Food Scene
Small, friendly Italian just up the road, 2 mins walk. A regular haunt of mine & run by actual Italians, so I don't think I need to say any more...
8 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Italian Restaurant Galway - VENICE
11 Abbeygate Street LowerSmall, friendly Italian just up the road, 2 mins walk. A regular haunt of mine & run by actual Italians, so I don't think I need to say any more...
French-style, intimate bistro right in the centre of things in the old city. Run by a friend of mine - ask for Rebecca and tell her Joe from the diving club sent you :) Highly recommended.
The Latin Quarter Wine Bar & Bistro
1 High StFrench-style, intimate bistro right in the centre of things in the old city. Run by a friend of mine - ask for Rebecca and tell her Joe from the diving club sent you :) Highly recommended.
Mexican & Spanish. Has been there a long time, in an area where restaurants come and go. That says a lot in itself.
Cactus Jacks
Quay StreetMexican & Spanish. Has been there a long time, in an area where restaurants come and go. That says a lot in itself.
Great traditional food, steaks etc. 4 star hotel, good service.
17 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Park House Hotel
18 Eyre SquareGreat traditional food, steaks etc. 4 star hotel, good service.
Lonely Planet says "A trip to Galway isn't complete without a meal here". No frills fish & chip place, but fish straight from the local docks, so menu varies depending on what was caught today, but always as fresh as possible. Eat-in or takeaway.
77 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
McDonagh's
22 Quay StLonely Planet says "A trip to Galway isn't complete without a meal here". No frills fish & chip place, but fish straight from the local docks, so menu varies depending on what was caught today, but always as fresh as possible. Eat-in or takeaway.
Kettle of Fish
In my opinion the best fish & chips in Galway, though McDonagh's is more famous.
Galways's only Michelin star restaurant. Expensive, but worth it.
36 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Aniar Restaurant & Boutique Cookery School
53 Dominick St LowerGalways's only Michelin star restaurant. Expensive, but worth it.
Sightseeing
Originally built in the 14th century, most of the current building dates from about 1600.
17 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Lynch's Castle
40 Shop StOriginally built in the 14th century, most of the current building dates from about 1600.
Built in the early 1300s and still in use today as an Anglican/Episcopal church. Also holds the regimental flags and other regalia of the Connaught Rangers, a former Irish regiment of the British Army which was disbanded after independence in the early 20th century.
43 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
St. Nicholas' Collegiate Church
Lombard StreetBuilt in the early 1300s and still in use today as an Anglican/Episcopal church. Also holds the regimental flags and other regalia of the Connaught Rangers, a former Irish regiment of the British Army which was disbanded after independence in the early 20th century.
If you've heard of Claddagh rings, well this is where they originated. I was born here and baptised in this church. One of the oldest parts of the city, but the distinctive thatched cottages were all demolished in the 1950's. A boat building tradition continues though and you will often see traditional wooden fishing boats called the Galway Hooker with their distinctive triangular sails. In winter most of them are hauled out and stored on the quayside.
Saint Mary's Church
Claddagh QuayIf you've heard of Claddagh rings, well this is where they originated. I was born here and baptised in this church. One of the oldest parts of the city, but the distinctive thatched cottages were all demolished in the 1950's. A boat building tradition continues though and you will often see traditional wooden fishing boats called the Galway Hooker with their distinctive triangular sails. In winter most of them are hauled out and stored on the quayside.
Essentials
Shopping mall nearby. There's a pedestrian entrance from the Merchants Road side, through the car park. Less than 2 mins walk from the apartment. Groceries, pharmacy, dry cleaner, Burger King, all the usual stuff.
24 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Eyre Square Centre
Eyre SquareShopping mall nearby. There's a pedestrian entrance from the Merchants Road side, through the car park. Less than 2 mins walk from the apartment. Groceries, pharmacy, dry cleaner, Burger King, all the usual stuff.
Drinks & Nightlife
I play there every Monday night, good staff, good food.
23 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Buskers Brownes
5 Cross Street UpperI play there every Monday night, good staff, good food.
Genuinely old Irish bar, not a reproduction. Worth seeing and great Guinness. It still has a few "snugs" which are small private areas that seat 4-6 people and used to be a feature of every Irish pub. Tigh means house, and Neachtain is a surname. Pronounced "Chee Knock-ten" but usually just called "Knock-tens"
131 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Tigh Neachtain
17 Cross Street UpperGenuinely old Irish bar, not a reproduction. Worth seeing and great Guinness. It still has a few "snugs" which are small private areas that seat 4-6 people and used to be a feature of every Irish pub. Tigh means house, and Neachtain is a surname. Pronounced "Chee Knock-ten" but usually just called "Knock-tens"
Irish traditional music bar run by a family of trad musicians, the O'Flahertys. Tig means house and Cóilí is a person's first name. Pronounced "Chee Coal-ee
92 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Tig Coili
Mainguard StreetIrish traditional music bar run by a family of trad musicians, the O'Flahertys. Tig means house and Cóilí is a person's first name. Pronounced "Chee Coal-ee
Parks & Nature
Very lively in summer during the day - the beach. Great views across to The Burren on the other side of Galway Bay and to the Aran Islands on a good day. Great place for a walk in the sea air at any time of year, there's a 2km promenade (called locally The Prom) right along the seafront.
112 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Salthill
Very lively in summer during the day - the beach. Great views across to The Burren on the other side of Galway Bay and to the Aran Islands on a good day. Great place for a walk in the sea air at any time of year, there's a 2km promenade (called locally The Prom) right along the seafront.
Arts & Culture
Druid Theatre Company
Flood StreetI-Galway City Museum
Spanish ParadeShopping
Judy Greene Pottery
Kirwan's LaneGreat local potter, and friend of mine.