Charlie Byrne's Bookshop

Top choice in Galway City


A civic treasure, the rambling rooms at Charlie Byrne's are crammed with over 100,000 new, secondhand, thirdhand, discounted and out-of-print books, including a trove of Irish interest (and Irish language) fiction and nonfiction. Look out for events including book launches and storytelling sessions.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Galway City attractions

1. Hall of the Red Earl

0.04 MILES

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…

2. Galway Market

0.09 MILES

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…

4. Lynch Memorial Window

0.11 MILES

James Lynch Fitzstephen was the mayor and magistrate of Galway in 1493. So the story goes, when his son was condemned for the murder of a romantic rival…

5. Lynch's Castle

0.12 MILES

Now an AIB Bank, this excellent example of a town castle was built around 1500 (the exact date is unknown). The facade's stonework includes ghoulish…

6. Galway City Museum

0.13 MILES

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

7. Spanish Arch

0.13 MILES

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…

8. Oscar Wilde & Eduard Vilde Statue

0.15 MILES

An earnest conversation takes place between Irish writer Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) and Estonian writer Eduard Vilde (1856–1933), sitting on a granite bench,…