What Are the Best Ways to Discover Culture and History in Galway?

A trip to Galway is an opportunity to discover the culture and heritage nestled in this part of Ireland.

There are many varied ways to explore the city and the following are some of the approaches you might want to take into account.

Landmarks and Historic Buildings

The rich history of this city can be seen all around us, but the key is in knowing where to look for it. Head to the Hall of the Red Earl on Druid Lane to get a glimpse of mediaeval Galway. Built in the 13th century as the first municipal building for the collecting of taxes and other tasks, it fell into ruin and the remnants were only re-discovered at the end of the 20th century. Other buildings here with long and intriguing histories include the 16th century Lynch’s Castle and St Nicholas’ Collegiate Church, which was built in the 1320s and is Ireland’s biggest mediaeval church still being used regularly. Some of the famous statues located here include the bronze model of Oscar Wilde & Eduard Vilde in the centre of the city. Next to the Spanish Arch, you’ll find a monument celebrating Christopher Columbus’ 15th-century visit to these shores. With so much to see, some tourists decide to join a Galway walking tour. The likes of the Galway Food Tour and the Discover Galway City Walking tour provide alternatives, with an expert local guide, to meet different tastes and interests. 

Art and Other Things to Do

Galway is famed for its arts scene and you’ll find lots to keep you interested. There are several events held during the year, including the TULCA Festival of Visual Arts. The city also has a strong literary tradition that you can explore at places like the James Hardiman Library. Like many parts of Ireland, much of Galway’s culture can now be found online as well as offline. A good example comes with the city’s land-based casinos such as Claude’s. These sites remain popular while it’s also possible to play a selection of virtual tables in an online casino. This is a way of experiencing table games like roulette and blackjack or checking out the slot machines. The fact that any device can be used to place bets online makes this a convenient approach.

Museums to Explore

In terms of museums, there’s a wide collection here, such as the impressive Galway City Museum. This site has many objects relating to the history of the region, including a mediaeval stone collection and many military artefacts. Other museums worth visiting include those specialising in geology and computing. More intriguing for some visitors is the Nora Barnacle House Museum. Renowned as the smallest museum in the country, it’s the childhood home of the woman who would go on to become the wife and muse of author James Joyce. By taking a moment to consider which of these approaches best suits your personality, you can discover the sides to Galway that make you want to keep coming back for more.

Published: 15/07/2024 by Radio NewsHub