Located near R334, Ross Errilly Friary is a popular tourist location in the Galway County. This monastery is commonly known as the Ross Abbey and is believed to be constructed in 16th Century. This monastery houses many graves and tombs from 18th to the 20th Centuries. This monastery was closed in 19th Century and was abandoned thereafter. Presently, in the state of ruins, Ross Errilly Friary attracts many history and culture enthusiasts for visitation. In addition to its rich history background, this abbey has been used as a background in the popular movies like Bad Karma, Moving Target and others.
Visit the cold waters of the Salthill Beach in the sun-soaked summers of Galway. Comprised of small mini-beaches that are separated by outcrops, Salthill has both soft-sanded as well as pebbly beaches. Moderately crowded throughout the year, especially during the Irish summers, this beach is ideal for fun-filled family outings, picnicking and other water-sports such as diving and snorkeling. The Salthill Promenade makes a lovely path for an evening stroll, while offering enviable views of the beach. Come here for the famous Volvo Ocean Race in early July and stay through the summer for more adventures in and around town.
Started in 1993, Turoe Pet Farm is an outdoor activity center for kids. The place includes a pet farm and a jungle-themed indoor play area. This place is not only for kids to visit and play, but a fun way to educate them as well. Summer camps, a day out, birthday parties and picnics are activities that are organized by Turoe Pet Farm. An ideal way for kids to play and dance around and be a part of nature with lots of open spaces to run around. The indoor play area has a jungle themed room called the ‘Jungle-Town’, that has a slide, tunnel, ball pond, zip line and bishbash. There also exists a room called the ‘Inflatable City’, which is spread across 743 square meters (8000 square feet) and is considered to be the largest in Europe. It includes a bouncing castle with many inflatable slides. The place is completely safe for children and under complete supervision at all times.
The Roisin Dubh is internationally renowned as a live music venue. The Frames, and The Handsome Family have all played acoustic sets here, as have various emerging singer/songwriters. Also known as Galway's top comedy venue, the Roisin Dubh has featured top acts like Stewart Lee and Rich Hall. The Galway Comedy Festival draws both local and tourist crowds to the city, and is hosted here. The venue is intimate and atmospheric with good acoustics, and people crowd cozily into the wooden tables and booths. The outer bar is cozy and warm, ideal on a wet winter night. A fire usually blazes just inside the door, and the bar staff are quirky but usually friendly.
Initially called Queen's College Galway, National University of Ireland-Galway was designed and built by the architect J.B. Keane during the Great Famine, in the middle of the 19th century. However, it didn't open its doors to students until 1845. Women students were first permitted in 1906, and the first woman to receive an engineering degree in Ireland received it at this university. The campus has recently expanded to accommodate its increasing student body. Most of the university buildings range in age from the mid-19th century to the brand new Millennial Arts building. The original structure, a 19th-century, neo-Gothic quadrangle is well worth seeing. The Clock Tower is reminiscent of the Tom Tower at Christ Church, Oxford.
W.B. Yeats, who won the Nobel Prize for literature, purchased this ancient Norman tower and the adjoining cottages in 1916. Yeats painstakingly restored the tower and for many years Thoor Ballylee was his retreat and inspiration. From here he visited his friend and fellow literary revivalist Lady Gregory in nearby Coole Park. His poetry collection, "The Tower", contains many poems written at Thoor Ballylee. The Tower has been lovingly renovated and looks much as it did when Yeats and his family were living there. Audio-visual presentations are provided on visits to the tower and there is a beautiful riverside walk leading to an ancient mill.