Galway History Walking tour with Local expert - Private Group

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Recommended by 92% of reviewers

Badge of Excellence | Galway, Ireland

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1 hour 55 minutes (approx.)

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Overview

As one of Ireland's oldest cities, Galway is rich in history and stories. The theme of this private walking experience is the History, Heritage and Culture of the city, from its Anglo-Norman past to the present-day progressive city.

This Private guided tour is presented by an Irish Tourism professional. Its an in-person tour and an ideal way to see and learn about the 'City of the Tribes' , first-hand. Tours are particularly suited to travellers who like an enjoyable mix of History and legend !

The full itinerary will allow you explore landmarks, such as the Galway Cathedral, Courthouse Square, Lynch's Castle, St. Nicholas' Church, the Latin Quarter, the Spanish Parade and the Hall of the Red Earl archaeology site.
(NB: Discount tickets to St Nicholas' Church is confined to the morning Tours as the church closes at 4pm!)

What's Included

Easily adapted Walking tour to guest wishes.
Small Private Tourist groups.
A Voucher towards a visit to St Nicholas Church (for 10am and 1pm Tours only!)
A Professional tour Guide

Tea and coffee Meals or gratuities
Alcoholic beverages Alcoholic Beverages
Transportation to and from the meeting point .
Accomodation
Personal Expenses

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Meeting Location

Meeting point

Eyre Square
Galway, H91 NFD2, Ireland

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Eyre Square

Our accredited Guide will meet you at the FRONT entrance to the Hardiman Hotel in Eyre Square. He will accompany you to the main Square and give a brief overview of Galway's rich history. Various Points of Interest around the Square will be outlined including Iconic Buildings. Historical aspect will also be covered including the old Browne Doorway and the Tribes of Galway Banners, the John F Kennedy memorial, the Quin-centenary Fountain and the O'Connaire Statue.

13 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Williamsgate Street

We now emerge onto Williams-gate St. and encounter some landmark buildings including the elegant Browne Thomas building. We also pass by Jewellers shops who specialise in Galway's Claddagh ring. if time allows we stop at the Oscar Wilde statue, an Estonia gift to Ireland in 2004 !

6 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Franciscan Church (Pass By)

We now divert down Eglinton Street and pass by the Franciscan Friary church on the left. This old church has a little grave-yard at the rear which was a prominent place of burial in mid-17th and early 18th centuries.

Galway Courthouse

We continue towards Courthouse Square, which used to have two iconic Courthouses - one for the county and one for the city. One remains today and the Town Hall Theatre is opposite.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Galway Cathedral

Up ahead, from the newly-constructed pedestrian bridge over the River Corrib, our group will pause to view Europe's newest stone cathedral, the Galway Cathedral and the Franciscan Chapel.

8 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Lynch's Castle

The tour returns via Galway's popular River Walk to the main city artery. We arrive at a two-street intersection and the iconic Lynch's Castle building. This building is the finest surviving Town-Castle in Ireland. The powerful Lynch clan once owned it. Your Guide explains the history of the building, its crests and roundels.

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Market Street

The tour continues by turning right into Church Lane, once called 'Dead Man's Lane' where funerals passed on way into old graveyard. We talk about St. Nicholas church-yard and continue on through Market St.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

The Lynch Memorial

The Lynch Memorial window , erected in 1854 is full of legend. The mayor of Galway, Mayor Lynch is said to have hanged his own son at this location!

8 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Bowling Green (Pass By)

Our tour route passes close to Bowling Green. Here was the family home of Ms Nora Barnacle who was a prominent Galwegian in years gone by. She famously dated Irish Writer, James Joyce on 16th June 1904, thereafter known as Bloomsday!

Saint Nicholas' Collegiate Church

We arrive at the of St Nicholas' Collegiate Church accompanied by your Guide. He explains the history of this largest Medieval church in continuous use in Ireland. It was originally built as a Catholic Church but, today, functions as a Protestant Church. In 1477, Christopher Columbus is said to have worshipped here prior to his epic voyage of discovery! There's also much to see within this ancient building and we offer discounts tickets to join their guided tours which operate Mon-Fri. 11am and 2pm and Wednesdays 12pm and 3pm.

8 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Galway's Latin Quarter

We arrive in High Street, a section of Galway's Latin Quarter and encounter the iconic King's Head Pub. Legend has it that this pub site was gifted by Oliver Cromwell as payment to executioner of King Charles I. Also on this street we pass by the famous Naughton House, once owned by 'Humanity' Dick Martyn, an Irish MP in British Parliament.

12 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Spanish Parade

The open-space area, known as the Spanish Parade formally contained the old Galway port until 1840. Old Galley ships arrived here from Spain with wines and spices for local merchant families. We also explain the significance of the Spanish Arch just adjacent to this area.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Hall of the Red Earl

The tour now loops back towards the old Medieval site - The Hall of the Red Earl. This was once the castle residence of powerful Norman, Richard de Burgo. It was an important building up until the late 16th century. Its ruins had been lost for centuries till archaeologists discovered it in the late '90's.

7 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Druid Theatre

University graduates founded the now-famous Druid Theatre Company in 1975 in this city of culture. Druid has always maintained a vital relationship with writers, Tom Murphy and Martin McDonough. Many well-known Irish actors and directors have worked with the company down through the years.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

An Taibhdhearc

The final stages of our City tour take us up Middle Street, where we pass by An Taibhdhearc. This is Ireland's only Irish-language theatre. It was established as a large-scale cultural project in the early 1920, when Ireland became a Free State. Micheal MacLiamor, the first director / manager worked there from 1928.

3 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

St Augustine's Catholic Parish (Pass By)

The guide will explain that the Augustinian Order arrived in Galway in 1500 and setup an Abbey in the Forthil. Oliver Cromwell's English army banished them for a period but they returned in 1760 and established this building.

Gothic and Tudor Revival-style former cathedral - Abbeygate Street Lower

Our final stop will be the former Cathedral Building at Middle St. / Abbeygate St. Galway. This old building was in use for many centuries but was deemed inadequate by Galway bishop, Dr Michael Browne in 1957.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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Additional Info

Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
Wheelchair accessible
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
NOTE: A shortened version of this City tour can be offered to guests with mobility issues. Our small team have plans in place to deal with emergencies.
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled by the Supplier due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund

Frequently Asked Questions

(7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Galway History Walking tour with Local expert – Private Group?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (IST). Read more Apr 2025