Galway History Walking tour with a Local Guide

4.6 (28 reviews) 1 h 55 min Free cancellation

out of 5

28 reviews

4.6

Galway History Walking tour with a Local Guide — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

The Galway Cathedral is Europe's newest stone cathedral completed as recently as 1965. — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

As one of Ireland's oldest cities, Galway is rich in history and stories. The theme of this shared walking tour is the History, Heritage and Culture of the city, from its Anglo-Norman past to the present-day progressive city.

This small group tour is presented by an Irish Tourism professional. Its an in-person tour and an ideal way to see and learn about the 'City of the Tribes' , first-hand.

The full itinerary will allow you explore landmarks, such as the Galway Cathedral, Courthouse Square, Lynch's Castle, St. Nicholas' Church, the Latin Quarter, the Spanish Parade and the Hall of the Red Earl archaeology site.

Tours are particularly suited to travelers who like an enjoyable mix of History and legend !

Very popular Tour - hundreds of satisfied guests and many 5-star reviews!

Private and Luxury Historical Tours Walking Tours Culture Small Group Excellent Quality Short term availability Weather Dependent - Moderate

At a glance

Duration: 1 h 55 min
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 12 people
People per booking: 1–13
Guide: English
Operated by: Western Tours and Tales

What is included

Included

Included: Small guest groups.
Included: Guided by professional Irish Tour Guide
Included: Easily adapted Walking tour to suit guest wishes.
Included: A Voucher towards Admission to St Nicholas Church (for 10am Tours only!)

Not included

Not included: Tea and coffee: Meals or gratuities
Not included: Alcoholic Beverages
Not included: Private transportation: Transportation to and from the meeting point .
Not included: Accomodation
Not included: Excess Baggage: Personal Expenses

Itinerary

Stop 1

7 min

Our accredited Guide will meet you at the FRONT entrance to the Hardiman Hotel in Eyre Square. Guide will accompany you to the main Square and give a brief overview of Galway's rich history.
Stop 2

7 min

Our accredited guide will accompany you to various Points of Interest and Iconic Buildings around the Square. .

The first stop on the route is the John F Kennedy Memorial

We visit historical sites including the old Browne Doorway and the Quin-centenary Fountain and talk about the 14-Tribes banners
Stop 3

6 min

We now emerge onto Williams-gate St. and encounter some landmark buildings including the elegant Browne Thomas building. We also pass by Jewellers shops who specialise in Galway's Claddagh ring. if time allows we stop at the Oscar Wilde statue, an Estonia gift to Ireland in 2004 !
Franciscan Church

Passing by

We now divert down Eglinton Street and pass by the Franciscan Friary church on the left. This old church has a little grave-yard at the rear which was a prominent place of burial in mid-17th and early 18th centuries.
Galway Courthouse

5 min

We continue towards Courthouse Square, which used to have two iconic Courthouses - one for the county and one for the city. One remains today and the Town Hall Theatre is opposite.
Galway Cathedral

8 min

Up ahead, from the newly-constructed pedestrian bridge over the River Corrib, our group will pause to view Europe's newest stone cathedral, the Galway Cathedral and the Franciscan Chapel.
Stop 7

Passing by

Our tour route passes close to Bowling Green. Here was the family home of Ms Nora Barnacle who was a prominent Galwegian in years gone by. She famously dated Irish Writer, James Joyce on 16th June 1904, thereafter known as Bloomsday!
Lynch's Castle

15 min

The tour returns via Galway's popular River Walk to the main city artery. We arrive at a two-street intersection and the iconic Lynch's Castle building. This building is the finest surviving Town-Castle in Ireland. The powerful Lynch clan once owned it. Your Guide explains the history of the building, its crests and roundels.
Stop 9

10 min

The tour continues by turning right into Church Lane, once called 'Dead Man's Lane' where funerals passed on way into old graveyard. We talk about St. Nicholas church-yard and continue on through Market St.
Saint Nicholas' Collegiate Church

8 min Admission included

We arrive at the of St Nicholas' Collegiate Church accompanied by your Guide. He explains the history of this largest Medieval church in continuous use in Ireland. It was originally built as a Catholic Church but, today, functions as a Protestant Church.

In 1477, Christopher Columbus is said to have worshipped here prior to his epic voyage of discovery!

There's also much to see within this ancient building and we offer discounts tickets to join their guided tours which operate Mon-Fri. 11am and 2pm and Wednesdays 12pm and 3pm.
The Lynch Memorial

8 min

The Lynch Memorial window , erected in 1854 is full of legend. The mayor of Galway, Mayor Lynch is said to have hanged his own son at this location!
Galway's Latin Quarter

12 min

We arrive in High Street, a section of Galway's Latin Quarter and encounter the iconic King's Head Pub. Legend has it that this pub site was gifted by Oliver Cromwell as payment to executioner of King Charles I.

Also on this street we pass by the famous Naughton House, once owned by 'Humanity' Dick Martyn, an Irish MP in British Parliament.
Druid Theatre

5 min

University graduates founded the now-famous Druid Theatre Company in 1975 in this city of culture. Druid has always maintained a vital relationship with writers, Tom Murphy and Martin McDonough. Many well-known Irish actors and directors have worked with the company down through the years.
The Spanish Arch

7 min

The famous Spanish Arch is adjacent to open-space area, known as the Spanish Parade . This area once included the old Galway port until 1840. Old Galley ships arrived here from Spain with wines and spices for local merchant families. We also explain the significance of the Spanish Arch.
Hall of the Red Earl

7 min

The tour now loops back towards the old Medieval site - The Hall of the Red Earl. This was once the castle residence of powerful Norman, Richard de Burgo. It was an important building up until the late 16th century. Its ruins had been lost for centuries till archaeologists discovered it in the late '90's.
Stop 16

Passing by

The guide will explain that the Augustinian Order arrived in Galway in 1500 and setup an Abbey in the Forthil. Oliver Cromwell's English army banished them for a period but they returned in 1760 and established this building.
An Taibhdhearc

3 min

The final stages of our City tour take us up Middle Street, where we pass by An Taibhdhearc. This is Ireland's only Irish-language theatre. It was established as a large-scale cultural project in the early 1920, when Ireland became a Free State. Micheal MacLiamor, the first director / manager worked there from 1928.
Gothic and Tudor Revival-style former cathedral - Abbeygate Street Lower

5 min

Our final stop will be the former Cathedral Building at Middle St. / Abbeygate St. Galway. This old building was in use for many centuries but was deemed inadequate by Galway bishop, Dr Michael Browne in 1957.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Go to the FRONT ENTRANCE of the Hardiman Hotel, 14/15 EYRE Square, Galway and meet Tour Guide with High-Vis jacket and official ID Badge there.

End point

Go to the FRONT ENTRANCE of the Hardiman Hotel, 14/15 EYRE Square, Galway and meet Tour Guide with High-Vis jacket and official ID Badge there.

Using your ticket

Please note you need to bring your Mobile or printed Ticket along with you so we can confirm booking.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.

Good to know

Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled by the Supplier due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
NOTE: A shortened version of this City tour can be offered to guests with mobility issues. Our small team have plans in place to deal with emergencies.