| A walking tour--what a great way to discover the | | | | into how people lived and worked at the start of the |
| rich history and cultural heritage of Galway city! And | | | | 20th century. |
| the good thing about Galway is that it's fairly | | | | Quay Street and the Spanish Arch |
| compact and easy enough to get around on foot. | | | | Quay Street is home to two of Galway city’s |
| Whether you choose to go with a tour company or | | | | best known pubs, The Quays and Tigh Neachtain. |
| make your own way around the cobblestone streets, | | | | Tigh Neachtain takes you back to the Ireland of by |
| it's a great way of being part of the hustle and | | | | gone days with "old style snugs". Enjoy "trad" music |
| bustle. | | | | sessions at The Quays. |
| I suppose if you go on your own steam, you can | | | | Spanish Arch--supposedly given this name, because |
| stop and start as you please without feeling you are | | | | of the many Spanish traders who frequented the |
| delaying the group. However a tour company would | | | | city, stands proudly on the left bank of the Corrib. |
| have the advantage of a guide to answer those | | | | What you see today is the remainder of a 16th |
| "burning questions", and also to add their personal | | | | century bastion. |
| touch with in-depth local knowledge. | | | | Claddagh Village |
| Whichever way you choose to go and explore the | | | | During medieval times the occupants of Galway city |
| city, the following should feature highly on your ''must | | | | were driven out to this area by the Normans. Down |
| see list''. Oh, and don't forget a good Galway map if | | | | through the centuries, the inhabitants had their own |
| you're opting for a self guided tour of the city. | | | | customs, dress, laws and language. However in 1937, |
| Eyre Square | | | | the thatched cottages of this area were demolished |
| This inner city park is the focal point of Galway city. | | | | and new housing built in its place, thus wiping out, |
| Edward Eyre, Mayor of Galway city gave this tract | | | | without trace a community's identity and a vital part |
| of land to Galway city in 1710. Eyre Square was | | | | of the city’s history. |
| re-named Kennedy Memorial Park in 1965, after J.F.K. | | | | Collegiate Church of St. Nicholas |
| himself had visited. There is a bust of the man to be | | | | This church is located in the medieval centre of |
| seen in the Park. Also check out the Eyre Square | | | | Galway city. The building of the church dates back to |
| Centre when you're in the area. | | | | about the 1300’s and was built in honour of St. |
| Lynch’s Castle | | | | Nicholas of Myra. It's a unique building, as it holds the |
| Lunch's Castle is a fine example of medieval | | | | title of being the biggest medieval church in Ireland |
| Architecture. It's now home to the Allied Irish Bank | | | | that's still in use. |
| (the AIB). The ground floor of the building is open to | | | | Galway City Courthouse |
| visitors. | | | | This really is a magnificent building. Work began on |
| St. Nicholas of Myra Church | | | | the project in 1812 and the courthouse was first |
| This is a 14th century church built using local | | | | opened for business in 1815. |
| materials--limestone and Connemara marble. The | | | | Galway Cathedral |
| church was used as a stables during Oliver | | | | Building of the Galway Cathedral began in 1958 and |
| Cromwell’s reign but other than that it has | | | | the Cathedral was dedicated in 1965. The Cathedral |
| served Galway city folk well as a house of worship | | | | was actually built on the site of the old county jail. |
| over hundreds of years. | | | | The copper dome can be seen for miles and almost |
| Home of Nora Barnacle | | | | everything used in the building was sourced locally. It |
| Number 8 Bowling Green was the home of James | | | | was designed by Robinson Keefe and is a mix of |
| Joyce’s wife, Nora Barnacle. The property has | | | | Romanesque and Renaissance styles with a Spanish |
| had restoration work done and is a valuable insight | | | | influence as well. |