LAID-BACK CITY COOL IN THE WEST OF IRELAND

Nestled on the west coast, across the centre of Ireland from eastern Dublin, sits the lively city of Galway. Come here for its cool vibe, thriving music, food culture and university-inspired ambience.

You’ll find it straddling the River Corrib where it meets the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. With 80,000 inhabitants, Galway is the sixth-largest city in Ireland. The wider region also boasts the largest Irish-speaking community, or Gaeltacht, in Ireland.

Galway is a colourful, lively cultural hub where you will find something to your taste while you’re in town. There’s a reason why it was named the European Capital of Culture for 2020. There are lots of things to do here.

Architecture lovers should pay a visit to the controversial Galway Cathedral on Nun’s Island, famed for being the last great stone cathedral built in Europe. To learn more about local history, head to the Galway City Museum. And of course, you can always sample Irish drinks in Galway pubs.

Make sure to go for a stroll along the southerly Salthill Promenade to breathe in the sea air from the Atlantic. Take a trip to medieval Galway by visiting Kirwan’s Lane. And on a Saturday, stop by the historic Galway Market to hunt for souvenirs and try hand-made food and local produce.

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