Must-see attractions in County Galway

  • Stone wall at Dun Aonghasa Aran Islands

    Dún Aonghasa

    Aran Islands

    Dún Aonghasa is one of the largest prehistoric stone forts in Europe and stands guard over Inis Mór on the edge of a 100-metre sheer cliff drop.

  • Aughnanure Castle, Galway, Ireland

    Aughnanure Castle

    Connemara

    The 'Fighting O'Flahertys' were based at this superbly preserved 16th-century fortress 4km east of Oughterard. The clan controlled the region for hundreds…

  • Connemara National Park sunset

    Connemara National Park

    Connemara

    Immediately southeast of Letterfrack, Connemara National Park spans 2000 dramatic hectares of bog, mountains, heath and woodlands.

  • Galway, Ireland - June 17th 2005: Teenagers, some with backpacks, sitting on the bank of river Corrib, front the Galway City Museum.

    Galway City Museum

    Galway City

    Exhibits at this modern, three-floor museum engagingly convey the city's archaeological, political, cultural and social history. Look out for an iconic…

  • Kylemore Abbey

    Connemara

    Photogenically perched on the shores of Pollacapall Lough, 4km east of Letterfrack, Kylemore is a crenellated 19th-century neo-Gothic fantasy. It was…

  • panish Arch Next To The River

    Spanish Arch

    Galway City

    The Spanish Arch is thought to be an extension of Galway's medieval city walls, designed to protect ships moored at the nearby quay while they unloaded…

  • Patrick Pearse's Cottage

    Connemara

    Pádraig Pearse (Patrick Pearse; 1879–1916) wrote some of his short stories and plays on the shore of a remote lake in this small thatched cottage, which…

  • Dún Dúchathair

    Aran Islands

    Many locals pick this ruined ancient fort, dating from the Iron Age or early medieval period, as their favourite Inishmore historic sight. It's…

  • Thoor Ballylee

    County Galway

    In an idyllic setting by a stream, this 16th-century Norman tower was the summer home of WB Yeats from 1921 to 1929 and was the inspiration for one of his…

  • Pile of colorful fresh vegetables, red and white onions in Galway food market, Ireland.

    Galway Market

    Galway City

    Galway's bohemian spirit comes alive at its street market, which has set up in this spot for centuries. Saturdays are the standout for food, when farmers…

  • Eyre square in Galway Ireland

    Eyre Square

    Galway City

    Galway's central public square is busy in all but the harshest weather. A welcoming open green space with sculptures and pathways, its lawns are formally…

  • Sky's the Limit

    Galway Cathedral

    Galway City

    Rising over the River Corrib, imposing Galway Cathedral is one of the city's finest buildings. Highlights include a beautifully decorated dome, attractive…

  • Atlantaquaria

    Galway City

    More than 150 freshwater and sea-dwelling creatures from local waters swim in Ireland's largest native-species aquarium, including seahorses, sharks and…

  • The Fisheries Watchtower on the River Corrib, Galway City, Ireland.

    Fishery Watchtower

    Galway City

    Constructed in the 1850s, this butter-coloured Victorian tower was used to monitor fish stock levels (and poachers). Now restored, the unique trilevel…

  • Sea at Salthill

    Salthill Promenade

    Galway City

    A favourite pastime for Galwegians and visitors alike is walking along the Salthill Prom, the 2km-long seaside promenade running from the edge of the city…

  • Inchagoill

    Connemara

    The largest island on Lough Corrib, Inchagoill lies about 5km offshore from the lake's edge, some 8km north of Oughterard. The island is a lonely place…

  • Hall of the Red Earl

    Galway City

    In the 13th century, when the de Burgo family ruled Galway, Richard – the Red Earl – erected a large hall as a seat of power, where locals would arrive to…

  • Brigit's Garden

    Connemara

    Covering 4.5 hectares of woodland and meadowland, and with traditional architecture including a reed-thatched crannóg roundhouse, tranquil Brigit's Garden…

  • Synge's Chair

    Aran Islands

    At the desolate western end of the island, Synge's Chair is a viewpoint at the edge of a sheer limestone cliff with the surf from Gregory's Sound booming…

