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's been rebuilt and enlarged over the centuries, while retaining much of its original form. Seafaring has long been associated with the church – the eponymous St Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors. Indeed, Christopher Columbus reputedly worshiped here in 1477.

During the day the church is usually all but empty and makes for a welcome escape from Galway's hubbub.

Contact

Address

Lombard St

Get In Touch

086-389 8777

https://www.stnicholas.ie/

Suggest an edit to this attraction

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Spanish Arch
0.2 MILES
The Spanish Arch is thought to be an extension of Galway's medieval city walls, designed to protect ships moored at the nearby quay while they unloaded…
Aughnanure Castle
13.65 MILES
The 'Fighting O'Flahertys' were based at this superbly preserved 16th-century fortress 4km east of Oughterard. The clan controlled the region for hundreds…
Galway City Museum
0.21 MILES
Exhibits at this modern, three-floor museum engagingly convey the city's archaeological, political, cultural and social history. Look out for an iconic…
Dysert O'Dea
24.97 MILES
The centrepiece of this fascinating historic site where St Tola founded a monastery in the 8th century is the four-storey, 15th-century O'Dea Castle…
Ennis Friary
29.65 MILES
North of the Square, Ennis Friary was founded by Donnchadh Cairbreach O'Brien, a king of Thomond, between 1240 and 1249. A mix of structures dating…
Poulnabrone Dolmen
15.89 MILES
Also known as the Portal Tomb, Poulnabrone Dolmen is one of Ireland's most photographed ancient monuments. Built more than 5000 years ago, the other…
Corcomroe Abbey
10.11 MILES
Moody and evocative, marvellously ruined Corcomroe Abbey sits in a quiet green hollow, 2km inland from Bellharbour, surrounded by the stark grey Burren…
Dunguaire Castle
10.5 MILES
Erected around 1520 by the O'Hynes clan, Dunguaire Castle sits on the fringes of Kinvara on the former site of the 6th-century royal palace of Guaire…

View more attractions

Nearby Galway City attractions

1. Lynch Memorial Window

0.02 MILES

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…

2. Galway Market

0.03 MILES

Galway's bohemian spirit comes alive at its street market, which has set up in this spot for centuries. Saturdays are the standout for food, when farmers…

3. Lynch's Castle

0.08 MILES

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…

4. Hall of the Red Earl

0.11 MILES

In the 13th century, when the de Burgo family ruled Galway, Richard – the Red Earl – erected a large hall as a seat of power, where locals would arrive to…

5. Oscar Wilde & Eduard Vilde Statue

0.12 MILES

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

6. Fishery Watchtower

0.19 MILES

Constructed in the 1850s, this butter-coloured Victorian tower was used to monitor fish stock levels (and poachers). Now restored, the unique trilevel…

7. Spanish Arch

0.2 MILES

The Spanish Arch is thought to be an extension of Galway's medieval city walls, designed to protect ships moored at the nearby quay while they unloaded…

8. Galway City Museum

0.21 MILES

Exhibits at this modern, three-floor museum engagingly convey the city's archaeological, political, cultural and social history. Look out for an iconic…

View more attractions

placement: superzone
path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],

targeting:

{
  "url": "ireland/county-galway/galway-city/attractions/collegiate-church-of-st-nicholas-of-myra/a/poi-sig/429366/359685",
  "destination": "Galway-City",
  "continent": "Europe",
  "country": "Ireland",
  "city": "Galway-City",
  "position": "superzone"
}