Galway Historic city Tour - 2.5hr Family & Friends Private groups

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| Galway, Ireland

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2 hours 35 minutes (approx.)

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Overview

**Discover Galway: A Walking Tour Like No Other!**

Step into the heart of Galway with our exclusive 2025 City Walking Tour, designed for families and friends who want to experience this vibrant city like a local. Led by a passionate local expert, this tour offers a unique, engaging journey through one of Ireland’s most vibrant and historic cities.

Step back in time as you explore Galway’s Anglo-Norman roots, wander medieval streets and see how it has evolved into a thriving cultural hub. This is a lively storytelling experience, blending fascinating facts with fun local insights.

Visit iconic landmarks such as Galway Cathedral, Lynch’s Castle, and St. Nicholas’ Church, stroll through the Latin Quarter, and uncover hidden gems like the Hall of the Red Earl. You even get a taste of Galway’s famous pub culture at The King’s Head!

We make sure you feel less like a tourist and more like a friend being welcomed into the heart of Galway. BOOK NOW for an experience you won’t forget!

What's Included

We respect cultural diversity and welcome inclusion of people from all nationalities and backgrounds
A comprehensive tour and entertaining stories of Galway's history.
Discount ticket to visit St Nicholas Collegiate Church (for 10am Tours only!)
With agreement of group, this Walking tour can be adapted to individual wishes.
Private City tour with Professional guide

Tea and coffee Coffee and/or Tea
Alcoholic beverages Alcoholic Beverages
Extra Gratuities

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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

Eyre Square
Galway, Ireland

Guests have the option of remaining in the Old town / Latin quarter area or returning to returning to the central , Eyre Square with with your guide

What To Expect

Eyre Square

Our accredited Guide will meet you at the FRONT entrance to the Hardiman Hotel in Eyre Square. We provide a Tour ineniary here. Our tour starts at the main Square, where the Guide will give you a brief overview of Galway's rich history. We'll outline the city's unlikely rise from a Gaelic settlement on Ireland's west coast to a wealthy and prosperous Walled city! We'll tell you about the 14 Tribal merchant families of Galway, various Points of Interest, iconic buildings and Historical aspects around the Square. The old Browne Doorway, the Tribes of Galway Banners, the John F Kennedy memorial and the Quin-centenary Fountain all feature.

17 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

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

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Eyre Square Centre

We now enter the Eyre Square Centre to view the impressive Medieval City Walls from the 13th century.

7 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 famous River Walk to the main city artery. We arrive at a two-street intersection and the iconic Lynch's Castle building. This 4-story rectangular mansion is the oldest in the city and the finest surviving Town-Castle in Ireland. It was once the ancestral home of the powerful Lynch clan up until the mid-17th century. We explain the history of the building, its crests and roundels.

10 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

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

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! The Nora Barnacle House is believed to be Ireland’s Smallest Museum.

Saint Nicholas' Collegiate Church

We next arrive at the imposing Church of St Nicholas Colligate Church, a 700year old structure. Your Guide 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.Extra Note: If you are lucky enough to visit on a Saturday, you can sample all the wonders of the Saturday Market (8am-4pm) just outside the church area!

9 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.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

The Lynch Memorial

At this very popular Tourist attraction, we hear the story of the 15th century Lynch Memorial window and Mayor James Lynch FitzStephen. The story involves his privileged son, Walter, a love rivalry, a violent confrontation and the son paying the ultimate price issued by a stern, justice-of-the-peace father! The window commemorates this enduring legend and was erected in 1854.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Quay Street

Quay Street has been at the centre of Galway life since the city was founded almost 600 years ago. Today its a busy focal-point thoroughfare with several pubs, restaurants, cafes and lots of music. Also located here is a medieval castle, the Claddagh Ring Museum and even a building that housed Galway's first nightclub !

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Wolfe Tone Bridge (Pass By)

From our Wolfe Tone Bridge vantage point, we can see the Claddagh Village across the River Corrib. This old Gaelic settlement was located outside the walled city of Galway. It was regarded as a fishing village with about 3000 people living here. The fishermen fished Galway Bay aboard the old Galway Hooker boats while the women-folk later sold the fish on the Spanish Parade area. Of course, the Claddagh area gave its name to the famous Claddagh Ring!

The Spanish Arch

This open-space area, known as the Spanish Parade formally contained the old Galway port. Up until about 1660, there was a brisk foreign trade between Galway, France , Spain and Portugal. Old Galley ships frequented here with goods including wines and spices for local merchant families. Adjacent to here the medieval Spanish Arch is located on the banks of the River Corrib.

8 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Hall of the Red Earl

This old Medieval site 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

Naughton's Pub (Tigh Neachtain)

Tig Neachtain is today one of Galway's finest pubs. In former years it was the town-house of Richard Martin, a local Galway celebrity in his day! In his early years as a duellist, he earned the nickname 'Hairtrigger Dick'. In later years, he was elected for Galway to the British Parliament and introduced animal rights laws, which earned him the name 'Humanity Dick'. These laws led to the setting up of the SPCA. Martin was also landlord of a substantial area of Connemara. Note: If group members are interested we can return to this fine pub in the heart of the medieval quarter and taste some drinks (at own expense).

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Kirwan's Lane

If Quay Street is too busy or alternatively if time allows our group will divert onto Kirwans Lane off Quay Street. This little detour will allow us to walk down this secluded medieval laneway. The laneway is named after one of Galway's Gaelic tribal families. This sublime streetscape offer us a view to past times when Galway city was regarded as 'the finest in the Kingdom'. Also located here is the site of the former Richard 'Humanity Dick' Martin Theatre.

3 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.

7 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 Forthill area of the city. Oliver Cromwell's English army banished them for a period but they returned in 1760 and established this building.

Druid Theatre (Pass By)

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 McDonagh. Many well-known Irish actors and directors have worked with the company down through the years.

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

Our final stop will be the old Galway Cathedral Building at the Middle Street / Abbeygate Street junction. This old building was in use for many centuries until it was deemed inadequate by Galway bishop, Dr Michael Browne.

10 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

NOTE: Check out our Private City tour, 400766P1 where a shortened version of this group tour can be offered to guests with mobility issues.
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
Most travellers can participate and tour is child and animal-friendly

Frequently Asked Questions

(7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Galway Historic city Tour – 2.5hr Family & Friends Private groups?

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).This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund. Read more Apr 2025