Galway Landmarks and Monuments

(Galway, County Galway, Republic of Ireland)

Galway's monuments and landmarks tend to be either areas of natural beauty or places with connections to Ireland's strong cultural and political history in theatre, poetry and writing.

Few ancient buildings and conventional heritage landmarks have survived the centuries, both in the city of Galway and its immediate environs, either because of civil strife or the redevelopment mania of the second half of the last century. However, those searching for such need only take drives across the lovely Irish countryside to find areas where they are plentiful.

Galway Bay

Address: County Galway, Republic of Ireland, IE
Perhaps the best-known landmark in Galway County is spectacular Galway Bay itself, home to the city and many charming small towns and fishing villages. Driving the coastal road and overlooking the wild Atlantic, from the city to Spidall and on to the Connemara mountains, really is an unforgettable experience, particularly at sundown. The bay lies between County Clare (the Burren area) and County Galway and is quite enormous, measuring some 50 km / 30 miles in length and between 10 to 30 km / 6 to 19 miles in width.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Kirwan's Lane

Address: Kirwan's Lane, Galway, Republic of Ireland, IE
Linked with the 18th-century republican patriot Wolfe Tone, who acted at a now demolished Georgian theatre in Kirwan's Lane, this tiny thoroughfare is one of the few remaining monuments to Galway's late medieval past and is now a residential area.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Coole Park

Address: Gort, Galway Road, Galway, Republic of Ireland, IE
Tel: +353 091 631 804
Although the house is no longer standing, this park and nature reserve (a short drive from Galway city) can be considered to be a monument both to the political and cultural history of Ireland. The former home of the founder of the famous Abbey Theatre, Lady Gregory, the house frequently hosted visits from William Butler Yeats, George Bernard Shaw, John Masefield, Sean O'Casey and other theatrical giants. The grounds of Coole Park really are nothing short of spectacular.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge

Athenry

Address: Athenry, County Galway, Republic of Ireland, IE
A short drive from Galway's city center is the medieval town of Athenry, with its still-intact original curtain walls, turrets and moat clearly visible as a landmark. The town was founded in 1284 and is the only place in Ireland where this unique system of medieval fortifications has survived intact. Especially impressive is Athenry Castle, which is the oldest remaining building in the town. The imposing remains of the Athenry Dominican Priory are also very notable.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Thoor Ballylee (Yeat's Tower)

Address: Gort, Galway Road, Galway, Republic of Ireland, IE
This Norman tower house, visible across the countryside and once owned by acclaimed Irish poet William Butler Yeats (1865 to 1939) as a summer residence, was opened for public viewing in 1965. Thoor Ballylee dates back to the 16th century and has a total of four floors, each of which contains just one room. The cottage next-door now functions as both a gift shop and tea room.
Open hours: Easter to October, daily - 10:00 to 18:00
Admission: charge

Aran Islands

Address: Galway Bay, Galway, Republic of Ireland, IE
The three Aran Islands, set across the mouth of Galway Bay, are the remnants of the ancient coastline before the bay itself was created by erosion of the southern shores of a massive lake. Peaceful and beautiful, the islands' main attraction is the landmark defensive fortress on Inishmore Island. Passenger ferries connect the Aran Islands and operate throughout the year, departing from the harbour.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free