Galway City Walking Tour Preview

Located in the heart of the medieval City Of Galway, John F Kennedy Park, commonly known as Eyre Square, is the center and focal point of Galway life.

Eyre Square has origins in medieval times, during which markets would take place on the green right in front of the town gates. Ash trees were planted and a wooden fence was erected in order to enclose the space in 1631 and it wasn’t until 1710 that the plot of land was officially presented to the city by its namesake, Mayor Edward Eyre.

Over the years the square received numerous adjustments and alterations, taking on a number of different guises in doing so. In 1801, General Meyrick constructed a stone wall around the square, after which the area became known as Meyrick Square. In the late 1700s, the wooden fence was replaced with iron railings and during the mid-19th century, the park underwent a Georgian style redevelopment. It wasn’t until the 1960s that a full-scale reconstruction was initiated and during this, the iron railings were removed and can be seen today surrounding the backyard of St Nicholas’ Collegiate Church, at the other end of the City.

The map pin takes you to the Memorial monument of former United States president John F Kennedy, who visited Galway in 1963, just 5 months prior to his assasination.

Lynch’s Castle, situated between Shop Street and Abbeygate Street, which now houses the AIB bank, is a striking example of a medieval fortified house. The castle is four storeys high, with embellished carved windows, gargoyles, and ornamental moldings and cornices. Built by the powerful Lynch family as protection from raids, parts of the limestone building may date back to the 14th century, but the bulk of it was built in the 16th century. The Lynches, of Anglo-Norman descent, were one of the powerful 14 tribes who ruled Galway.

Lynch’s Window stands in Market Street at the side of St. Nicholas’ Church. This window commemorates one of Galway’s most fascinating, and gruesome legends. According to local tradition, in 1493, the mayor of Galway, James Lynch FitzStephen, who was also the local magistrate, executed his own son, having found him guilty of murdering a Spanish man in the care of the family, He hanged him from the window of his family home to demonstrate that he was a just magistrate! This event coined the phrase "Lynching" for the act of being summarily hung without a trial!

St. Nicholas Collegiate Church in Galway, is the largest medieval parish church, in continuous use as a place of worship, in Ireland.

St. Nicholas’ Church is dedicated to St Nicholas of Myra, (Santa Claus,) patron saint of children and mariners. There is some disagreement about when it was built, but it was certainly finished by 1320. The oldest inhabitant of the church is Adam Bures, whose grave marker dates from the 13th century and is fondly known as the Crusader.

Of the visitors to St Nicholas’ over the centuries, the most famous is probably Christopher Columbus, who likely prayed here during a visit to Galway in 1477. Less welcome were Cromwell's troops who used the church as a stable for their horses after the siege of Galway in 1652. They are blamed for the headless and handless state of most of the carved figures inside the church.

Explore Quay Street, one of the city's most lively and fun pedestrianized areas to visit in Galway. Take a stroll and admire the beautiful historic buildings, window-shop at one of many artisan boutiques, and people-watch from a café or restaurant. Don't miss a stop at one of the pubs along the way. This street is known for having some of the best nightlife in Galway because of its welcoming atmosphere!

The Spanish Arch dates back to pre-medieval times, and was built in 1584 but is an extension of the 12th-century Norman-built town wall. It housed soldiers who kept watch, and manned cannons on the roof. Constructed by William Martin, the 34th mayor of Galway, The name Spanish Arch is thought to be a reference to the former merchant trade with Spain, and Spanish galleons, which often docked here. In medieval times, European ships carrying cargo of wine and spices, sold their goods at the docks.

In the 1800s, the Eyre family added the Long Walk extension.

Galway City Museum is located at the Spanish Arch, one of the most historic parts of Galway. Situated behind the famous Spanish Arch, Galway City Museum houses exhibitions that explore aspects of the history and heritage of Galway City.

Among the Museum highlights are the Galway Civic Sword and Great Mace. The Civic Sword dates from the Charter of King James I in 1610, which granted authority for the carrying of such a weapon before the Mayor. The Great Mace, a massive piece of ornamental silverwork crafted in Dublin in 1710, was presented to the town by Edward Eyre, Mayor of Galway, in 1712. The building is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am until 5 pm and admission is FREE.

Built in 1818, the Salmon Weir Bridge is the oldest surviving bridge over the River Corrib.

The original purpose of the structure was to link the county courthouse with the county jail on Nun’s Island, the latter having stood where Galway Cathedral now stands. It was also to provide a connection with the main road to Connemara.

Between April and July, the bridge offers a great viewing point to watch the silvery salmon below, fight their way upstream, back to their traditional spawning grounds on Lough Corrib.

The best vantage point to view (and photograph) the bridge, is from the new Walking and cycling bridge adjacent to the Salmon Weir, which opened in 2023

Galway Cathedral, which was dedicated in 1965, was the last major stone cathedral to be built in Europe. Located in the heart of Galway City, the cathedral boasts an impressive variety of interior art, such as statues, mosaics, and stained glass.

Galway Cathedral was constructed in the late 1950s, at a time when most similar buildings were using concrete. It is, therefore, the youngest of Europe’s great stone cathedrals. Dedicated to Our Lady Assumed into Heaven, and St. Nicholas, it was designed by J.J. Robinson, in a very eclectic style. It includes some Renaissance details, mixed with the Romanesque and Gothic traditions.

The cathedral also boasts an impressive variety of art, including a statue of the Virgin, by Imogen Stuart, a large Crucifixion mosaic, by Patrick Pollen, rose windows, by George Campbell, and more.

The King's Head Pub, located on High Street in downtown Galway City is in a building that can trace its history back over 800 years! The pub got its infamous name from the legend of the execution of King Charles the First of England in 1649, after the English Civil War. As the English executioner refused to behead the King, Volunteers were sought in Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. Eventually, as legend has it, a Galway man named Colonel Peter Stubbers was selected for the job and was given the property as payment, which he opened as an alehouse called the King's Head!