Galway

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Galway, called Gailimh in Irish, with a population of over 70,000, is Ireland's fourth largest town and is a major hub for visits to West Ireland. It has long since been known as "The City of the Tribes" and this title could not be more appropriate these days, given the multicultural vibrancy of present-day Galway.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By bus or train

  • Iarnród Éireann operates six trains per day (four on Sunday) from Dublin Heuston Station.
  • Bus Éireann buses run frequently from destinations through the country.
  • CityLink buses provide direct service to Shannon Airport, Dublin and Dublin Airport.

National bus and rail both arrive at the same station, just east of Eyre Square on Station Road. CityLink buses arrive and depart from the Tourist Office, one block north of the bus station.

[edit] By plane

The airport is about 10km east of the town, but public transportation links are poor, with only one bus per day, departing the bus station at 12.50 and returning from the airport at 13.25. if you do take this route please let them know this is poor!! their is another bus service that only goes outbound, it leaves the Central Station at 16:15, A taxi will cost about €15 and upward to €20, this is high as the Airport charge €5 to taxis serving the airport. You could walk to near by petrol station [5mins] and call one from their, saving you €5.

Car Rentals are available.

  • Shannon Airport is the main airport serving Galway. It is an international airport with many more flights available than Galway Airport, is served by an hourly bus to Galway, car rentals are also available. It is about 1 1/2 hours in the bus to Galway, but about an hour in a car.

[edit] By car

  • From Dublin, take the N4 west until the N6 splits off to the south. Follow the N6 for the rest of the trip.
  • As in most places in Ireland, parking is expensive. However there is long term parking next to the cathedral available €3/day, and if you are leaving in the morning, many pay and display lots offer cheap or free overnight parking (18h-6h).

[edit] Get around

Central Galway is easily accessible on foot, but if you need to go further afield, both Bus Éireann and CityLink run local bus networks. Avoid taking the car when going to or anywhere near the town centre.

[edit][add listing] See

Galway is a perfect base for seeing the West Ireland, but it is also worth a visit in itself. Although it has only a few typical sightseeing spots what makes it a wonderful place to stay is the atmosphere, the culture, the people, the events.

The pedestrian shopping area south of Eyre Square, is a pleasant place to walk around. And if the traditional Irish rain starts, just visit the Eyre Square shopping center, where they have put a roof above parts of the old town wall and so included them into the shopping mall, a beautiful combination of old and new.

At the south end of the pedestrian mall, is the Spanish Arch, one of the few remaining parts of the town's ancient defenses. The park adjacent to the arch is a popular place to sit and relax, while watching the Corrib flow out into Galway Bay.

[edit][add listing] Do

  • Check local free paper the Galway Advertiser [1] for up to date info on cultural events, concerts and plays, as well as the latest local news. Available on Thursdays it is usually snapped up quickly.
  • The Galway Atlantaquaria, Seapoint Promenade, Salthill (Follow the R336 (Griffin Road) southwest from the city centre), 091 585100 (atlantaquaria@eircom.net) [2], is a must see if you are interested in the sea and its inhabitants. It is not the usual tropical fish collection that you might find anywhere, but they have beautifully mirrored the life around the Irish coasts and show the animals and plants in a realistic environment, just as you might find them 50 meters outside of the building in the real sea. Be sure to ask one of the staff about the 30 cm large but harmless giant crabs on the second floor, he might just pick one out of the basin and put it into your hands, an experience you´ll never forget! Or pet the flounders and rays in the "touch pool".
  • Galway Tours [3] run scheduled walking tours of Galway City.
  • 'The Volvo Ocean Race visits Galway in May/June 2009[4]': On the 23rd of May 2009 the Volvo Ocean Race (VOR) will arrive in Galway after racing from Boston and stay for a two week stopover. Visitors to Galway will get a chance to experience the spectacle of the VO70 sailing boats including in-port racing and enjoy everything special that the West of Ireland has to offer.

Official Galway Volvo Ocean Race Website :[5]

[edit][add listing] Buy

The main shopping area runs south from Eyre Square towards the Corrib. This pedestrian zone includes Williams Street, Shop Street, High Street, Mainguard Street and Quay Street. Along it you can find all kinds of shops, pubs and restaurants. The historical buildings and busy atmosphere also make this area one of the attractions of Galway.

