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Galway |
Galway
With its narrow streets full of vibrant pubs and old stone shop fronts, Galway is an exceptionally enjoyable, free-spirited place to spend a few days, especially if they coincide with one of the cultural festivals held during various months of the year. Galway is a very arts-oriented city, and there are many event and festivals, including the February Jazz Festival, the Easter Festival of Literature and the July Arts Festival, when the streets are alive with music and dancing and the town feasts on Guinness and oysters.
The town centre has many attractions, including the bustling Spanish Parade, Eyre Square and the nearby medieval quarter as well as the infamous Lynch's Castle. There are many picturesque churches and buildings, particularly along St Patrick's Street, a pedestrianised thoroughfare also known for its shopping.
Galway's famous bay is also a popular destination for boats with its sailing races. Situated on the periphery of the Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking area), Galway is an important tourist centre and makes a good base from which to explore the magnificent scenery of surrounding areas like the beautiful Connemara and Aran Islands. To the East lies picturesque, rolling farmland.
Attractions
Galway City Museum © Shane.Halloran
Galway City Museum
Founded in July 2006, the Galway City Museum (Músaem Cathrach na Gaillimhe) showcases the history and heritage of the city. The Medieval Galway exhibit includes artefacts such as ceramics from the Middle Ages and silverware used by the Dominican Nuns of Galway. The venue also offers fantastic views of the Spanish Arch, Galway Bay and the River Corrib.Address: Spanish Parade; E-mail: museum@galwaycity.ie; Website: www.galwaycitymuseum.ie; Telephone: (091) 532 460; Opening time: 10am-5pm Tuesday to Saturday.; Admission: Free
Excursions
Aran Islands
Aran Islands, with their magnificent wild terrain, display evidence of the years of battering by wind and water. The islands - Inishmore, Inishmaan and Inisheer - lie about 30 miles (48km) out across the mouth of Galway Bay and are criss-crossed by miles of stone walls and dotted with some fine iron age archaeological sites. The islands' isolation allowed Irish culture to survive when it had all but disappeared elsewhere. Irish is still the native tongue, and until recently people still wore traditional Aran dress. The women still knit the famous Aran sweaters; historically each family used a different pattern in order to recognize fishermen drowned at sea. The islands are a haven for botanists and nature lovers with their abundance of flora, fauna and nesting birds.E-mail: info@visitaranislands.com; Website: www.visitaranislands.com; Telephone: (099) 61355; Transport: Ferry from Galway City Dockside
Cliffs of Moher
The majestic Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland's top visitor sights overlooking the Atlantic Ocean in County Clare. The majestic cliffs rise from the ocean to a height of 702ft (214m) and extend for a distance of five miles (8km). Formed by layers of sandstone, shale and siltstone, the cliffs have stood unchanged for millions of years, and they welcome visitors who come to marvel at their splendour, and to enjoy views towards the Aran Islands in Galway Bay, as well as the valleys and hills of Connemara. The award-winning visitor centre offers an ultra-modern interpretive centre, Atlantic Edge, which includes interactive exhibits and displays, images, an audio visual show, and a virtual reality cliff face adventure.E-mail: info@cliffsofmoher.ie; Website: www.cliffsofmoher.ie; Telephone: (0)65 708 6141; Opening time: New Visitor Experience opens 9am-5:30pm (January and February), 9am-6pm (March, April and October), 8:30am-9pm (May to September), 9:30am-5pm (November and December).; Admission: €6 (adults), €4 (students and seniors), children under 16 free.
Connemara
Wild and barren, Connemara is a stunning patchwork of bogs, green valleys, mountains and lakes. On the coast are beautiful fishing villages and some superb white beaches washed by turquoise water - if by chance the weather is good, one could mistake it for Paradise. The Connemara National Park encompasses the remarkable granite peaks of the Twelve Bens and is wonderful walking country.E-mail: info@connemara-tourism.org; Website: www.connemara-tourism.org; Telephone: Connemara Tourism: +353 95 22622