County Galway

Click here to see all B&B's in Galway

Galway has several distinct areas – Galway City, the county, Connemara and the Aran Islands. The City is very much the focal point of the county, drawing people at all times of the year because of its countless social, leisure and cultural activities. It’s a university city with an emphasis on arts, music and theatre and great fun too. The county, which is divided by Ireland’s second biggest lake Lough Corrib, is renowned for its festivals, with everything from music to horses and bogs to drama.

Connemara offers rugged scenery, boglands, mountains and sandy beaches and also encompasses the Irish-speaking Gaeltacht region. The Aran Islands provide some of Europe’s more interesting pre-Christian sites, found on rough terrain surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean.

History and Heritage

Galway is very much part of Ireland’s cultural heart. It has over 50 festivals every year which celebrate such things as the oyster season, local arts and culture, music, the Irish language and so much more.

Galway has numerous ecclesiastical and historical sites of architectural, archeological, artistic and visual significance and there are plans to gain UN World Heritage Status for the Aran Islands. A Galway East Ecclesiastical Trail features over 40 sites of interest to culture and heritage seekers. It also features Portumna Castle on the banks of the Shannon and Thoor Ballylee and Coole Park associated with literary legends W.B. Yeats and Lady Gregory, founder of Ireland’s National Theatre.

Sites to see

Galway East Ecclesiastical Trail. The Iron Age Turoe stone near Loughrea. 17th Century Castle and Gardens at Portumna. The remains of Arkin's Castle, Inishmore.

Sports and Leisure

With such stunning and diverse scenery, it’s no surprise to learn that walking is so popular in Galway as it’s the best way to get a feel for this remarkable place.

Angling is, of course, much in evidence, as there are opportunities to fish on rivers, lakes and sea.

Galway offers unparalleled opportunities for planning your own driving routes and undertaking a range of outdoor activities such as golfing, sailing and diving.

They’re keen on horse-racing out in the West and the annual Galway Race Week at Ballybrit is one of the sporting and social highlights of the year in the entire county.

Eat, Drink and Stay

Finding good places to eat in Galway is not difficult as it’s probably the culinary centre of the West, with something to suit all tastes. All of the top hotels have top class restaurants while the best of the ‘independents’ include Da Roberta, Nimmo’s and Oscar’s in Galway city and Togher’s (Ballinasloe), O’Grady’s on the Pier (Barna), Finn’s (Tuam) and The Old School House (Clarinbridge) around the county.

Sehan Ua Neachtain’s, Crane Bar and Roisin Dubh (all Galway city), O’Dowd’s of Roundstone and Teach Osta on Inishmaan are considered among the most atmospheric pubs in the county but there is really no shortage. Others worth visiting include Moran’s on the Weir at Kilcolgan, the Pier Head Bar and Tullys in Kinvara and John J.Burke’s in Clonbur.

Galway is one of the most visited counties in the country so good quality B&B accommodation is on hand to meet the demand and is not hard to find.

Festivals

April: Cuirt Poetry & Literature Festival, Galway City

May: Connemara Bog Week at Letterfrack

June: Siamsa Seisiun, Galway City Roundstone Arts Week Salthill Airshow

July: Galway Arts Festival An tSuca Fiain, Ballinasloe

August: Cruinniu na mBad (Gathering of the Boats) – Kinvara Connemara Pony Show Galway Race Week at Ballybrit

September: Galway & Clarinbridge Oyster Festivals Clifden Arts Week

October: Ballinasloe October Fair & Festival

Things you have to see or do

Dun Aengus – ancient fort on a 300ft cliff face on Inishmore island

Aran Islands – all of them, if you have the time!

Connemara Safari – walking tour round Connemara and the islands

Kylemore Abbey – near Letterfrack

Dunguaire Castle – in Kinvara

Useful links

Fáilte Ireland - West Region www.irelandwest.ie

Macnas www.macnas.com

Connemara www.connemara.net