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History City Small group tour

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$134.45

REG. $147.54

Overview

As one of Ireland's oldest cities, Galway is rich in history and stories. The theme of this shared walking tour is the History, Heritage and Culture of the city, from its Anglo-Norman past to the present-day progressive city. This small group 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. 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. Tours are particularly suited to travelers who like an enjoyable mix of History and legend ! Very popular Tour - hundreds of satisfied guests and many 5-star reviews!

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Eyre Square, County Galway, H91 NFD2, Ireland

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Go to the FRONT ENTRANCE of the Hardiman Hotel, 14/15 EYRE Square, Galway and meet Tour Guide with High-Vis jacket and official ID Badge there.

Language Offered

English-GUIDE

Itinerary

1. The Hardiman

Our accredited Guide will meet you at the FRONT entrance to the Hardiman Hotel in Eyre Square. Guide will accompany you to the main Square and give a brief overview of Galway's rich history.

Duration: 7 mins

2. John Fitzgerald Kennedy Memorial

Our accredited guide will accompany you to various Points of Interest and Iconic Buildings around the Square. . The first stop on the route is the John F Kennedy Memorial We visit historical sites including the old Browne Doorway and the Quin-centenary Fountain and talk about the 14-Tribes banners

Duration: 7 mins

3. 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 !

Duration: 6 mins

4. Franciscan Church

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.

5. 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.

Duration: 5 mins

6. 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.

Duration: 8 mins

7. Bowling Green

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!

8. 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.

Duration: 15 mins

9. 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.

Duration: 10 mins

10. 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.

Duration: 8 mins

11. 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!

Duration: 8 mins

12. 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.

Duration: 12 mins

13. 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.

Duration: 5 mins

14. The Spanish Arch

The famous Spanish Arch is adjacent to open-space area, known as the Spanish Parade . This area once included 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.

Duration: 7 mins

15. 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.

Duration: 7 mins

16. St Augustine's Catholic Parish

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.

17. 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.

Duration: 3 mins

18. 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.

Duration: 5 mins

Inclusion

Easily adapted Walking tour to guest wishes.

A Professional tour Guide

Small Private Tourist groups.

A Voucher towards a visit to St Nicholas Church (for 10am Tours only!)

Exclusion

Tea and coffee

Alcoholic beverages

Private transportation

Accomodation

Excess Baggage

Cancellation Policy

Refundable tickets

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

100% refund if cancelled 1+ days before the start date
0% refund if cancelled less than 1 day(s) before the start date

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Transportation options are wheelchair accessible

All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

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

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.

Supplied by Western Tours and Tales

Reviews

4.6

★★★★★ ★★★★★

Based on 28 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

5 stars

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Galway History Walking tour with a Local Guide Discount Tickets

Select your ticket

Offer details

Overview

Meeting and Pickup

Language Offered

Itinerary

1. The Hardiman

2. John Fitzgerald Kennedy Memorial

3. Williamsgate Street

4. Franciscan Church

5. Galway Courthouse

6. Galway Cathedral

7. Bowling Green

8. Lynch's Castle

9. Market Street

10. Saint Nicholas' Collegiate Church

11. The Lynch Memorial

12. Galway's Latin Quarter

13. Druid Theatre

14. The Spanish Arch

15. Hall of the Red Earl

16. St Augustine's Catholic Parish

17. An Taibhdhearc

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

Inclusion

Exclusion

Cancellation Policy

Additional Info

Reviews

4.6

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