Top Rated Attractions in Galway

A visitor to Galway in 1614 noted the city's prosperous appearance. He was especially struck by the elegant townhouses with finely cut stone facades, fortified with "faire battlement, in an uniform course". These houses would have been owned by Galway's leading merchant families, the "fourteen tribes of Galway". The Lynch family were one of the leading "tribes". Lynch's Castle (now an Allied Irish Bank) is one of the best examples of a 16th century townhouse. The finely cut stone lintels, coat of arms and fine stone fireplaces in the interior are well worth a look.

Shop Street is the central location for shopping in Galway, with plenty of locals and tourists checking out the variety of stores and strolling the sidewalks. Some long-standing brick buildings and artsy cafes give certain sections of the street a more intellectual feel, while street performers in other places create a laid back atmosphere. Shop Street also features one of Galway's oldest architectural structures, Lynch's Castle.

This church was built and dedicated to St. Nicholas, the patron saint of the traveler, in 1320. Following a successful petition to Pope Innocent VIII in 1484, the church was rendered collegiate and was controlled by a warden and eight vicars. The structure itself has been repeatedly rebuilt and renovated, and the tower wasn't built until the early 1500s. These changes were partly because this church changed hands a number of times between the Catholic and the Anglican communions. St. Nicholas' Church contains fine examples of Galway's medieval stone carvings, many of which are carved on the ornate tombs. This church is also renowned as the place where Christopher Columbus offered his last prayers before his epic journey to the New World. Services still take place here each Sunday.

Ireland is famous for not only its beautiful and natural sights, but for its rich whiskey too. Galway Whiskey Tasting Tours is a guide to exploring types of whiskeys in Ireland. Galway, the city offers few of the most iconic and historic pubs of the country. The special tours are the Whiskey Tasting Evenings and Historic Pub Trail. An amazing way to spend the weekend with a group of friends or colleagues, and to unwind from an entire week of hard work for some fun and laughter.

This Franciscan Friary, colloquially known as "The Abbey", was originally founded in 1296 on St. Stephen's Island. In 1438, Pope Eugenius IV was so impressed with the Friary that he decreed a school for advanced theological study to be established at the Friary in Galway. The old church became a courthouse in the 1600's and in 1820 the present friary was built, although it was not consecrated until 1849. The "Abbey" was extensively refurbished in 1997-98 and today five Friars serve the community as well as providing church services. The Friars also act as Chaplains to the local schools.

Taibhdhearc Theatre was first leased from the Augustinian Fathers by Hilton Edwards. After being refurbished it opened its doors to audiences in August 1928 with a production of "Diarmuid and Gráinne" by Micheál MacLiammóir. Since this date Galway has had a theater which presents plays in the Irish language. The theater also regularly features regular musicals and opera. Many luminaries have appeared at the Taibhdhearc, including playwright and novelist Walter Macken, poet Máirtin Ó Direáin, distinguished actress Siobhán McKenna and actor Seán McClory.