Itinerary

1. Stop 01: Meet Greet & Overview of Galway

   • We start our tour here in Eyre Square, central Galway and give you a brief overview of the city's rich history. The guide will outline the city's unlikely rise from a West Coast settlement to a wealthy and prosperous Walled city and the Anglo-Norman families, known as the 'Tribes of Galway'. 
   • We outline various Points of Interest around the Square, including Iconic Buildings. The Historical aspects covered include the medieval Browne Doorway, the Tribes of Galway Banners, the John F Kennedy memorial and the Quin-centenary Fountain. 

2. Stop 02: Lynch's Castle viewing

   • The tour continues and arrives 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.

3. Stop 03: Gothic and Tudor Revival-style former Cathedral Galway

   • Our next stop will be the old Galway Pro Cathedral building at the Middle Street / Lower Abbeygate Street junction, which opened in 1821. This old building was in use for many centuries until it was deemed inadequate by Galway bishop, Dr Michael Browne. It contains many exciting features.

4. Stop 04: View and Explain the 1855 Rebuilt Augustinian Church

   • The guide will explain that the Augustinian Order arrived in Galway in 1500 and set up an Abbey in the Foothill area of the city. Oliver Cromwell's English army banished them for a period, but they returned in 1760. The current  Augustinian Church in Middle St. was established here in 1855.

5. Stop 05: Latin Quarter walk

   • We will next arrive at Galwya's Latin Quarter in the Old Town area. It includes many small streets, including High Street and Quay Street, which have been the beating heart of Galway's life for 600 years.
   • We encounter many pubs here, including the iconic King's Head and Naughton Pub and busy restaurants. Also located on Quay Street are many beautiful craft shops, the famous Dillon's Claddagh Ring, and the Aran Sweater outlets.

6. Stop 06: The Old Port and Spanish Parade areas

   • This open-space area, known as the Spanish Parade, formally contained the old Galway port. 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 Archis, located on the banks of the River Corrib, functioned as a protective structure for in-port ships in the old maritime trading days.

7. Stop 07: Kirwan's Lane and old Medieval streets

   • Our group will divert onto Kirwans Lane Galway 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 shows us 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.

8. Stop 08: the Lynch Memorial window tourist attraction

   • We spend 5 to 6 minutes at the very popular Tourist attraction, the Lynch Memorial Window and hear the story of the 15th century Mayor James Lynch FitzStephen. The story involves his privileged son, Walter, who is in 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.

9. Stop 09: St Nicholas's Church

   • This famous church has existed for 700 years, is older than the city and has a fascinating history. Your guide will explain what you see here: the largest medieval church in continuous use in Ireland. The church broadly outlines the story of Galway's history! It was initially built as a Catholic Church but changed hands many times. In 1477, the explorer Christopher Columbus is said to have worshipped here before his epic voyage of discovery!

10. Stop 10: The new Galway Cathedral , Cathedral square

    • Up ahead, from the newly constructed pedestrian bridge over the River Corrib, our group will pause to view Europe's newest stone cathedral. The New Galway Cathedral opened in 1965.

11. Stop 11: Board the Corrib Princess river-boat for Sightseeing

    • We eventually arrived at Woodquay on the Corrib River. Your guide will take you to board the Corrib Princess Riverboat Cruise for a sightseeing tour and river cruise, which takes 1.5 hours. Some beautiful sights along the river include the ruins of Terryland Castle, Menlo Castle, the old French estate of Glenlo Abbey and the Golf course. The boat will encounter Rowing students from the nearby University of Galway. The riverboat eventually arrives at Lake Corrib, traverses part of the lake and returns to port. 
    • After the cruise, we re-assemble back at the Quayside and gradually return to our starting point