Must-see attractions in County Galway

  • DK Connemara Oysters

    Connemara

    On these hour-long tours you'll get a real sense of the skill and sheer hard work that goes into producing Connemara's famous oysters. Then try your hand…

  • Teach Synge

    Aran Islands

    Now a small museum, this 300-year-old thatched cottage, on the road just before you head up to Dún Chonchúir, is where the writer JM Synge (1871–1909)…

  • Port Chorrúch

    Aran Islands

    Along the island's low-lying northern coast, the sheltered little bay of Port Chorrúch is home to up to 80 grey seals, who sun themselves and feed in the…

  • Dún Eochla

    Aran Islands

    Atop the island's highest point, at 100m, historic fort Dún Eochla has a double ring of circular walls, and is thought to date from the early medieval era…

  • Dún Fearbhaigh

    Aran Islands

    The well-preserved ruins of this stone fort are 200m west of the Cill Cheannannach church ruins; the fort similarly dates from around the 8th century.

  • Joyce Country Sheepdogs

    Connemara

    Book in advance to see the amazing herding feats performed by the sheepdogs on this working farm. From Leenane, it's 14km east: take the R336 and turn on…

  • Kilmurvey Beach

    Aran Islands

    Crescent-shaped Kilmurvey Beach has a Blue Flag for its clean white sand and pristine waters. Lifeguards patrol it in July and August, and often in June.

  • Salmon Weir

    Galway City

    Upstream from Salmon Weir Bridge, which crosses the River Corrib just east of Galway Cathedral, the river cascades down the great weir, one of its final…

  • Coole Park

    County Galway

    Once home of Lady Augusta Gregory, cofounder of Dublin's Abbey Theatre and a patron of WB Yeats, the house here was demolished by bureaucrats in 1941…

  • Collegiate Church of St Nicholas of Myra

    Galway City

    Crowned by a pyramidal spire, the Collegiate Church of St Nicholas of Myra is Ireland's largest medieval parish church still in use. Completed by 1320, it…

  • Lynch Memorial Window

    Galway City

    James Lynch Fitzstephen was the mayor and magistrate of Galway in 1493. So the story goes, when his son was condemned for the murder of a romantic rival…

  • Loughrea Cathedral

    County Galway

    In the lakeside town of Loughrea, 42km southeast of Galway city, St Brendan’s Catholic Cathedral (not to be confused with St Brendan’s Church on Church St…

  • Lynch's Castle

    Galway City

    Now an AIB Bank, this excellent example of a town castle was built around 1500 (the exact date is unknown). The facade's stonework includes ghoulish…

  • Oscar Wilde & Eduard Vilde Statue

    Galway City

    An earnest conversation takes place between Irish writer Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) and Estonian writer Eduard Vilde (1856–1933), sitting on a granite bench,…

  • Athenry Dominican Priory

    County Galway

    Destroyed by Cromwellian troops in 1652, these marvellous 13th-century priory ruins are only accessible by asking the Arts & Heritage Centre to send…

  • Athenry Castle

    County Galway

    The most imposing remnant of this restored Norman-era castle is its rectangular keep, housing the Great Hall, accessed on the 1st floor via a wooden…

  • Spiddal Craft Village

    County Galway

    Watch potters, painters, jewellers and weavers plying their crafts at the Ceardlann an Spiddal Craft & Design Studios. Two-day basket-weaving workshops…

  • Browne Doorway

    Galway City

    Guarding the upper side of Eyre Square, this out-of-context doorway (1627) is an imposing, if forlorn, fragment from the home of one of the city's…

  • Dún Eoghanachta

    Aran Islands

    Probably built around 900 AD, Dún Eoghanachta has one towering circular wall that's 5m high, nearly 5m thick and 30m in diameter.

  • Parish Church of St Colman

    Connemara

    The interior of this small, charming church 300m east of the pier is illuminated by the soft light of its stained glass.

  • Cill Cheannannach

    Aran Islands

    On the eastern coastline, look out for the 8th-century Cill Cheannannach church ruins.

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