561. Galway City
Galway is Europe’s fastest growing city and the fourth largest in Ireland. A lively university city of narrow streets, quaint shopfronts, bustling pubs and stunning surrounding scenery, it has always attracted a bohemian mix of musicians, artists and intellectuals.
Lying on the banks of the River Corrib, Galway is a compact city and easy to explore on foot. Start your explorations in Eyre Square. This city centre square is home to two cannons from the Crimean war and a statue of the Galway-born writer Padraic O’Conaire. Stroll down William Street and Shop Street – the main routes into the city’s bustling “Latin Quarter.” The 16th century town house known as Lynch’s Castle stands on the corner of Shop Street and Abbeygate Street Upper. Now a bank, it was once the home of one of Galway’s most powerful ruling families – the Lynches. Shop Street is also home to Galway’s finest medieval building – the Collegiate Church of St. Nicholas. It is the largest medieval parish church in Ireland still in use. Stroll along the old quays and check out the 16th century Spanish Arch. Galway was originally protected by city walls and The Arch appears to have been constructed in order for ships to come into the harbour and unload their goods – often wine and brandy from Spain.
If you feel like a swim or the thrill of the dodgems, head for Salthill, an old-fashioned seaside resort just west of the city. For a wide choice of excellent restaurants, head for the Quay street area. You’ll never be far from lively pubs in Galway and a trip to the famous Druid theatre is well worth it. There’s a great market on Saturday mornings beside St. Nicholas’s church selling everything from vegetables to paintings. Galway is also the gateway to Connemara – a region of spectacular beauty lying west of the city. A trip here is an absolute must.
Services in Galway City
| Limousine Hire, Tourist Attractions, Galleries, Sightseeing Tours, Craft Shops, Bus Hire / Services, Bicycle Hire, Towers (Round), Snooker, Mountaineering, Motor Sports, Monuments, Interpretative Centre, Heritage Centres, Island Ferries, Local Tours, Taxi Services, Air Services / National, Air Services / Private, Cathedrals (Historical), Summer Schools, Children's Playcentres, Water Sports, Hostels, Towers (Historical), Castles (Historical), Tombs, Homes (Historical), Museums, Theatres, Cinemas, Nightclubs, Festivals and Fairs, Irish Music, Monastic Sites, Tennis, Aeronautical Sports, Pitch & Putt, Equestrian Sports, Angling, Bowling (10 Pin), Dancing, Islands, Self Catering, Stones (Historical), Abbeys, Friaries, Churches (Historical), Monastery, Bridges, Mills (Historical), Shopping Centres, Department Stores, Sport Associations, Walks, Wells (Historical), Book Shops, Horse Racing, Go-Karting, Language Schools, Leisure Centres, Pubs, Town Information, Airports, Gardens, Priory, Specialist Food & Drink, Exhibitions, Scenic Drives, Restaurants, Craft Centres, Crystal Glass, Visitors Centre, Country Houses/Historic Homes
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564. Gort
Gort, 15 miles (24 km) south-east of Loughrea, in the southern part of the county, was the residence of a seventh-century King of Connacht, Guaire; the foundations of his palace may still be traced. Many of the streams around Gort run into caves in the limestone - of particular note is the Beagh River, which flows from Lough Cutra and runs in and out of rock in several places.
Services in Gort
| Nature Reserves, Interpretative Centre, Taxi Services, Farmhouses, Towers (Historical), Castles (Historical), Homes (Historical), Nightclubs, Golf, Islands, Churches (Historical), National Parks, Parks, Woods and Forests, Pubs, Exhibitions, Restaurants, Visitors Centre
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Towns D-F (31-35)
