Whether you’re thumbing your way through labyrinthine bookshops or rubbing shoulders with locals at the weekend market, Galway is the pinnacle of Irish culture. Home to the largest population of native Irish speakers in Ireland, this is a city that’s proud of its heritage. But don’t be fooled. With its up-and-coming restaurants, year-round festivals and bohemian art scene, Galway is as contemporary as it is historical.
CULTURE
Affectionately known as the cultural heart of Ireland – and crowned joint European capital of culture in 2020 – Galway is the beating heart of Irish art, music and literature. Discover the inspiration behind famous works of fiction on the Galway poetry trail, or immerse yourself in the spectacle of live theatre. From Cúirt (International Festival of Literature) to Baboró (International Arts Festival for Children), festivals are integral to Galwegian life.
HISTORY
Travel through time at the Galway City Museum, where fascinating exhibitions and collections take you from the prehistoric age to the modern day. Or see history in action at St Nicholas’s Collegiate Church. Founded in 1320, the church is a testament to Galway’s illustrious past – notice the defaced monuments from the Cromwellian siege of 1652. Then, of course, there’s The Spanish Arch – a remnant of medieval Galway.
FOOD
Famed for its fresh-from-the-coast oysters, Galway is also home to Michelin-starred restaurants, colourful market stalls and a thriving pub culture. Work up an appetite on a culinary walking tour, or head to Galway Bay for fish and chips on the beach. As the sun sets over the Atlantic, unwind with a pint at a traditional music pub – showcasing the best of Irish folk music.
Breathe in the sea air along the Salthill Promenade – tradition dictates ‘kicking the wall’ across from the diving boards for good luck.