Galway Ireland

Galway is a little bit of heaven sitting on the West Coast of Ireland. It dates back to 1124 when the King of Connacht built a fort there, and a small village began to grow. That settlement began to thrive during the Middle Ages under the Tribes of Galway, a group of merchant families.

Today, Galway is a bustling city that feels young but still maintains its delightful roots. It is known as the Bilingual Capital of Ireland because it is one of the few cities where the Irish language is commonly spoken. It is considered the gateway to Connemara and the Aran Islands, considered the most extensive Irish-speaking community in Ireland.

Galway is home to the National University of Ireland, Galway, and that may account for its development as a center for high-tech industry. It certainly accounts for the high energy feel of the place, particularly in the evening when wandering the city’s restaurants and pubs. There are young people everywhere enjoying the city and one another.

Galway’s city center sits on the banks of the River Corrib. It’s a compact area that has had a great deal of restoration, and it is easy to explore on foot. Eyre (pronounced air) Square is a focal point for the east of the city. John F. Kennedy visited Galway just a few months before his death and spoke in the park in the middle of the square. There is a plaque commemorating the event.

From there, a walk down William Street and Shop Street leads to the city’s “Latin Quarter.” A side street leads to the Collegiate Church of St. Nicholas of Myra, the biggest medieval parish church in the country.

Closer to the banks of the Corrib, you’ll find the Old Quays, site of the Spanish Arch, so named because it’s where ships unloaded their cargo, with most of the produce having come from Spain. Here, also, is the Galway City Museum.

West of the city itself is Salthill, Galway’s seaside resort, with beaches that are popular with families in the summer. It’s a fun day trip with a boardwalk, fast food stands, arcade games, and an amusement park.

For the golfer, County Galway offers plenty of opportunities for play. Galway Golf Club is located at Salthill, with its arresting views of the Galway Bay and the Aran Islands. Tuam to the north, Athenry to the east, and Connemara, northwest to the sea, all offer splendid golfing experiences.