Galway Group Tour: Discover the Rich History, Heritage and Culture of the 'City of Tribes'
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Galway
Immerse yourself in the rich history, heritage, and culture of Galway on this engaging group tour. Explore top landmarks, visit popular attractions, and experience the festive Galway Christmas Market. Book now!
Duration:
2 hours, 20 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
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Eyre Square - Our accredited Guide will meet you at the FRONT entrance to the Hardiman Hotel in Eyre Square. We start our tour at the main Square and give you a brief overview of Galway’s rich history. The guide will outline the city’s unlikely rise from a Gaelic settlement on Ireland’s west coast to a wealthy and prosperous Walled city! Back then, the city was ruled over by fourteen, mostly Anglo-Norman, families, who became known as the ‘Tribes of Galway’.
Various Points of Interest around the Square will be outlined including Iconic Buildings. Historical aspect will also be covered including the old Browne Doorway and the Tribes of Galway Banners, the John F Kennedy memorial, the Quin-centenary Fountain and the O’Connaire Statue. - Eyre Square Centre - We now enter the Eyre Square Centre to view the impressive Medieval City Walls from the 13th century.
- Williamsgate Street - We now emerge onto Williams-gate St. and encounter some landmark buildings including the elegant Browne Thomas building. We also pass by Jewellers shops who specialise in Galway’s Claddagh ring. if time allows we stop at the Oscar Wilde statue, an Estonia gift to Ireland in 2004 !
- Franciscan Church - We now divert down Eglinton Street and pass by the Franciscan Friary church on the left. This iconic old church has lots of history and includes a little grave-yard at the rear which was a prominent place of burial in mid-17th and early 18th centuries.
- Galway Courthouse - We continue towards Courthouse Square, which used to have two iconic Courthouses - one for the county and one for the city. One remains today and the Town Hall Theatre is opposite.
- Galway Cathedral - Up 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 4-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 up until the mid-17th century. We explain the history of the building, its crests and roundels.
- Market Street - The tour continues by turning right into Church Lane, once called ‘Dead Man’s Lane’ where funerals passed on way into old graveyard. We talk about St. Nicholas church-yard and continue on through Market St.
- The Lynch Memorial - At this very popular Tourist attraction, we hear the story of the 15th century Lynch Memorial window and Mayor James Lynch FitzStephen. The story 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.
- Bowling Green - Our tour route passes close to Bowling Green. Here was the family home of Ms Nora Barnacle who was a prominent Galwegian in years gone by. She famously dated Irish Writer, James Joyce on 16th June 1904, thereafter known as Bloomsday! The Nora Barnacle House is believed to be Ireland’s Smallest Museum.
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Saint Nicholas’ Collegiate Church - We next arrive at the imposing Church of St Nicholas Colligate Church, a 700year old structure. Your guide will explain what you see here is the largest Medieval church in continuous use in Ireland. The church broadly outlines the story of Galway’s history! It was originally built as a Catholic Church but changed hands and was remodelled many times, depending who was in power in England.
In 1477, Christopher Columbus is said to have worshipped here prior to his epic voyage of discovery!
There is also much to see within this ancient building and there are discounts available for the 10am and 1pm tours.
Extra Note: If you are lucky enough to visit on a Saturday, you can sample all the wonders of the Saturday Market (9am-4pm) just outside the church area! -
Galway’s Latin Quarter - We arrive in 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 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 British Parliament. -
Naughton’s Pub (Tigh Neachtain) - Tig Neachtain is today one of Galway’s finest pubs. In former years it was the town-house of Richard Martin, a local Galway celebrity in his day! In his early years as a duellist, he earned the nickname ‘Hairtrigger Dick’. In later years, he was elected for Galway to the British Parliament and introduced animal rights laws, which earned him the name ‘Humanity Dick’. These laws led to the setting up of the SPCA. Martin was also 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 taste some drinks (at own expense). - Quay Street - Quay Street has been at the centre of Galway life since the city was founded almost 600 years ago. Today its a busy focal-point 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 Wolfe Tone Bridge vantage point, we can see the Claddagh Village across the River Corrib. This old Gaelic settlement was located outside the walled city of Galway. It was regarded as a fishing village with about 3000 people living here. The fishermen fished Galway Bay aboard the old Galway Hooker boats while the women-folk later sold the fish on the Spanish Parade area. Of course, the Claddagh area gave its name to the famous Claddagh Ring!
- The Spanish Arch - This open-space area, known as the Spanish Parade formally contained the old Galway port. Up until about 1660, there was a 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 the medieval Spanish Arch is located on the banks of the River Corrib.
- Hall of the Red Earl - This old Medieval site was once the castle residence of powerful Norman, Richard de Burgo. It was an important building up until the late 16th century. Its ruins had been lost for centuries till archaeologists discovered it in the late ‘90’s.
- 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.
- Kirwan’s Lane - If Quay Street is too busy or alternatively if time allows our group will divert onto Kirwans Lane off Quay Street. This little detour will allow us to walk down this secluded medieval laneway. The laneway is named after one of Galway’s Gaelic tribal families. This sublime streetscape offer us a view to 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. This is Ireland’s only Irish-language theatre. It was established as a large-scale cultural project in the early 1920, 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 setup 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 down through the years.
What's Included
- Welcoming diverse nationalities and backgrounds
- Shared walking tour experience
- Led by a professional guide
- Insightful stories of Galway’s history
- Discounted ticket for St Nicholas Collegiate Church at 1pm
- Customizable tour based on group preferences
What's Not Included
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Tea and coffee
- Extra Gratuities
Additional Information
Join us for a communal walking expedition through Galway city, an ideal activity for a morning or evening in the ‘City of the Tribes’. This guided tour is led by an expert in Irish tourism, who aims to make participants feel at home with lighthearted banter mixed with informative historical narratives.
Galway, one of the most ancient cities of Ireland, hoards a plethora of historical tales. The focus of this city scouting is the history, heritage, and culture of Galway right from its Anglo-Norman era up until its contemporary progressive city vibe.
We’ll venture through prime city landmarks such as the Galway Cathedral, Courthouse Square, Lynch’s Castle from the medieval times, St. Nicholas’ Church, the Latin Quarter, the King’s Head pub, and Spanish Parade during our walk. We’ll also discover prominent tourist spots like the Hall of the Red Earl and the Galway City Museum, with sufficient ‘free-time’ for photography and soaking in local ambiance.
- 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
- Most travellers can participate and tour is child and animal-friendly
- NOTE: Check out our Private City tour, 400766P1 where a shortened version of this group tour can be offered to guests with mobility issues.
Location
The Hardiman
Eyre Square
Go to the FRONT ENTRANCE of the Hardiman Hotel, 14/15 EYRE Square, Galway and Tour Guide with ID and yellow High-Vis jacket will meet you there.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
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Pippag42
Sep 20, 2023
Very informative on the history of Galway. Loved it! Thank you - I was the only one on the tour, but I loved every minute of it, even though it was a very hot day!
I got to see a lot of things , hidden in back streets that I would have never seen on my own. Like the old ruins they found when they were renovating a building.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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