Guidebook for Galway
Food Scene
Michelin star restaurant. Expensive, but worth it.
36 locals recommend
Aniar Restaurant & Boutique Cookery School
53 Dominick St LowerMichelin star restaurant. Expensive, but worth it.
Loam Restaurant
Fairgreen RoadMichelin star restaurant, easy walk from the apartment.
Park House Hotel
18 Eyre SquareGreat traditional food, steaks etc. 4 star hotel, good service.
Mexican / Spanish mix. 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 mix. Has been there a long time, in an area where restaurants come and go. That says a lot in itself.
Drinks & Nightlife
Live music every night, good staff, good food. I play there on Mondays myself :)
23 locals recommend
Buskers Brownes
5 Cross Street UpperLive music every night, good staff, good food. I play there on Mondays myself :)
Genuine old Irish bar, not a reproduction. Worth seeing and great Guinness. It's pronounced "Knock-tens" and still has a few "snugs" which are old-fashioned small private areas that seat 4-6 people and used to be a feature of every Irish pub. Tigh means house, and Neachtain is an Irish language surname. Pronounced "Chee Knock-ten" or just Knock-tens.
131 locals recommend
Tigh Neachtain
17 Cross Street UpperGenuine old Irish bar, not a reproduction. Worth seeing and great Guinness. It's pronounced "Knock-tens" and still has a few "snugs" which are old-fashioned small private areas that seat 4-6 people and used to be a feature of every Irish pub. Tigh means house, and Neachtain is an Irish language surname. Pronounced "Chee Knock-ten" or just 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 locals recommend
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.
38 locals recommend
Blackrock Beach
Salthill Road LowerVery 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.
Sightseeing
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.
13 locals recommend
Claddagh Quay
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.
Built in the early 1300s and still in use today as an Anglican/Episcopal church. It 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 locals recommend
St. Nicholas' Collegiate Church
Lombard StreetBuilt in the early 1300s and still in use today as an Anglican/Episcopal church. It 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.
Shopping
Shopping mall in walking distance. There's a pedestrian entrance from the Merchants Road side, through the car park. Less than 3 mins walk from the apartment. Groceries, pharmacy, dry cleaner, Burger King, the usual stuff.
24 locals recommend
Eyre Square Centre
Eyre SquareShopping mall in walking distance. There's a pedestrian entrance from the Merchants Road side, through the car park. Less than 3 mins walk from the apartment. Groceries, pharmacy, dry cleaner, Burger King, the usual stuff.
Great local potter, and friend of mine. Tell her Joe from the diving club sent you :)
20 locals recommend
Judy Greene Pottery
Kirwan's LaneGreat local potter, and friend of mine. Tell her Joe from the diving club sent you :)
Getting Around
The main hub for buses & trains in Galway. Also bike rental, car rental, taxis etc. 5 mins walk from the apartment.
49 locals recommend
Eyre Square
Eyre SquareThe main hub for buses & trains in Galway. Also bike rental, car rental, taxis etc. 5 mins walk from the apartment.
Arts & Culture
Mostly local history of Galway and of Ireland in general. Nice restaurant.
141 locals recommend
Galway City Museum
Spanish ParadeMostly local history of Galway and of Ireland in general. Nice restaurant.