Galway, Ireland: Fun Activities & Places You Can’t Miss

The MV Plassy was a cargo vessel in the Irish Merchant Service that operated in the 1950s. Built as a Shakespearian-class naval trawler of the Royal Navy known as HMS Juliet at the beginning of the Second World War, Plassey was sold into merchant service at the end of the war. The steam trawler lost its battle against a massive storm in the 1960s and was wrecked on the beach in remote Inis Oirr. The rusted remains of the wreck are still on the beach today and have become an exploratory landmark and popular tourist attraction.

Inisheer, Ireland

Situated in County Galway, Connemara National Park is a sprawling national park spanning almost 3,000 hectares of rolling grasslands, dense woodlands, rugged mountains, and marshy bogs. The park features several massive mountains that are part of the famous Beanna Beola (Twelve Bens) range, as well as charming little villages and towns. The park boasts a variety of scenic routes and nature trails that begin at the Visitor Center and offer spectacular views of the region and offers excellent bird and wildlife watching. The Visitor Center features exciting exhibitions, a multi-lingual audio-visual show, and a seasonal café and provides a summer program of educational workshops for all ages.

Letterfrack, County Galway, Ireland, Phone: +35-37-61-00-25-28

The Fisheries Watchtower Museum is a historic Victorian tower and ‘draft netting station.’ Built in 1853 in a neo-Romanesque style, the tower is set on the banks of the Corrib in Galway city and was constructed to watch over fish stocks and stop any illegal fishing on the river. Today, the tower houses a museum that documents the history of boating and salmon fishing in the area with exhibits of historical photographs, fishing equipment, and tanks holding young salmon and elvers (eels).

Wolfe Tone Bridge, Galway, County Galway, Ireland, +35-391-56-49-46

The Sky Road in Clifden is a panoramic scenic drive along the rugged coastline of Connemara that offers breathtaking views of the offshore islands of Inishturk and Turbot and the Atlantic Ocean. The circular route is seven miles long, with the highest point near the town of Clifden, which is a vibrant town with shops, pubs, restaurants, and cafés. A viewing platform outside of town offers spectacular views over the city and ocean beyond.

Sky Road, Clifden, County Galway, Ireland

Kinvara is a charming fishing village and port nestled at the head of Kinvara Bay and the gateway to the Burren in County Clare. Once a thriving port in the 19th century and a hub for trading turf fuel, Kinvara was guarded by Dunguaire Castle, an enchanting and picture-perfect castle at the end of the bay that was the residence of the High King of Connaught. Today, the village is home to quaint little shops, cafés, and pubs, including the emerald-coated Green’s Bar that was built in 1865 and features hundreds of bottles of whiskey living the walls. Every summer, the town hosts the Cruinniu na mBad festival with boat races, medieval banquets, and other nautical-related events.

Kinvara, County Galway, Ireland

Cong is a small lakeside village situated on the narrow isthmus between Loughs Corrib and Mask on the border of Galway and Mayo counties and the gateway to northern Connemara. Once a strategic outpost for trade and commerce, the little village is now inhabited by less than 200 residents and is home to an old abbey, a traditional Irish pub, and the luxurious Ashford Castle Estate. The village and its surroundings can be explored on several hiking routes that pass interesting sites and attractions such as Lough Mask, Lough Corrib, and the ruins of the Augustinian abbey, home of the last High King of Ireland.

Cong, County Mayo, Ireland

The Salthill Promenade is a 1.2-mile walkway running along the northern inner shore of Galway Bay that offers beautiful views of the Aran Islands and the Atlantic Ocean. A favorite with locals and tourists alike, the promenade attracts walkers, joggers, cyclists, and leisure-seekers wanting to enjoy the fresh sea air and soak up the lovely views. Tradition calls for people on the promenade to kick the wall opposite the diving boards at the end of the boardwalk before turning around. The promenade is lined with plenty of cafés, restaurants, and bars for wining and dining, as well as other forms of entertainment such as the Galway Atlantaquaria, a wind-battered diving platform, penny slot machines and some of the best ice cream parlors in the county.

Salthill, County Galway, Ireland

The Legend of the Claddagh Ring Museum is dedicated to the history of the Claddagh Ring, which was made in Galway. Named after an old fishing area in the county, the ring consists of two crowns and a heart and were once worn to indicate marriage, but today are a token of friendship. The iconic symbols of love, loyalty, and friendship are worn by Irish and Irish descendants all over the world and are an ideal Galway souvenir. The museum explores the history of Claddagh and Galway, the lore of the famous ring, and how it became symbolic of Irish Heritage. A gift shop at the museum sells books, souvenirs, and authentic rings, which are handcrafted at the in-house thatched cottage and workshop.

1 Quay Street, Galway, County Galway, H91 CP22, Ireland, Phone: +35-391-56-63-65

Kylemore Abbey is a magnificent Benedictine monastery constructed in the Victorian Gothic style and overlooking a tranquil lake. Built in 1863 as a residence for a wealthy English politician and known initially as the Kylemore Castle, the castle was converted into an abbey in 1920 for Benedictine Nuns, who fled Belgium in the First World War. Kylemore Abbey boasts a superb picturesque lakeside setting surrounded by beautifully manicured gardens and dense woodlands. The abbey includes a magnificent neo-gothic church, where the nuns lead a monastic life of dedication to prayer and work. Another feature of the monastery is the Victorian Walled Garden through which a stream runs, separating a Flower Garden and Kitchen Garden. The Visitor’s Center has several exhibits, a restaurant serving traditional Irish dishes, and a craft shop.

Kylemore Abbey Pollacappul, Connemara, County Galway, Ireland, Phone: +35-39-54-11-46

Dún Aonghasa is a 3,100year-old Iron Age fort set on the edge of a seaside cliff overlooking the North Atlantic Ocean. Offering a glimpse into an ancient, mystical world, the fort is thought to have been built around 1100 BCE, with additions being added over centuries, including the layers of thick stone walls it features today. Today, the fort boasts a D-shape formation with concentric walls of defenses, and a field of steep rocks built as a systematic deterrent known as a “cheval de fries.” Nearby is an unrelated Neolithic tomb, a thatched cottage, and a reconstructed poteen distillery that highlights the ancient cultural heritage of the first inhabitants of the area.

Kilmurvy, County Galway, H91 YT20, Ireland, Phone: +35-39-96-10-08