Travel guide to Galway
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Galway City
Galway situated west of Ireland is a diverse region and the second largest county in Ireland. A university city and the fastest growing city in Europe. Connemara, in the west lying between the lake and the Atlantic is dominated by the rocky mountains known as the Twelve Bens. A fertile limestone plain on the Roscommon border and the River Shannon on the east of Lough Corrib.
Galway City Attractions
Eyre Square – in 1710 the Mayor Edward Eyre presented the plot to the city, from whom the square got its name. The square was originally fenced in wood, in 17 th century with iron railings and in 1960’s the old fencing was removed and erected around St. Nicholas Collegiate Church. In1965 the square was renamed as ‘Kennedy Memorial Park’ in honour of US President John F. Kennedy, who was assissnated after his visit to this place.
Padhraig O’ Conaire – the sculpture of Galway by author Padhraig O’ Conaire was unveiled in 1934, one of the most cherished limestone monuments. The birthplace of the author was a pub in the dock area and during his short life span he produced 24 books in Irish language.
Lynch Castle – located on the corner of Shop Street and Abbeygate Street provides glimpse of old Galway. The historic limestone building of the Irish Gothic style is home of Galway’s most powerful family. The carved façade bears the arms of Henry VIII and the 1651’s pictorial map of the city includes the Lynch Castle.
Lynch Memorial Window – the Mayor of Galway James Lynch FitzStephen hanged his son from the window of his home in 1493, according to a local tradition. Lynch’s window stands in Market Street at the side of St. Nicholas Church and is set in a stone façade.
The Town Clock – located in the tower of St. Nicholas church was a gift from a former Rector Dr. O’ Sullivan and was installed in 1898. The clock has three dials facing south, east and west and a bell strikes on the hour.
St. Nicholas Church – collegiate church is one of the oldest parish churches in Ireland and 14 th century place of worship. The church is dedicated to the patron saint of sailors common with many medieval ports and visited by Columbus in 1477. St. Nicholas is still at the heart of the city as Saturday market is held outside the gates.
Kirwan’s Lane – located in the center of the area originally within the city walls is a medieval era lane contains relics of the 16 th and 17 th century. It is named after one of Galway’s fourteen tribes, the families who ruled the town for several centuries.
The Spanish Arch – the Spanish arch stands on the left bank of the Corrib and the arch is reminder of a 16 th century bastion, added to the towns walls to protect merchant ships from looting. The present title dates back from the last century, which is reference to the former merchant trade with Spain.
Medieval Walls – the 13 th century fortification of Galway and by 1650 it enclosed an area from the Spanish Arch to the bottom of Eyre Square, from the square to the top of Eglinton Street to O’Brien’s Bridge and back along the east bank of the River Corrib.
