Galway in 24 Hours

Galway in 24 Hours

Galway is easily one of the most exciting and vibrant cities in Ireland. If your time is limited to just one day, then here’s our ‘must do’ list.

Out and About;

There’s a lot to see and do in Galway. Saturdays see the Church Street market add to the buzz and vibrant atmosphere of the city. Centred around St. Nicholas’ Church, the stalls carry everything from local farm produce to artisan ingredients, jams and chutneys to arts and crafts from local groups and well known names.

From here, you can easily explore the Latin Quarter, a warren of winding cobbled streets and laneways with some amazing shops and restaurants to poke your nose into. Shop Street cuts through the middle, and no doubt you’ll be spending some time here going between shops and attractions, but there are some hidden gems on the side streets to be seen.

One such gem is Charlie Byrne’s bookshop. Established in the 80s, this Middle Street institution is the place to buy a book, bar none. The different rooms leading into each other are stacked high with books of every genre both in Irish and English. One hundred thousand plus books line the shelves here, and it’s easily one of the best places to spend a while leafing through pages and finding a great read for your journey.

Another must-see is the Galway City Museum, charting the history of the city right back from its founding up to the modern day. Spread over four floors, it’s an interesting spot to delve into the history of the city and just what it is that helps give Galway a truly international, cosmopolitan feel, while staying quintessentially Irish at the same time.

Lunch;

Artisan Restaurant is an absolute must for lunch. Head chef Mark Campbell prides himself on using in season local produce to create the finest contemporary cuisine in the city. After lunch, what trip to Galway would be complete without a trip to the aforementioned Salthill and the famous prom? If the weather is good, you might even be tempted to get in for a dip! If you’re not brave enough for a swim, you can always walk the pier and partake in another longstanding tradition to “kick the wall”.

Dinner and Drinks;

The food menu of EAT Gastropub Massimos draws from the wealth of product from local farmland, nearby fisheries, and organic vegetables growers. In writing their menu they have sought out the best primary local ingredients, from meat to fish to vegetables in order that you can experience your landscape through their food. Built in 1894 the building is full of charm and character with romantic window tables looking out on to the medieval streets of Galway.

If you’re in the mood for some live music, then the place to be is the Róisín Dubh, one of Ireland’s most well-known live music venues. This club has hosted almost every major act while at the top of their game and when they were relatively unknown.

There’s plenty more that we just couldn’t fit into 24 hours, and if you’re here during this year’s Galway International Arts Festival, you’ll need a lot longer to properly explore the city in between shows.