  • Wormhole

    Aran Islands

    Access to this extraordinary rectangular natural tidal pool is via a 750m clifftop walk southeast from Dun Aengus, or via a 1km signposted walking path…

  • Teampall Chiaráin

    Aran Islands

    The highlight of this small church is on the eastern side – a beautifully carved boundary cross with a circular hole at the top. It was possibly used as a…

  • Glengowla Mines

    Connemara

    These 19th-century mines 3km west of Oughterard yielded silver, lead and glistening quartz. As well as marvelling at some of the treasures unearthed,…

  • Quiet Man Bridge

    Connemara

    One of the most photogenic locations from the iconic 1952 John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara film, the eponymous Quiet Man bridge is some 7km west of…

  • Connemara Smokehouse

    Connemara

    At this family-run smokehouse, tours reveal hand filleting and traditional preparation, slicing and packing of wild and organic salmon, and various…

  • Battle of Aughrim Visitor Centre

    County Galway

    One of the bloodiest battles ever fought on Irish soil, which left 7000 people dead, took place at Aughrim, 64km east of Galway city. It ended in a…

  • Portumna Castle & Gardens

    County Galway

    Built in the early 1600s by Richard de Burgo, Portumna Castle's elaborate gardens include a geometric formal garden, a rose garden and a walled kitchen…

  • Kilmacduagh

    County Galway

    The extensive ruins at the monastic site of Kilmacduagh, 6km southwest of Gort, include a well-preserved 34m-high round tower, the remains of a small 14th…

  • Arts & Heritage Centre

    County Galway

    Athenry's rich history is delivered with colourful flourishes here – the gruesome details of medieval life include a ghoulish array of torture implements…

  • Kiltartan Gregory Museum

    County Galway

    A charming stone schoolhouse built in 1892 now contains this museum, which traces the life of WB Yeats' literary patron, Lady Augusta Gregory, through…

  • Na Seacht dTeampaill

    Aran Islands

    The scattered early Christian ruins known as the Na Seacht dTeampaill (Seven Churches) actually comprise just two ruined churches. The biggest is the 13m…

  • Teampall Bheanáin

    Aran Islands

    Tiny Teampall Bheanáin dates from the 11th century. Measuring just 3m by 3m, it's thought to have been a hermitage. Unusually for a religious structure,…

  • Inishbofin Heritage Museum

    Connemara

    Inishbofin's small but evocative museum gives a comprehensive overview of the island's history. Displays include fishing, farming and tradespeople's tools…

  • Aran Goat Cheese

    Aran Islands

    You've encountered the produce on countless west Ireland menus; now meet the goats that make it all possible. Call ahead to join a tour of this tiny dairy…

  • Dartfield Equestrian Centre

    County Galway

    Horse breeding, carriages, the colourful racing industry and the horse’s role in Irish history are covered at Dartfield, which is set in extensive…

  • Turoe Stone

    County Galway

    The pillar-like Turoe Stone is covered in delicate relief carvings in La Tène style (a Roman-influenced Celtic art form dating from the Iron Age)…

  • St Enda's Monastery

    Aran Islands

    The sunken remains of the church here are said to have been the site of St Enda's Monastery in the 6th century, though what's visible dates from the 9th…

  • Sheep & Wool Centre

    Connemara

    On Leenane's main street, just north of the bridge, sits a compelling little museum dedicated to sheep and wool. It has spinning and weaving…

  • Roundstone Musical Instruments

    Connemara

    At the village's southern edge, you can watch Malachy Kearns, Ireland's only full-time maker of traditional bodhráns, handcrafting goat-skin drums in his…

  • Aasleagh Falls

    Connemara

    The tumbling waters of these low, wide waterfalls are framed by a series of rapids and pools, where you're likely to see salmon fishers trying their luck…

  • Dún Chonchúir

    Aran Islands

    Glorious views of Inishmaan's limestone valleys and maze of stone walls extend from this ruined elliptical stone fort, which sits on the island's highest…