Visit County Galway | Chauffeur Tour Ireland

When travelling into Galway city the first thing you will notice is the busy Galway harbour or Galway docks established in the 10th Century.  Many boats and ships of all sizes would come here to dock, as one of the fastest ways of travelling then would have been by sea.  The harbour is now due to have a massive redevelopment and expansion over the coming years to cope with the busy porting in the harbour.

Eyre-square | Chauffeur Services Ireland

Eyre square is also known as John F. Kennedy Memorial park, renamed in his honour as he famously visited the city just before his untimely death.  There is also a portrait of him in the park along with a statue of renowned Irish language writer Pádraic Ó Conaire.  Take a stroll through the park and enjoy the city hustle and bustle, there’s also the Eyre square shopping centre for some important retail therapy and a luxury tour in Ireland.

The Galway City Museum, although founded in the 1970’s, it’s new location is just 10 years old and behind the remarkable Spanish Arch.  The exhibitions here give a fantastic insight into the history and heritage of Galway.  There’s unique collections to view, from permanent fixtures to those on loan, helping you to envision Medieval Galway and understand why it’s such a cultural and poetic city.

One of the most prestigious of Ireland’s hotels, the  5 star G hotel has an ongoing reputation for luxury.  It was designed by legendary Irish milliner Philip Treacy and his signature style and taste can be seen throughout.  The hotel is central in Galway and boasts a deluxe Spa and gourmet food.  If you want a treat while in Galway this is definitely the place to stay, for a deluxe tour of Ireland!

The Spanish Arch in the centre of the city is part of the Latin quarter and can be viewed as part of Galway’s Medieval City walks.  The Arch was build in 1584 and was originally an extension of the city walls, in 1755 the arches were partially destroyed by a tsunami from Lisbon that hit the Irish coast.  It was thought that the immigrants used to pass through the arches as they came off the ships in the docks.

kirwans-lane-galway | Ireland Driver guides

Along a tour of Medieval Galway some of the streets still have that ancient feel, one in particular and also part of the Latin Quarter is Kirwans Lane.  The lane is Galway’s most medieval street and was in ruins for many years.  It got a much needed make-over recently.  The lane contains artefacts from the 16th and 17th Century and was notably home to two nunneries.  There are unique craft shops on the lane with traditional Irish keepsakes.

The feature that stands out in historical Shop Street is Lynch’s Castle, which was part of the the most powerful ruling tribes in Galway.  It is unusual in modern-day Ireland to have an ancient castle standing in the middle of a bustling street!  It displays gothic Ireland architecture.  Right behind Shop Street is the spirited Latin Quarter.

The lively and vigorous Latin Quarter of Galway city has two bridges leading you to it,  Wolftone Bridge and O Brien’s Bridge.  The area is comprised of 13 streets, all filled with shops pubs and restaurants. It is where you can view many of Galway’s medieval buildings, many of the most popular pubs on these streets still have their original features.  Also one of Ireland’s largest medieval churches is found here and is said to be over 700 years old.  Christopher Columbus visited and prayed in this church in 1477.  More unwelcome guests from Cromwell’s army paid the church a visit and destroyed the statues.  The church of St. Nicholas is still used as a place of worship today but there are also tours of it.

One of the most popular seaside resorts in Ireland and just 3 km from Galway city is Salthill (Bóthar na Trá, in Irish, the road by the sea). It has a 2 km long promenade ‘ The prom’ , it’s tradition that when you’ve walked the length of the prom (with the sea on your left hand side)  you kick the wall at the end of it for good luck.  Just not too hard, you don’t want a broken foot! Recent years have seen Salthill grow from a small fishing to a modern, busy resort.  It has many pubs and restaurants but also has Leisureland, a permanant funfair in Salthill with a swimming pool and arcade centre attached.  

Claddagh Ring | Family Vacations Ireland

If you are interested in a Private Tour of Galway and would like more information, please click on the Enquire button below:

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All the best,

Mike Ryan

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