Galway, City of the Tribes!

Galway is a one of a kind City and has a lot to offer visitors to the city. Although Galway has become a city it is still affectionately known to many local people as a "town". It is well known for being a warm and welcoming place, typical of the people of the west of Ireland. The city is not particularily large yet, and was mostly pedestrianised at the start of the millenium. Since there is no traffic in the town centre it has a very personal, relaxed atmosphere, especially in the warm summer months.

Artistic groups such as the Galway Arts festival organisation create an international awareness of the city's attractions and the many restaurants and places to eat tend to reflect this spirit of a multicultural patchwork.

Galway is known as The City of the Tribes, named after the original fourteen families credited with the growth of Galway city. It has a very large population of young people, added to which there is a national university and an institute of technology in the city. Its rich historic background attracts many backpackers and tourists additionally. Of the many festivals and events held throughout the year, two of the most famous are the Galway Oyster Festival and the Galway Races.

Here are a few of the attractions in Galway...

• Fresh water and deep sea fishing in the bay.
• The impressive Cliffs of Moher.
• Rent a Bike, and cycle around to see the city and county!
• Golf Courses and Pitch and Putt nearby.
• The many restaurants, which offer every food imaginable.
• Many watersports in the local swimming pools such as Leisureland.
• Incredible West of Ireland Beaches close by, and you are on the entrance to historic Connemara.
• Archaeological site visits, such as to the Aran Islands.
• Traditional music and bars.
• Walking and bus tours of the city.
• Boat Trips on the river Corrib on the famous Corrib Princess!

Quiet Man Film Locations
Popular for a long time as being one of the original worldwide depictions of Ireland, the movie "The Quiet Man", with John Wayne was filmed in several locations around Galway county. The quiet man film club have organised tours to view these locations.

Athenry - Ancient Town with Arts and Heritage Centre
Athenry is a medieval town about twenty minutes in a car from Galway City, and it is steeped in the history of Galway. Origially founded in the thirteenth century by one of the Norman Birmingham family, who surrounded the town with a strong wall, with towers and a motte. The walls are have not been knocked down, and are visible to the approaching visitor.

Battle of Aughrim
Aughrim, Ballinasloe - on the main Galway – Dublin Road. See once again one of the most terrible battles in Irish history fought in a Connaught village. Travel back to that long day in in the seventeenth century through a digital show based on the moving account of Captain Dalton who fought at the Battle of Aughrim.

St. Jarlaths Wheel - Tuam
Located beside the Catholic Cathedral in the North Galway town of Tuam. Tuam is also home to a thirteenth century church ruins and graveyard, located at Teampall Jarlath, High Street, Tuam.

Galway Bay
Drive along the coast road up the prom from Galway to Spiddal and view the splendour of Galway Bay. Later in the day one can experience the famed in song "Sun going down on Galway Bay". If you keep going onwards, you get to the Twelve Pins of Connemara mountain range.

Tropical Butterfly Centre
Carraroe, Connemara, Galway. 2 miles from Rassaveal Harbour on R343. Located in the heart of Connemara, Seawinds Nurseries and Tropical Butterfly Centre offers a unique experience in family entertainment, regardless of weather. Set amid the lush splendour of a tropical enclosure, you can see hundreds of free flying exotic Butterflies in their natural environment.

The Aran Islands, located in Galway Bay
Situated at the mouth of Galway bay. Day trips available from Galway and Clare coasts. Organised tours available on the Islands. Visit the cottage where J.M. Synge, the well-known Anglo-Irish author and playwright stayed and took the theme of The Playboy of the Western World.

Kirwan's Lane - Galway City
Kirwan's Lane, off Quay Street is one of Galway's last remaining late Medieval Lanes and has been recently redeveloped as a residential area. It was here that the Galwayman Richard Martin built a hundred seat theatre for his actress wife in the eighteenth century. Among those who acted there was the republican Wolfe Tone.

Clifden in West Galway
The location of the landing of the first trans Atlantic air crossing by Alcock & Brown. A very scenic part of Ireland.

Kinvara – Galway Hooker Boats
Kinvara hosts an annual festival to celebrate those unique sea boats each year. Always a selection of the old style Hooker boats on view. Those boats were used to transport turf in bygone days.

Portumna Castle
The great semi-fortifed house at Portumna was built before 1618 by Richard Burke or de Burgo, the 4th Earl of Clanricard. There are exhibitions in the castle and Gate House.

Coole Park
Located close to Gort, on the Galway Road, the former home of Lady Gregory, a founder of the Abbey Theatre and friend of WB Yeats. The house no longer stands, but the estate is now a national nature reserve. The garden of the house, with its yew walk, is preserved. Carved on the autograph tree, among others are the signatures of Sean O'Casey, George Bernard Shaw and John Masefield. Attractions include nature trails, walks, a lake and turlough.

