street junction which opened in 1821. This old building was in use for many centuries until it was deemed inadequate by Galway bishop, Dr Michael Browne.

   5 minutes here

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

   Pass by without stopping

6. From the Augustinian Church we divert into St Augustine’s Lane, now known as Buttermilk Lane. Daniel O'Connell is said to have addressed voters from the Oriel window which is seen at the top of the lane on the right.

   Pass by without stopping

7. Galway's Latin Quarter

   Galway's Latin Quarter is the Old town area and comprises of many small streets including High Street and Quay Street which has been the beating heart of Galway for many, many years. Here we 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.

   Pass by without stopping

8. Located in the heart of the Latin Quarter, Taaffe's Pub is a classic Irish pub with a warm atmosphere. It's a Traditional Music pub and has served customers since 1845, making it one of the oldest pubs in Galway City.

   Pass by without stopping

9. The King's Head

   The King's Head Pub is one of the most famous pubs in Galway with the history of the building streaching all the way back to King Charles I ! The building itself dates back over 800 years to the 13th Century. it's a beautiful premises with lots of heritage features including a fireplace dated 1612 and quirky architectural lines!

   3 minutes here

10. Naughton's Pub (Tigh Neachtain)

    Tig Neachtain is today one of Galway's finest pubs. In former years it was the town-house of Richard Martin, a local Galway celebrity in his day! In his early years as a duellist, he earned the nickname 'Hairtrigger Dick'. In later years, he was elected as a Galway PM to the British Parliament and introduced animal rights laws, which earned him the name 'Humanity Dick'. These laws led to the setting up of the SPCA. Martin was also landlord of a substantial area of Connemara.

    5 minutes here

11. As we enter Quay street, we now stand in front of Dillon's Jewellers, the original manufacturers of the famous Claddagh Ring from the 1830's. It takes its name from the former Claddagh fishing village nearby.

    3 minutes here

12. Wolfe Tone Bridge

    From our Wolfe Tone Bridge vantage point, we can see the Claddagh Village across the River Corrib. This old Gaelic settlement was located outside the walled city of Galway. It was regarded as a fishing village with about 3000 people living here. The fishermen fished Galway Bay aboard the old Galway Hooker boats while the women-folk later sold the fish on the Spanish Parade area. Of course, the Claddagh area gave its name to the famous Claddagh Ring!

13. Quay Street has been at the center of Galway life since the city was founded almost 600 years ago. Today its a busy focal-point thoroughfare with several pubs, restaurants, cafes and lots of music. Also located here is a medieval castle and the Claddagh Ring Museum. Still on Quay Street, your Tour guide will tell you all about Blake's Castle, the imposing building on the right-hand side. Once owned by the Blake merchant family, it was confiscated by the Cromwellians and served as a jail for a number of decades.

    5 minutes here

14. We now arrive at the Spanish Parade, which is an open area that was filled in when the old Trading port closed. It later served as a fish-market for Claddagh fisher-men.

    Pass by without stopping

15. The Spanish Arch

    This open-space area, known as the Spanish Parade formally contained the old Galway port. Up until about 1660, there was a brisk foreign trade between Galway, France , Spain and Portugal. Old Galley ships frequented here with goods including wines and spices for local merchant families. Adjacent to here the medieval Spanish Arch is located on the banks of the River Corrib.

    5 minutes here

16. Kirwan's Lane

    If Quay Street is too busy or alternatively if time allows our group will divert onto Kirwans Lane off Quay Street. This little detour will allow us to walk down this secluded medieval laneway. The laneway is named after one of Galway's Gaelic tribal families. This sublime streetscape offer us a view to past times when Galway city was regarded as 'the finest in the Kingdom'. Also located here is the site of the former Richard 'Humanity Dick' Martin Theatre.

    3 minutes here

17. Galway Farmers Market

    If you are luck enough that your visit includes a Saturday morning you can explore the Galway Farmer's and Craft market. Here you can sample all the wonders of the Saturday Market (9am-4pm) just outside the church area! This is one of the oldest markets in the West of Ireland.

    3 minutes here

18. The Lynch Memorial

    At this very popular Tourist attraction, we hear the story of the 15th century Lynch Memorial window and Mayor James Lynch FitzStephen. The story involves his privileged son, Walter, a love rivalry, a violent confrontation and the son paying the ultimate price issued by a stern, justice-of-the-peace father! The window commemorates this enduring legend and was erected in 1854.

    4 minutes here

19. Saint Nicholas' Collegiate Church

    This famous church has existed for 700 years, is older than the city itself and has a very interesting history. Your guide will explain what you see here is the largest Medieval church in continuous use in Ireland. The church broadly outlines the story of Galway's history! It was originally built as a Catholic Church but changed hands many times. In 1477, the explorer Christopher Columbus is said to have worshipped here prior to his epic voyage of discovery! There is much to see within this ancient building and we have discount tickets available if you'd like to return later.

    6 minutes here · Admission not included

20. 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! The Nora Barnacle House is believed to be Ireland’s Smallest Museum.

    Pass by without stopping

21. 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 New Galway Cathedral opened in 1965 .

    5 minutes here

22. We arrive next at Courthouse Square where your guide will talk to you about the evolving story of the two iconic Courthouses - one for the county and one for the city! Galway Courthouse , opened in 1815 and the City Courthouse (now the Town Hall Theatre) built in 1825.

    5 minutes here

23. We finally arrive at Waterside and Steamer's Quay in Woodquay area. This is the meeting point where we will wait to board the Corrib Princess for our river / lake cruise. On the boat's return, the Guide will accompany you to the original meeting-point in nearby Eyre Square.

    6 minutes here

24. Your guide will take you to board the Corrib Princess for a sightseeing tour and river cruise which takes 1.5hrs approx. After the cruise we re-assemble back at the Quayside .

    90 minutes here · Admission included

Where it starts and ends

Before you book

Cancellation

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

Languages

de, en, fr

Ticket

Mobile Only

Runs on

Tue, Thu, Sat

Group size

Up to 15 travelers per booking

Operated by

Western Tours and Tales

Know before you go

• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• Wheelchair accessible
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Most travellers can participate and this combined Tour is child and animal-friendly
• 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: Guests with mobility issues are welcome to check out our Private City tour, 400766P1 where smaller groups are catered for.

Photos