Galway Private Walking Tour

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. Eyre Square, in the heart of Galway City, is officially known as the John F. Kennedy Memorial Park. The square has a rich history dating back to medieval times when markets took place on the green in front of the town gates. A memorial of the US President Kennedy, who was made a Freeman of the city, marks the spot where he made a speech to approximately 100,000 Galway people in 1963, on his last trip before his assassination.

   10 min

2. Lynch’s Castle, it is a striking example of a medieval fortified house. The castle is four storeys high with embellished carved windows, gargoyles and ornamental mouldings and cornices. Built by the powerful Lynch family as a protection from raids, parts of the limestone building may date back to the 14th century but the bulk of it was built in the 16th century. The Lynches, of Anglo-Norman descent, were one of the powerful 14 tribes who ruled Galway.

   15 min

3. The Collegiate Church of St. Nicholas is the largest medieval parish church in Ireland in continuous use as a place of worship at the heart of Galway’s life.

   10 min

4. One the finest medieval laneways in Galway, Kirwan’s Lane, located in what is now referred to as The Latin Quarter. It is at the centre of the area that was originally within the city walls, and is named after the Kirwan’s, one of Galway's fourteen “tribes”. The area has been significantly restored over the years and has rejuvenated the heart of Galway’s historical town centre.

   15 min

5. Thomas Dillons Claddagh Gold, is the oldest purveyor of the original Claddagh ring. They’ve been creating the rings in silver and gold since 1750.

   15 min

6. 13th century archaeological remains of the Hall of the Red Earl, the oldest building to be excavated within Galway's medieval walls.

   15 min

7. The Spanish Arch is one of Galway's historical gems, dating back to pre-medieval times. It housed soldiers who kept watch and manned cannons on the roof.

   15 min

8. The Westend is the part of Galway that visitors are delighted to discover. Off the beaten track and a little further out of the centre of the city, its bohemian and eccentric character with friendly locals make it one of the most appealing places in Galway.

   25 min

9. Roman Catholic cathedral in Galway, one of the largest and most impressive buildings in the city. The cathedral dome, at a height of 44.2 metres (145 ft), is a prominent landmark on the city skyline.

   15 min

10. 1845, that was the year Queen’s College Galway was founded. Following construction of the iconic Quadrangle building, the University opened its doors four years later to the first cohort of just 68 students.

    15 min

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

Ratings come from 109 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Know before you go

How it compares in Galway

• Its from-price is 72% below the median of the 303 experiences we list in Galway.
• It is shorter than most of them.
• By number of reviews it ranks 37 of 303.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Galway

Galway is a harbour city on Ireland's west coast, with a pedestrian old centre, traditional music, a seaside promenade and Connemara just to the west.

Galway stands where the River Corrib meets Galway Bay, and in the Middle Ages it was ruled by fourteen merchant families known as the Tribes, who built its stone houses and quays. The Spanish Arch recalls the trade with Spain, and Eyre Square, the Latin Quarter around Shop Street and Quay Street, and the Claddagh, a former fishing village that gave its name to the Claddagh ring, form the centre. The cathedral, consecrated in 1965, stands by the river.

Top-ranked sights in Galway: Cliffs of Moher, The Burren, Galway Bay.

See all 303 experiences in Galway