Described as the “Venice of the West” by Yeats, Galway is quickly becoming the go-to tourist destination for those who wish to get a sense of Ireland. Known as The City of Tribes, Galway has recently emerged as the epicentre of culture, art and music and is second only to Dublin in tourism numbers. So, if you want to get a true taste of Ireland, here are the best places to visit in Galway.
Taaffes Bar
If you like a drink (or even if you don’t) this is one of the best places to visit when travelling in Galway. Taffees Bar is a 150-year-old village pub, located in the heart of Quay Street. Locals and tourists flood to Taffees during the day for their delicious food and authentic Irish Guinness. You can even catch a game of hurling or Gaelic football on the TV’s.
In the evenings, you can enjoy some traditional Irish music from live performers. There is live music on every day at 5:30pm and 9:30pm. Be sure to get there a big earlier in order to secure a table, as this place fills up quickly.
Quay Street
Quay Street is one of the more popular streets in Galway. You can find everything here from historical landmarks to independent shops and amazing street buskers.
During the day, this is a great place to walk around, taking in the sights, sounds and smells of Ireland. You can get a delicious lunch at one of the quirky cafes, be serenaded by a busker singing Irish folk songs and finish the afternoon in Eyre Square, taking in the surroundings.
By night, Quay Street comes to life. With countless pubs, clubs and music rooms, you really can just take your pick. Depending on whether you want to dance the night away with live music, club beats or sit with a sophisticated drink, there is something for everyone here.
Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs of Moher are one of Galway’s most impressive attractions. The cliffs stand at over 200 meters tall, stretching their jagged rock across the Clare coastline into the Atlantic ocean. On a clear day, you can see the Aran Islands and Twelve Ben mountains from its peak.
You can take the day trip, which allows you to take a guided tour around the cliffs. This includes lots of walking and can take up to several hours. If you are after a less arduous viewing experience, you can simply drive up to the cliffs and take the few steps up from there.
The Cliffs of Moher are famous in the world of film. They were feature in movies such as The Princess Bride, Leap Year and even in the Harry Potter series.
Eyre Square
Eyre Square is a great place to sit and relax in the sun. There is a small playground for children, ample green space for you to sunbathe (if the weather allows) and on select days, there are even market stalls here.
There is such rich history at Eyre Square dating back to 1710 when Mayor Edward Eyre officially handed the land to the city. Eyre Square is also known as the John F. Kennedy Memorial Park, to commemorate where the president made a speech in 1963 to around 100,000 people. This was JFK’s final trip before he sadly passed.