• Eyre Square - The accredited guide will meet participants at the front entrance of the Hardiman Hotel in Eyre Square. The guide will lead the group to the main square and provide a brief overview of Galway’s rich history. Various points of interest around the square will be highlighted, including iconic buildings. The historical aspects will also be covered, such as the old Browne Doorway, the Tribes of Galway banners, the John F. Kennedy memorial, the Quincentenary Fountain, and the O’Connaire Statue.
• Williamsgate Street - The tour proceeds onto Williamsgate Street, where participants will encounter landmark buildings, including the elegant Browne Thomas building. The group will also pass by jewelers specializing in Galway’s Claddagh ring. If time permits, there will be a stop at the Oscar Wilde statue, a gift from Estonia to Ireland in 2004.
• Franciscan Church - The tour diverts down Eglinton Street, passing by the Franciscan Friary Church on the left. This historic church has a small graveyard at the rear, which was a prominent burial site in the mid-17th and early 18th centuries.
• Galway Courthouse - The tour continues towards Courthouse Square, which once housed two iconic courthouses—one for the county and one for the city. Today, one remains, and the Town Hall Theatre is located opposite.
• Galway Cathedral - Ahead, from the newly constructed pedestrian bridge over the River Corrib, the group will pause to view Europe’s newest stone cathedral, the Galway Cathedral, and the Franciscan Chapel.
• Lynch’s Castle - The tour returns via Galway’s popular River Walk to the main city artery, arriving at a two-street intersection and the iconic Lynch’s Castle building. This building is the finest surviving town-castle in Ireland, once owned by the powerful Lynch clan. The guide will explain the history of the building, its crests, and roundels.
• Market Street - The tour continues by turning right into Church Lane, once known as ‘Dead Man’s Lane,’ where funerals passed on their way to the old graveyard. The guide will discuss St. Nicholas churchyard and continue through Market Street.
• The Lynch Memorial - The Lynch Memorial window, erected in 1854, is steeped in legend. It is said that the mayor of Galway, Mayor Lynch, hanged his own son at this location.
• Bowling Green - The tour route passes close to Bowling Green, the family home of Ms. Nora Barnacle, a prominent Galwegian of the past. She famously dated Irish writer James Joyce on June 16, 1904, a day now celebrated as Bloomsday.
• Saint Nicholas’ Collegiate Church - The tour arrives at St. Nicholas’ Collegiate Church, accompanied by the guide. The guide will explain the history of this largest medieval church in continuous use in Ireland. Originally built as a Catholic church, it now functions as a Protestant church. In 1477, Christopher Columbus is said to have worshipped here before his epic voyage of discovery. There is much to see within this ancient building, and discounted tickets are available for their guided tours, which operate Monday to Friday at 11 am and 2 pm, and Wednesdays at 12 pm and 3 pm.
• Galway’s Latin Quarter - The tour arrives in High Street, a section of Galway’s Latin Quarter, and encounters the iconic King’s Head Pub. Legend has it that this pub site was gifted by Oliver Cromwell as payment to the executioner of King Charles I. Also on this street is the famous Naughton House, once owned by ‘Humanity’ Dick Martyn, an Irish MP in the British Parliament.
• Spanish Parade - The open-space area known as the Spanish Parade once contained the old Galway port until 1840. Old galley ships arrived here from Spain with wines and spices for local merchant families. The guide will also explain the significance of the Spanish Arch adjacent to this area.
• Hall of the Red Earl - The tour loops back towards the old medieval site, The Hall of the Red Earl. This was once the castle residence of the powerful Norman, Richard de Burgo. It was an important building until the late 16th century. Its ruins were lost for centuries until archaeologists discovered them in the late ‘90s.
• Druid Theatre - University graduates founded the now-famous Druid Theatre Company in 1975 in this city of culture. Druid has always maintained a vital relationship with writers Tom Murphy and Martin McDonagh. Many well-known Irish actors and directors have worked with the company over the years.
• An Taibhdhearc - The final stages of the city tour take participants up Middle Street, passing by An Taibhdhearc. This is Ireland’s only Irish-language theatre, established as a large-scale cultural project in the early 1920s when Ireland became a Free State. Micheál MacLiammóir, the first director/manager, worked there from 1928.
• St Augustine’s Catholic Parish - The guide will explain that the Augustinian Order arrived in Galway in 1500 and set up an abbey in the Forthill. Oliver Cromwell’s English army banished them for a period, but they returned in 1760 and established this building.
• Gothic and Tudor Revival-style former cathedral - Abbeygate Street Lower - The final stop will be the former Cathedral Building at Middle Street/Abbeygate Street, Galway. This old building was in use for many centuries but was deemed inadequate by Galway bishop Dr. Michael Browne in 1957.

• Adaptable walking tour
• Professional tour guide
• Small private groups
• Voucher for St Nicholas Church visit (10am and 1pm tours only)

• Tea and coffee
• Alcoholic beverages
• Private transportation
• Accomodation
• Excess Baggage

Galway, one of Ireland’s most historic cities, is steeped in rich history and captivating stories. This private walking tour focuses on the city’s History, Heritage, and Culture, tracing its journey from an Anglo-Norman past to its current status as a progressive city.

Led by a professional in Irish Tourism, this in-person tour offers an excellent opportunity to experience and learn about the ‘City of the Tribes’ directly.

The comprehensive itinerary includes visits to notable landmarks such as Galway Cathedral, Courthouse Square, Lynch’s Castle, St. Nicholas’ Church, the Latin Quarter, the Spanish Parade, and the Hall of the Red Earl archaeology site. These tours are perfect for travelers who enjoy a delightful blend of history and legend!

(Note: Discounted tickets to St. Nicholas’ Church are available exclusively for the 10 am morning tours.)

• This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled by the Supplier due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
• NOTE: A shortened version of this City tour can be offered to guests with mobility issues. Our small team have plans in place to deal with emergencies.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.