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Galway
(population 57,363) is a fast-growing, thriving city with a
renowned arts scene. It is also the gateway to Connemara and
the Aran Islands.
Galway
has several theatres, and there is lots of music in the pubs
at night.
In
addition, Salthill, a busy seaside resort town, is just 2 kilometres
away.
There
is a good selection of accommodation to choose from in the city,
and there is more in Salthill.
There is plenty to buy in the line of Irish arts, crafts, and
design. There is The Design Concourse Ireland on Kirwan's Lane,
The Galway Irish Crystal Heritage Centre at Merlin Park, and
the city's many jewellery shops, selling the famous Claddagh
rings.
Attractions
The busiest weekend in Galway is the Galway Racing Festival,
which runs from July 30th to August 5th. There is also an autumn
racing festival in September and a meeting at the end of October.
The two-week-long Galway Arts Festival, which is held in late
July-early August, features theatre, music, and art.
Galway's most important monument is the Collegiate Church of
Saint Nicholas of Myra on Shop Street. It dates from 1320 and
is the largest medieval parish church still in use in Ireland.
No. 8 Bowling Green was once the home of Nora Barnacle, wife
of James Joyce. The house contains a small museum dedicated
to the couple. Open mid-May to mid-September, Monday to Saturday.
Lynch's Castle is an old stone house on Shop Street, parts of
which date back to the 14th century.
The Spanish Arch (1584) is an extension of the city walls near
the river.
The Galway City Museum, near the Spanish Arch, opens Monday
to Saturday.
From April to September/October, the Corrib Princess (091-592447)
cruises twice daily up the River Corrib and into Lough Corrib.
It departs at 2.30 and 4.30 pm from Eglinton Pier.
Bus Éireann, O'Neachtain Tours, and Lally Coaches run
bus tours of Connemara and the Burren.
Cúirt
International Festival of Literature runs from the 23rd to the
29th of April.
Amenities
The
city has a university and an institute of technology.
There are three golf clubs nearby.
There is a pitch and putt club in Taylors Hill.
There is greyhound racing at the track on College Road on Tuesday
and Friday nights at 8:15 pm.
Indoor go-karting on Tuam Road a couple of kilometres out from
the centre.
Ten-pin bowling in Leisure World on Headford Road.
Leisureland in Salthill has an indoor swimming pool with slide.
Transport
Galway's
airport is in Carnmore, 10 kilometres east of the city. There
are two flights to Dublin each day.
Local buses pick up and drop off at Eyre Square.
Nestor Travel (091-797144) runs between four and seven buses
a day to Tara Street Station in Dublin via Dublin Airport.
Bus Éireann runs just one bus to Dublin year-round and
three in July and August.
There are five trains to and from Dublin Heuston each day.
There is a ferry leaving Galway docks for the Aran Islands on
Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 8 am. Contact O'Brien Shipping
at (091) 567676.
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