Medieval Galway Tour

5.0

based on 12 reviews

| Galway, Ireland

Features

Free Cancellation

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

Instant ticket delivery

Mobile Ticket

Pickup available

Duration

1.5 hours

Wheelchair accessible

Audio guide

Live guide

Fáilte Ireland Regional Guide with over 10 years of experience and an MA in Irish Studies.
Fáilte Ireland Regional Guide

Entrance fee into St. Nicholas's Church.

Mobile or paper ticket accepted
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
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Please note, tour runs in all weather, unless there's a severe weather warning. Please dress accordingly. In the event of a severe weather warning the tour will be cancelled for the safety of the group, and an alternative date or a full refund will be given.
Please note that the Galway Christmas Market is running from 8 November 2024 to 5 January 2025. It might be difficult to find the Browne Doorway during this time with the Christmas stalls set up. Look for the large beer tent in Eyre Square. The doorway is to the left of the beer tent.

Take a walking tour of Medieval Galway with an experienced regional guide and member of the Approved Tourist Guides of Ireland. See the remnants of the medieval period in Galway and learn about the city's past.

Meet your guide at the Browne Doorway in Eyre Square where they will take...

Duration 1 Hour and 30 Minutes
Group Tour
Max 15 people in the group

1
The Browne Doorway
The Browne Doorway is a freestanding door in Eyre Square. The door comes from a house that was originally located on Lower Abbeygate Street and the house was owned by Martin Browne, a very important merchant.
- Duration 5 Minutes•
- No Admission Ticket Required
2
Eyre Square Centre
Hidden in Eyre Square Shopping Centre are the remains of the city walls. Walls were a common feature of towns during the medieval period and they were a defensive feature. Visitors will hear how the walls were important to the people of Galway.
- Duration 5 Minutes•
- No Admission Ticket Required

Lynch's Castle

Lynch's Castle is connected to the Lynch family who were one of the 14 Tribes and a very powerful family. Today the building is AIB bank and the oldest commercial building in Ireland.

Duration 5 Minutes•
No Admission Ticket Required

The Lynch Memorial

Galway is known as the City of the Tribes. The Tribes were 14 families who controlled Galway during the medieval period. Hear about the Mayor of Galway, who hung his own son in the 1400s.

Duration 5 Minutes•
No Admission Ticket Required

Saint Nicholas' Collegiate Church

St. Nicholas' Collegiate Church has been at the heart of Galway city for over 700 years. Visitors will hear about Jane Eyre and James Kearney, and how Cromwell's soldiers used the church as a stables. There is a fee to enter the church, which isn't included in the price of...

Duration 10 Minutes•
Admission Ticket Not Included

The King's Head

The King's Head pub is a popular spot in Galway city but the building has a connection to the beheading of King Charles I of England.

Duration 5 Minutes•
No Admission Ticket Required

Thomas Dillon's Claddagh Gold

Explore Thomas Dillon's Jewellers on Quay Street. They are the original makers of the famous Claddagh ring since 1750. Hear the story surrounding this well-known ring.

Duration 10 Minutes•
No Admission Ticket Required

Hall of the Red Earl

The Hall of the Red Earl is a significant archaeological site and run by Galway Civic Trust. It was discovered in the late 1990s and all that can be seen are the foundations, with the remains of the walls, columns and buttresses. Visitors can walk down into site to get...

Duration 10 Minutes•
No Admission Ticket Required

Kirwan's Lane

Galway had 14 lanes and and alleyways during the medieval period. Kirwan's Lane is one of 5 lanes still in existence and named after the Kirwan family who were one of the 14 Tribes. There are still remnants of medieval Galway on Kirwan's Lane with some of the buildings.

Duration 5 Minutes•
No Admission Ticket Required

Quay Street

Blake's Castle at the end of Quay of Street was owned by the Blake family, one of the 14 Tribes. At one point the castle was the county gaol. Visitors will hear a little of what life was like for the criminals in the jail. The castle fell into ruin...

Duration 5 Minutes•
No Admission Ticket Required

The Spanish Arch

The Spanish Arch is one of Galway's most iconic attractions. It was built as an extension of the city walls and protected the boats that were moored in the harbour. Visitors will hear about the Claddagh across the river and the tsunami that destroyed two of the arches.