• Eyre Square - Our certified guide will meet you at the main entrance of the Hardiman Hotel in Eyre Square. We provide a tour itinerary here. Our journey begins at the central square, where the guide will offer a brief overview of Galway’s rich history. We’ll discuss the city’s remarkable transformation from a Gaelic settlement on Ireland’s west coast to a prosperous walled city. We’ll share stories about the 14 merchant families of Galway, various points of interest, iconic buildings, and historical aspects around the square. Highlights include the old Browne Doorway, the Tribes of Galway banners, the John F. Kennedy memorial, and the Quincentenary Fountain.
• Williamsgate Street - We proceed to Williamsgate Street and encounter notable buildings, including the elegant Browne Thomas building. We also pass by jewelers specializing in Galway’s Claddagh ring. If time permits, we stop at the Oscar Wilde statue, a gift from Estonia to Ireland in 2004.
• Franciscan Church - We then head down Eglinton Street, passing the Franciscan Friary church on the left. This historic church features a small graveyard at the rear, a significant burial site in the mid-17th and early 18th centuries.
• Eyre Square Centre - Next, we enter the Eyre Square Centre to view the impressive medieval city walls from the 13th century.
• Galway Cathedral - Ahead, from the newly constructed pedestrian bridge over the River Corrib, our 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 famous River Walk to the main city artery. We arrive at a two-street intersection and the iconic Lynch’s Castle building. This four-story rectangular mansion is the oldest in the city and the finest surviving town-castle in Ireland. It was once the ancestral home of the powerful Lynch clan until the mid-17th century. We explain the building’s history, crests, and roundels.
• Market Street - The tour continues by turning right into Church Lane, once called ‘Dead Man’s Lane,’ where funerals passed on the way to the old graveyard. We discuss St. Nicholas churchyard and continue through Market Street.
• Galway Courthouse - We proceed towards Courthouse Square, which once had two iconic courthouses—one for the county and one for the city. One remains today, and the Town Hall Theatre is opposite.
• Bowling Green - Our tour route passes close to Bowling Green, the family home of Ms. Nora Barnacle, a prominent Galwegian. She famously dated Irish writer James Joyce on June 16, 1904, now known as Bloomsday. The Nora Barnacle House is believed to be Ireland’s smallest museum.
• Saint Nicholas’ Collegiate Church - We next arrive at the imposing Church of St. Nicholas Collegiate Church, a 700-year-old structure. Your guide explains 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’s much to see within this ancient building, and we offer discounted tickets for their guided tours, which operate Monday to Friday at 11 am and 2 pm, and Wednesdays at 12 pm and 3 pm.

Extra Note: If you visit on a Saturday, you can enjoy the wonders of the Saturday Market (8 am-4 pm) just outside the church area!

• Galway’s Latin Quarter - We arrive at High Street, a section of Galway’s Latin Quarter, and encounter 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, we pass by the famous Naughton House, once owned by ‘Humanity’ Dick Martyn, an Irish MP in the British Parliament.
• The Lynch Memorial - At this popular tourist attraction, we hear the story of the 15th-century Lynch Memorial window and Mayor James Lynch FitzStephen. The tale involves his privileged son, Walter, a love rivalry, a violent confrontation, and the son paying the ultimate price issued by a stern, justice-of-the-peace father. The window commemorates this enduring legend and was erected in 1854.
• Quay Street - Quay Street has been at the center of Galway life since the city was founded almost 600 years ago. Today, it’s a bustling thoroughfare with several pubs, restaurants, cafes, and lots of music. Also located here is a medieval castle, the Claddagh Ring Museum, and even a building that housed Galway’s first nightclub.
• Wolfe Tone Bridge - From our vantage point on Wolfe Tone Bridge, we can see the Claddagh Village across the River Corrib. This old Gaelic settlement was located outside the walled city of Galway and was regarded as a fishing village with about 3,000 residents. The fishermen fished Galway Bay aboard the old Galway Hooker boats, while the women later sold the fish in the Spanish Parade area. The Claddagh area gave its name to the famous Claddagh Ring.
• The Spanish Arch - This open-space area, known as the Spanish Parade, once contained the old Galway port. Until about 1660, there was brisk foreign trade between Galway, France, Spain, and Portugal. Old galley ships frequented here with goods, including wines and spices for local merchant families. Adjacent to here is the medieval Spanish Arch, located on the banks of the River Corrib.
• Hall of the Red Earl - This old medieval site 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.
• Naughton’s Pub (Tigh Neachtain) - Tig Neachtain is today one of Galway’s finest pubs. In former years, it was the townhouse of Richard Martin, a local Galway celebrity. In his early years as a duelist, he earned the nickname ‘Hairtrigger Dick.’ In later years, he was elected for Galway to the British Parliament and introduced animal rights laws, earning him the name ‘Humanity Dick.’ These laws led to the establishment of the SPCA. Martin was also the landlord of a substantial area of Connemara.
  Note: If group members are interested, we can return to this fine pub in the heart of the medieval quarter and enjoy some drinks (at your own expense).
• Kirwan’s Lane - If Quay Street is too busy or if time allows, our group will divert onto Kirwan’s Lane off Quay Street. This little detour allows us to walk down this secluded medieval laneway. The laneway is named after one of Galway’s Gaelic tribal families. This sublime streetscape offers a glimpse into past times when Galway city was regarded as ‘the finest in the Kingdom.’ Also located here is the site of the former Richard ‘Humanity Dick’ Martin Theatre.
• An Taibhdhearc - The final stages of our city tour take us up Middle Street, where we pass by An Taibhdhearc, Ireland’s only Irish-language theatre. It was established as a large-scale cultural project in the early 1920s when Ireland became a Free State. Micheal MacLiamor, 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 area of the city. Oliver Cromwell’s English army banished them for a period, but they returned in 1760 and established this building.
• 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.
• Gothic and Tudor Revival-style former cathedral - Abbeygate Street Lower - Our final stop will be the old Galway Cathedral building at the Middle Street/Abbeygate Street junction. This old building was in use for many centuries until it was deemed inadequate by Galway bishop Dr. Michael Browne.

• Respect cultural diversity and welcome inclusion of all nationalities and backgrounds
• Comprehensive tour with entertaining stories of Galway’s history
• Private city tour with professional guide
• Discount ticket to visit St Nicholas Collegiate Church (10am Tours only)
• Adaptable walking tour to individual wishes with group agreement

• Alcoholic Beverages
• Tea and coffee
• Extra Gratuities