Discover Middle Street, which runs parallel to Shop Street, and is the location of a range of inspiring and creative local enterprises. You will find the Irish speaking Theater "An Taibhearc" across from the designer studio "cocoon", along with Charlie Byrne's bookstore, Kenny's gallery and a Japanese restaurant to make an interesting spectrum.

Eyre Square Centre is a modern shopping centre almost entirely hidden behind historical facades. Entrances can be found on the south side of Eyre Square and on Williams Street.

[edit][add listing] Eat

  • For those on a budget, there is a grocery shop in Eyre Square Centre, but beware that they close at 19h00. Tesco on the Headford road, however, is open 24 hours On Saturdays, there is a small market on Churchyard Street, beside the Anglican Church.
  • Ed's New York Pizza, 3 Prospect Hill (Eyre Square), ☎ 091 530-893, [6]. Authentic New York style pizza using imported Italian tomatoes and fresh ingredients. Pizza sold by the slice, eat in, carry out or delivery. edit

  • Fat Freddy's Famous Pizziera & Bistro, The Halls, Quay Street, 091 567279, [7], One of Galway cities longest established restaurants, synonymous with Quay Street in Galway city centre, for the excellent atmosphere, service and, of course, food.
  • McCambridges, Shop Street have a deli counter for take away sandwiches which is quite good. They also have grocery items which might be harder to track down in the usual supermarkets.
  • Sheridan's Cheesemongers, Kirwans Lane, 091 564829 (fax 091 564 829, info@irishcheese.com), [8], is a great place to get wine, pates, bread, and cheese of course.
  • McDonagh's Seafood, 22 Quay Street, 091 565001, is famous for its fish and chips, and has very good prices on takeaway.

  • McSwiggans, 3 Eyre Street, 091 568917, Restaurant on the two floors above the bar. Open to 10.30PM, 11PM Th-Su. The food is varied, includes curries, seafood and steaks. Main courses 12-20€.
  • Oscar's Restaurant, [9], on upper Dominick Street looks unassuming enough from the outside, but offers some of the best food in town. Their Seafood Platter has to be seen to be believed!

[edit][add listing] Drink

  • Galway City Pub Guide is a good resource to check out pubs and clubs in Galway.You view reviews, photos and videos. You can also add your comments about pubs you have visited.[10]
  • Technically drinking in public is not allowed in Galway but enforcement of this rule is unfeasible during summer months and well behaved groups are usually left alone. Don't mingle too near to obviously drunk people though as the authorities will likely confiscate all visible alcohol.
  • Cookes Thatch Pub is one of only two remaining Thatch Pubs in Galway. Dating back to the 1600's, the trad music sessions on wednesday and Sunday night are unmissable [11]
  • The King's Head Pub has decent prices and a nightly cover band.
  • Near the King's Head Pub on High St. is Freeneys. It is a fine "old man" establishment with the best Guinness in town. also popular with students who want to drink a few quiet ones.
  • For the more traditional minded, Monroe's Tavern, just south of the Corrib and visible from the Spanish Arch, has traditional music every night and set dancing on Tuesdays. Highly Recommended if you're in town on Tuesday night.
  • Roisin Dubh, [12], on Dominick Street, near Monroe's, is perfect for those of you who like alternative and rock music, and on Wednesdays hosts a popular comedy night showcasing local and international acts.
  • The Quays is warm and offers good live folk music and as well as cover bands.
  • Cuba, [13] is the club of choice if you don't like most clubs. The lower floor is a typical night club with commercial music, but the upper floor has very good indie music and/or live bands depending on the day of week. The bar on the ground floor, Bar 903, has a late licence most nights.
  • The Victoria Hotel once an old fogeys paradise has been an underground haunt for fans of electronica on Fridays and Saturdays for some time now. Keep your eyes peeled for the excellent '110th Street' nights.

