| Galway city is one of Ireland's top tourist | | | | trout, carp, pike, dog fish, star fish and sea horses to |
| destinations. Fondly nicknamed the ''City of the | | | | name but a few. There's a section solely dedicated |
| Tribes'' and just a stone's throw away from the | | | | to raring and growing fish, a must for those inquisitive |
| seaside resort of Salthill, Galway city offers plenty | | | | young minds. |
| when it comes to attractions and things to see and | | | | After all that there are sure to be rumbling tummies! |
| do. And if you have the kids in tow, here are few | | | | Why not visit the coffee shop or Schooners on the |
| suggestions to keep them out of mischief... | | | | Bay restaurant to fill that gap? On the way out |
| Galway City Museum | | | | don’t forget to have a look in the Lighthouse |
| The section of particular interest here would be the | | | | Gift Shop for your oceanic themed souvenir. |
| medieval section, proudly displaying Galway’s | | | | Galway Omniplex |
| medieval heritage. Included are various examples of | | | | Another rainy day solution, why not take the kids to |
| stonework, showing the coat-of-arms of important | | | | the cinema? Galway Omniplex boasts 11 screens. It's |
| city families of the day. | | | | located at Galway Retail Park, Headford Road, |
| Also on view is a collection of military paraphernalia, | | | | Galway. |
| farming tools, old rush lights and early candles. This is | | | | Moycullen Riding School |
| a good find as kids are always interested in how | | | | Moycullen Riding School is located just 5 miles from |
| things looked in olden times. | | | | Galway city. This riding school caters for both |
| Parks and playgrounds | | | | learners and more experienced riders. It's ideally |
| In Galway city at the moment there are 16 parks | | | | located with the stunning Connemara countryside as |
| and playgrounds. The usual mix of children’s play | | | | a backdrop and there's also an indoor arena. Lessons |
| facilities can be found in the playgrounds, for | | | | and trekking sessions are available, and Moycullen |
| example: trains, space ships, flat swings, spring | | | | Riding School is open all year round. |
| mounted rockers, climbing frames, timber mazes etc. | | | | Lynch’s Castle and Blake’s Castle |
| As for parks, there's roughly 1500 acres of parkland | | | | Lynch’s Castle is a fine example of a medieval |
| throughout the city. Offering pedestrian walkways, | | | | limestone building and is built in Gothic style. Looking |
| woodland, Gaelic pitches, picnic areas, playgrounds, | | | | at the features of the castle it's thought that it |
| running tracks and basically a slice of heaven away | | | | dates back to the 15th century. |
| from the hustle and bustle of the city. | | | | The Bank of Ireland took ownership of the castle in |
| Beaches | | | | 1930 and has completed essential restoration work. |
| Galway city is an excellent location for beach access. | | | | Visitors are welcome to the ground floor of the |
| Although our summer days are well and truly over | | | | castle. Here you can expand your knowledge of the |
| now, it's still nice to stroll along the beach. Salthill and | | | | history and architecture of the building. You may also |
| Silverstrand are Galway’s two most notable | | | | note the Lynch family coat of arms. |
| beaches, both having attained "blue flag" status. | | | | Blakes Castle is located in the heart of Galway. This |
| Other beaches in the area worth a visit are Grattan | | | | 15th century building was once used as a jail and |
| Beach and Ballyloughane Beach. | | | | after restoration its new role is part of a hotel. A bit |
| Leisureland | | | | similar in style to Lynch’s castle, this is a nice |
| The Leisureland complex in Salthill is an ideal solution | | | | building to view, as it really conveys that "old world" |
| for those rainy days. On site there's a 25-metre | | | | appearance of medieval Galway. |
| 6-lane competitive deck level pool, a warm up pool, | | | | Galway has no shortage of castles and these are a |
| themed kiddies leisure pool and a 65-metre water | | | | great source of wonder and imagination for kids (of |
| slide. Moms and Dads can avail of the Fitness Centre, | | | | all ages!). The usual scenario when visiting a castle is |
| which includes a gym, sauna, steam room and a | | | | to find the witch or the ghost and then to escape |
| massage parlour. | | | | their clutches. After that, it's pretending to be king |
| Atlantaquaria | | | | and queen of the castle. All in all a wonderful source |
| I don’t know what it is about children and fish, | | | | of entertainment! |
| but anything to do with our watery friends is always | | | | Bus tours |
| a sure fire hit! At Atlantaquaria the kids will be nearly | | | | If you haven’t got much time in Galway city, |
| bursting with excitement going through the different | | | | maybe a good way to get to know the city quickly |
| areas of the attraction. | | | | is by bus tour. Anyhow kids love going on buses, so |
| Here you'll find a splash pool, ray pool, touch pool, | | | | this will be a winner, as it will give those "little leggies" |
| submarines, wrecks and boats. There's also an | | | | a break as well. On the tour, look out for Spanish |
| audio-visual room where wildlife films are played | | | | Arch, Galway Bay, The Cathedral, Eyre Square, and |
| throughout the day. Species on view include brown | | | | Wolfe Tone Bridge to name but a few of the sights. |