Galway City Guide
street scene - centre of Galway City
latest update March 2008
Galway City has long been a hostellers' favourite. Until the late 1990's it was more popular with backpackers than Dublin. It manages to pack the life of a fair sized city into a square mile of streets in its centre. It excels in everything hostellers love: music, the 'craic', crafts, contemporary arts and reasonably priced places to eat. Can it get any better ? Yes! Its relaxed but enthusiastic attitude is just right to make this the perfect place to hang out, wander round and just enjoy.
Transport
Ceannt Station is on Station Road 095 561 444 off Eyre Square with 5 trains a day to Dublin. The Bus Station is next to it. Bus Eireann 091 562 000 routes fan out to all parts of the Country. Nestor Buses 091 797144 run to/from Dublin and Dublin airport as Do Citylink buses (this service does not carry bicycles). Citylink have recently taken over (in 2008) Michael Nee Coaches with buses in the Connemara Area. Feda O'Donnell Buses 091 761656 go to Donegal town and points around the county from in front of the Cathedral, or last bus on Sunday from Eyre Square. Carnmore Airport 091 755569 is 10 km east of the city. There are five flights a day to Dublin. . Galway Airport is to the west of the city with a buses to it Monday to Saturday.
Information
The Ireland West Tourism Office 091 537 700 Forster Street has a good range of information but is often very busy. The Post Office is on Eglinton Street. For internet Access try net@ccess Cyber Cafe 091 569772 in the Old Malt shopping arcade on High Street or Centel e.centre below Kinlay House Hostel, Merchant's Row 091 566620.
Sightseeing and shopping:
Eyre Square
This public gardens surrounded by pleasant but unremarkable buildings is popular because its a great place to hang out. There are several bars and the entrance to Eyre Square Shopping Centre which has a supermarket.
High Street Area
West of Eyre Square is the medieval heart of town which has really come into its own since several streets were pedestrianised. Now tables from bars spill onto the street and good buskers can be heard every few hundred metres. Spend some time walking around this maze of streets to find the many interesting craft/alternative shops and cafes. Buttermilk lane connects two churches: the Collegiate Church of St Nicholas is a fine medieval church and the Augustinian Church. On shop street is Lynch's Castle a 16th century town house now home to a bank. At No 8 Bowling Green is the house of Nora Barnacle, long suffering wife of James Joyce, it is now a museum.
Dock Area
The Dock area to the south of the High Street has been much developed in recent years. Ferries to the Aran Islands now run from here. The Spanish Arch 1584 is all that remains of the city walls and the town's seafaring history. It was where goods were brought into the city by boat. Next to it is the small Galway City Museum 091 567 641. There is a nice little park and row of houses by the water down here on The Long Walk.
West of the River
The River Corrib cuts the town in two. On an Island is Galway Cathedral, which aims at grandeur but achieves bulk, still it is impressive on its own terms. To the south of the Cathedral is Claddagh. Until the 1930's this was the near independent Irish half of the city composed of thatched cottages. Today all that has gone, but the lively musical traditions of the area have continued (See entertainment) . The other survival is the Claddagh Ring. A crowned heart clasped by two hands. If the heart points towards the wearer he or she is married. If it points outwards it means he or she is looking for a partner. Many people buy them as reminders of Ireland and as symbols of frienship.
Salthill
Galway City's pocket sized resort with beaches and a promenade. LeisureWorld in Salthill Park, Rockbarton Road, has three modern pools. 091 521455. Galway Atlantaquaria on Seapoint Parade 091 581500 displays underwater life.
Eating
For the best value in town head for The Home Plate , 13 Mary Street, or perfect your parisian bohemian look at Left Bank Cafe, 49 Dominick Street. McDonagh's Fish and Chips, 22 Quay Street offers fish fresh from the water. The Ardbia Cafe does an up to date take on traditional food at a reasonable price.
Entertainment.
West of the River
The Claddagh area maintains its musical life and locals head over the bridges to join in. Follow their example. Freewheelers favourite session in Ireland is the nightly one upstairs at the Crane Bar, 2 Sea Road. There are always locals playing and anyone from German tourists to nationally known musicians join in. Roisin Dubh on Dominick Street is an institution, hosting just about any style of music as long as it's good and live.
East of the River
Sean Ua Neahtain, 17 Upper Cross Street, is a genuine 19th century Bar. Taafes Bar, 19 Shop Street is a popular Irish music place. the Lisheen Bar has some of the best trad music on this side of the river, 5 Bridge Street. The Blue Note, 3 West William Street has DJs,dancing and (generally) no cover charge.Head for Cuba, Eyre Square for a soulful, jazzy clubbing experience.. There are plenty more places, just head on down the street and keep your ears open.
Don't want a bar? - Try Druid Theatre, Courthouse Lane 091 568 617 with works by young Irish playwrights. Town Hall Theatre 091 569 777, Courthouse Square with mainstream shows and big name singers. An Taibhdhearc na Gaillimhe, Middle Street, 091 562 024 stages plays in Irish.
Festivals
Cuirt Poetry and Literature Festival 091 565886 every April. Galway Film Fleadh 091 751655 is in early July. The biggie is Galway Arts Festival 091 583800, late July, when beds are hard to find in town: Music, Theatre, Art, Comedy, Everything. Late July/Early August is Galway Race Week 091 753870 with races at Ballybrit and a traditional Irish Fair. The Galway International Oyster Festival is in the third week of September. Oyster Festivals happen up and down the west coast and many an innocent mollusc heads south as an excuse for a party.
Galway the Tour Centre
Many people choose to stay here while exploring the surrounding region. For transport to the Aran Islands see Aran Islands Guide page. For land based options O'Neachtain Tours 091 553188 go to Connemara, The Burren and Cliffs of Moher. Lally Coaches 091 562905 also go to Connemara and The Burren. The Corrib Princess 091 592447, Furbo Hill, Furbo cruises on River Corrib and Lough Corrib. Boats depart from Eglinton pier upriver from the Salmon Weir.
