Magpie
4.6(26 reviews)

Galway History Walking tour with Local expert - Private Group

From$125
1h 55m
Galway, Ireland

Full description

As one of Ireland's oldest cities, Galway is rich in history and stories. The theme of this private walking experience is the History, Heritage and Culture of the city, from its Anglo-Norman past to the present-day progressive city. This Private guided 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. Tours are particularly suited to travellers who like an enjoyable mix of History and legend ! 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. (NB: Discount tickets to St Nicholas' Church is confined to the morning Tours as the church closes at 4pm!)

Included / Excluded

  • 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 and 1pm Tours only!)
  • Meals or gratuities
  • Alcoholic Beverages
  • Transportation to and from the meeting point .
  • Accomodation
  • Personal Expenses

Itinerary

1

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 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
2

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 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
3

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 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
4

Pass by: 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.

Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
5

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 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
6

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 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
7

Pass by: 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!

Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
8

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 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
9

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 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
10

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 minAdmission: YES
11

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 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
12

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 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
13

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 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
14

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 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
15

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 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
16

Pass by: 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.

Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
17

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 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
18

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 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE

Meeting point

Start Location

Unknown location

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 1 days before the activity starts

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

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair Accessible
  • Stroller Accessible
  • Service Animals Allowed
  • Easy Public Transport

Good to know

  • 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

Traveler reviews

4.6
26 reviews
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A wonderful informative walk with Gerard on a soft Irish day

Gerard was wonderful!! He called early before our tour and suggested we move the time a little later as the rain was due to stop. Right on cue, the tour started and rain stopped. Gerard was excellent introducing us to the new and old Galway and told us some interesting Irish facts that we hadn’t heard before. A wonderful informative walk on a soft Irish day 😄. Thanks Gerard!

The_MirsOct 9, 2025TRIPADVISOR

Morning walk in Galway

The tour with Gerard was very nice and informative. While Galway was very busy it is a cool historic city. We learned a lot. We also had plenty of time the rest of the day to take in what the city offers in food, drink and shopping.

mkfisher12Sep 24, 2025TRIPADVISOR

A walk through time

Ger was a very nice and knowledgeable guide. We learned many interesting and exciting facts about the history and lore of Galway. I would highly recommend a tour of Galway with Ger as your guide.

Steven GMay 21, 2025TRIPADVISOR

A brilliant historic walking tour of Galway

Ger is brilliant! The tour was really good and he gave us lots of facts, some of which I didn't know! It's not my first time in Galway, however Ger still took me to places I had not been before, and gave me information about every location. He knows his facts very well and made the tour interactive, answering all of our questions about the city and its history. I would definitely recommend it, especially due to his friendliness and knowledge!

D6050OZhenrydOct 30, 2024TRIPADVISOR

Super Walking Tour

A brilliant walking tour explaining about the history of Galway. Ger is very knowledgeable on the history of the city and the country as a whole and the interaction we had with him was brilliant. A great tour and a wonderful way to find out more about Galway.

E6080BEnickdOct 29, 2024TRIPADVISOR

Additional information

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
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