Highlighting the Celtic culture and its heritage, Brigit's Garden is an award-winning themed park that is a local favorite, as well as a quite popular spot with tourists. Located in Galway, the popular garden features structures that are characteristic of Celtic architecture like the fairy fort, roundhouse and the stone chamber, to name a few. Apart from the cute, fairy tale locations within the site, the programs and games organized to benefit the children also attracts many visitors. Big on magical grandeur and old world charm, you'd definitely love it here, no matter what your age is.
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.
Situated about twenty minutes' drive from Galway city and close to the village of Oranmore, Renville Park surrounds a magnificent 16th century estate. The grounds include a network of trails and walks through woodlands, providing spectacular views of the sea and of counties Clare and Galway.The variety of flora includes several tree varieties, wild flowers, shrubs and old creeping ivy. Local fauna incorporates otter, heron, curlew and raven. The park has picnic areas with barbeque facilities (bring your own charcoal) and a children's play area. Open all year round, this park makes for a great family day out.
The Town Hall Theatre stands across from the Galway courthouse. Once the old Town Hall cinema, Town Hall Theatre is now an elegant but welcoming building with a plush, comfortable interior. The theatre hosts an extensive range of events, including amateur and professional theatrical productions, film screenings, concerts and opera. In the summertime, the venue houses the Galway Film Fleadh and the Galway Arts Festival.
Ask around the neighborhood for the place that serves top quality beer, and you are sure to be pointed towards The Oslo. Whether you're a fan of beer or not, this bar will leave you impressed with its fabulous collection of brews and light meals. Claimed to the first microbrewery in the city, this bar offers a wide range of brews infused with the spirit of Galway. Boasting a selection of 20 beers on tap, along with a sizable collection of international beers, its unlikely that this bar fails to produce one that suits your taste.
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.
The Claddagh Ring Museum functions both as a museum and as jeweler, who sells traditional Claddagh rings. The ring's design comes from a group of finger-rings called faith rings. The "Claddagh Ring" is distinctive because it has two hands holding a heart which is in turn surmounted by a crown. In the Claddagh, the rings were used to indicate marriage, worn with the crown towards the knuckle when unwed and worn with the crown toward the finger tip on marriage. The rings were handed down from mother to daughter over the years. The museum showcases an exclusive collection of historic photographs as well as a collection of rings and the making process, for viewing.
Kiltartan was originally a school, built by the Gregory family of Coole Park, of which Lady Gregory the literary revivalist was one of the best-known members. The museum contains first editions of books by literary luminaries such as W.B. Yeats. Rare manuscripts, estate maps and memorabilia associated with the Irish Literary Revival are also on display. Step back in time in the early twentieth-century schoolroom, which is reminiscent of the classrooms which appear in the movie "Angela's Ashes". Guide books, car park and picnic facilities are available.
A trip to Connemara is not complete without a cruise around Lough Corrib. This lovely lake is one of Ireland's largest bodies of water. Stop at Inchagoil Island and visit the restored 12th century church there. Sir Benjamin Guinness restored this building in the 19th century, and created pathways through the woods all over the island. The island itself was once part of the Guinness estate, which also included Ashford Castle, now a famous hotel. Boats depart for the lough from the Galway side of Oughterard.
Bank of Ireland Theatre, at the National University of Ireland-Galway, is an ideal space to brush up on your cultural knowledge. Their line-up of exotic plays and theatrical productions promises to dazzle one and all. An exotic array of music concerts, live performances and events grace the dais at this eclectic venue that showcases the best of cultural happenings in the city. You will also get to feast on a variety of home productions by the students themselves as you marvel at their creative talents. Call the Arts office for more details on current and upcoming events.
Branar Drámaíochta is an acclaimed puppet theater. Kids of all ages and even adults will get enthralled by their creative shows. Engaging and educative, they have plays for children aged 6 months and above. Offering a plethora of acts that differ as per the age group, kids will have a gala time at this place. Their mission is to use simple and creative methods to help young minds open up, take up challenges, and be a catalyst for education.
126 Artist-Run Gallery is an artist led space and one of the top galleries in the city for contemporary art. Comprising of four venues that showcase the latest visual art exhibits, their exhibitions are experimental and allow a dialogue between the artists and the audience. A platform for upcoming artists, it also hosts art festivals, workshops, research programs and publications.