'Bierhaus' on Dominic Street, just down from the Roisin Dubh. Best pub in Galway if you want to sample beers from around the world. Handsome barstaff, good atmosphere, dukebox(sic), and nice selection of johnathons in the lav all contribute to a good night.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Hostels

  • Galway City Hostel, Frenchville Lane, (Phone number ?) A really nice place, with competent prices. Straight across the train station, next to Eyre Square. Great staff. Free tea and coffee all day. Currently doesn't have the best luggage storage facilities, and the place can feel a little cramped. But it is the best hostel to meet people and party at.
  • Kinlay House, Merchant's Road, 091 565244 (fax 091 565245, kinlay.galway@usit.ie), [14], on the south-east corner of Eyre Square is an affordable, clean and central hostel. Included with a bed is a breakfast of unlimited tea and toast.
  • Sleepzone, Bothar Na mBan (One block west and one block north of Eyre Square), 091 566999 (fax 091 566996, info@sleepzone.com), [15], is a large hostel (200+ beds) in central Galway, just off the main square. It is quite new and has modern kitchen facilities, and a free internet cafe (and wireless, too). It's very clean, and well-run. Everyone from school groups to backpackers to families stay here. The staff are amazing and available at all hours if you need anything. Additionally, they provide a shuttle service to their affiliated hostel in Connemara, departing at 11h00 and 19h30 daily, for €5. (Note: This shuttle only runs in the summer.)

[edit] Bed and Breakfasts

  • 'Slieve Mor B&B

Nice and friendly B&B in the Lower salthill area of the city 10 minutes to town and 5 minutes to salthill beach and town.

  • 'Dun Aoibhinn House,("map") City Centre [16], 00353(0) 87 9306167

Dun Aoibhinn House is a beautifully restored period style Guesthouse in Galway City. It is situated a pleasant 5 minute walk from the City centre, National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG) and University College Hospital Galway (UCHG). It is also within easy walking distance of Salthill Beach and attractions. Located on St Mary's Road in the heart of Galway City, there are ample private safe parking facilities

  • Tara House, Salthill (map), 091 527966,[17]. Tara House Bed and Breakfast situated in Salthill is in the perfect location, just 200 metres from promenade and famous Galway Bay. It is close to golf clubs, fishing, tennis, leisureland and Pearse G.A.A Stadium. Bus stop to the Centre is directly outside main entrance. This family owned Bed & Breakfast with private car park is the ideal base for touring Aran Islands, Connemara, Cliffs of Moher and the Burren. Our generously sized en-suite rooms have multi-channel T.V, direct-dial telephones,wireless internet, hairdryer, ironing, tea and coffee making facilities. Ground floor accommodation available.
  • City Centre Accommodation

City centre accommodation located in a quite residential area in the heart of the city. Only a 5 minute walk from Galway's train and bus station. Rooms are en-suite with private off-road car parking and offered on a room only basis at a resonable price.

0861765180 / 00353861765180 galwaycityrooms@gmail.com

[edit] Hotel

  • Connemara Coast Hotel, Tel: +353 91 592108, [18]
  • Clybaun Coast Hotel, [19]

[edit] Learn

[edit] Get out

Galway is the ideal base for trips throughout western Ireland. Hiring a car is a good way to see attractions in the surrounding area. Alternately, day tours of The Burren and the Cliffs of Moher, and of Connemara are available at the tourist office.

Several outlets around town and at the tourist office sell ferry tickets to the Aran Islands.

Galway Tours[20] offer guided walking tours of Galway City and hiking trips in Connemara.

For hitchhikers hoping to see the rest of Connaught, the best place to catch rides is near the Galway Shopping Centre, north of the city centre. There are several roundabouts nearby, so it should be easy to pick the road heading in the same direction as you are. Word of mouth may be useful for catching a lift to Dublin and other destinations. Ask around in your hotel or hostel.

[edit] Stay safe

Galway is safe town by any standards. It's a small town compared to Dublin, and it luckily doesn't have to deal with the problems big cities have.

With that said, it is a party town and the weekends can get pretty crazy. Keep your wits about you, and stay in groups if you don't know the city. For example, I have seen a man (quite intoxicated) get swarmed by Roma in the City Centre. If you do get lost, the locals are always helpful.Despite Galways reputation as a safe place like everywhere galway has a troublesome element so do bear that in mind.

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