Discover one of Ireland's most culturally rich cities on this walking tour of Galway. We'll explore iconic historic landmarks and atmospheric neighbourhoods as we learn about the city's long and fascinating history.
Galway Walking Tour
At the indicated time, we'll meet at 25 Eyre Square and begin this exciting walking tour of Galway.
Getting straight into it from our meeting point, we'll walk around Eyre Square, where we'll see The Browne Doorway. Originally the entrance to an influential family's home, the monument was moved to Eyre Square in 1905—its history will impress you!
Another monument to be found in the park is the Quincentennial Fountain, an impressive structure in the shape of the sails of a boat. Designed by the esteemed architect and sculptor Eamon O'Doherty, the fountain graced Eyre Square in Galway City in 1984, serving as a tribute to the 500th anniversary of Galway City's establishment as a borough with mayoral privileges.
Next, we'll see Lynch's Castle, a 16th-century castle that is nowadays used as a bank. This Gothic style building, once owned by one of Galway's most powerful families, also served as a hotel before becoming a bank.
A walking tour of Galway wouldn't be complete without passing by the Galway Market. Open all year round on Saturdays and Sundays, this vibrant market offers a mix of food and craft stalls selling traditional Irish products. Following that, we'll walk down Kirwan's Lane, often referred to as the medieval heart of Galway. Located in what is nowadays known as the Latin Quarter, strolling down Kirwan's Lane is like embarking on a journey back in time. The 16th and 17th-century architecture is a testimony to Galway's rich history.
As our tour starts to come to a close, we'll pay a visit to one of Galway's biggest tourist attractions: The Spanish Arch. Originally built in 1584, the arch was first known as "Ceann an Bhalla", meaning "the head of the wall". Can you guess why its name was changed? You'll learn all about it!
Lastly, we'll make our way across Salmon Weir Bridge to Galway Cathedral, where we'll bring the tour to an end after a total of 1.5 hours. Slán!
