Plan your trip to Galway, Ireland

Galway, called Gailimh in Irish, is Ireland's third largest city and an important visitor hub. It has long been known as "The City of the Tribes," an appropriate title given the multicultural vibrancy of present-day Galway. Although it has only a few typical sightseeing spots, its atmosphere, culture, people and events make it a wonderful place to stay.

The pedestrian shopping area south of Eyre Square is a pleasant place to walk around. Here you can find all kinds of shops, pubs and restaurants. If the traditional Irish rain starts to fall, visit the Eyre Square shopping center, where a roof above parts of the old town wall creates a beautiful combination of old and new.

At the south end of the pedestrian mall is the Spanish Arch, one of the few remnants of Galway's ancient defenses. The park adjacent to the arch is a popular place to sit and relax while watching the Corrib flow out into Galway Bay.

Galway is the ideal base for trips throughout western Ireland. Hiring a car is a good way to see attractions in the surrounding area. Alternately, day tours of the Burren, the Cliffs of Moher and Connemara are available at the tourist office.