Thoor Ballylee
Once the former summer home of the poet Yeats this restored Norman tower house was purchased by Yeats in 1916. More recently the tower was opened to the public. A multimedia presentation and push-button audio narratives in the rooms are available in the tower, which is open to the public from Easter to October.

Turoe Pet Farm
Located close to Loughrea, in a beautiful rural setting, Turoe Pet Farm provides great attractions for young and old, native and tourist, with superb facilities which are provided to cater for individual, family and group needs.

Dunguaire Castle
Located in Kinvara, the fortress of Dunguaire Castle was built by the O'Hynes' in the sixteenth century. The clans connection with the castle dates back as far as the seventh century when their ancestor Guaire, King of Connnaught in the west ruled his kingdom from an earthwork Dun close to the present castle site. Richhard Martyn, Mayor of Galway, purchased the castle in the 17th century and it was subsequently acquired by Oliver Saint John Geogarty. During his tenure the castle was the venue for meetings of the literary revivalists, led by the poet Yeats. The bardic or poetic tradition which Yeats believed in is reflected in the Medieval Feast held every night.

Mill Museum - Tuam
Located in Tuam, this is the last surviving corn mill in the Tuam area. It closed as a working mill in 1964 - its machinery is still in place, however, so visitors can view the old milling process. This mill played a vital part in the life of the local community and a voluntary committee opened it as a museum in 1974. It also serves as a seasonal tourist information office.

Heritage Sites

Athenry Castle
Athenry is one of the most notable medieval walled towns surviving in Ireland, owing its foundation to Meiler de Bermingham who built his Castle there in 1250. The great three storey tower, surrounded by strong defensive walls, is entered at first floor level through a peculiar decorated doorway. Recently reroofed, the inside contains an audio visual room and exhibition.

Aughnanure Castle Galway - Oughterard
Built by the O’Flahertys in the sixteenth century, Aughnanure Castle lies in beautiful surroundings near to the shores of Lough Corrib. Standing on what is essentially a rocky island, the Castle is a particularly well preserved example of the Irish tower house. Also, visitors will find the remains of a feasting hall, a watch tower, an unusual double bawn, bastions and a dry harbour.

Dun Aonghasa - Inishmore, Aran Islands
Dun Aengus, sitting spectacularily on the edge of a cliff overlooking the Atlantic ocean, this Dun is the largest of the ancient prehistoric stone forts of the Aran Islands. It is enclosed by three enormous dry stone walls and a plain of littered sharp stones consisting of tall blocks of limestone set into the ground to hold off attackers. The fort is about a kilometer from the Visitor Centre and is approached over rising ground.

Teach an Phiarsaigh (Patrick Pearse's Cottage) Rosmuc
A small restored cottage used by Patrick Pearse (1879 - 1916) leader of the 1916 Rising, as a summer residence. The interior, although burned during the War of Independence, has been reconstructed and contains an exhibition and a number of momentoes of Pearse.

Interesting Tourist Shops

Tus Craft Design
Tus Craft Design is a retail outlet in The Bridge Mills which displays a range of top quality art and crafts made locally in and around Galway. Website : www.tus-craftshop.com

Peacockes Craft Shop Located at Maam Cross, the Crossroads of Connemara ; sells a comprehensive range of Irish craft products, such as knitwear, crystal, jewellery, and CDs much of which is available by mail order.

The Galway Crystal Factory Shop
Located at Dublin Road, Galway City, this sells locally manufactured crystal products. Recognised as a world leader in crystal glass products. In 1997, The Galway Irish Crystal Heritage Centre was awarded the prestigious Irish American Cultural Institute Heritage Award.

Royal Tara China Shop,
Located at Mervue, Galway City, this sells locally manufactured china products, such as cups, plates and teapots. Royal Tara has been producing Fine Bone China of the highest quality since it was established in nineteen fifty three. Today the wisdom of this policy is reflected in the company's thriving exports. It has earned Royal Tara China a reputation for excellent design, craftmanship and quality that is recognised worldwide.

Galway Bay Gifts, also known as Assets Gifts
Located in the heart of Galway City, they offer a wide range of Irish Novelty items, Fun Gifts, Jewelry. While mostly a tourist shop catering to visitors to Galway you will find lots to suit your everyday shopper also. They like visitors to leave with a smile and have lots of interesting wares on the shelves.

Standún,
Coast Road, An Spidéal (Spiddal),Co. Galway. Originally set up over fifty years ago, this family run store is an excellent source source for top quality Irish products, such as Aran jumpers, woollens, tweeds clothes, crystal ware, pottery work, china tea sets, linens, and jewelry including the world famous Claddagh ring.

O'Maille - Quality Knitwear
O'Malley's is a name that has long been equated with quality knitwear and well tailored clothes for men and women. Established in nineteen thirty eight, the long lived family owned business is located in Galway City, in the middle of the West of Ireland, home of the world reknowned Aran Sweater.