Fast facts:
In medieval times, Galway was ruled by fourteen merchant families. These “tribes” are where Galway gets the nickname the “City of the Tribes”.
The county of Galway is the first region in Ireland awarded the status of European Region of Gastronomy for 2018.
The Galway International Oyster and Seafood Festival is the oldest oyster festival in the world – it’s been running for 64 years and attracts seafood lovers the world over.
Located in the heart of the city for centuries, Thomas Dillon’s Jewellers are the original makers of the famous Claddagh ring – they’re still handmade in store to this day!
Galway is one of five UNESCO Cities of Film in the world, thanks to fantastic events like the Galway Film Fleadh and the creative spectacle that is the Galway International Arts Festival.
As regular feature of Galway Bay, the iconic Galway Hooker boats hold a long tradition as the handcrafted vessels of choice for Galway fishermen. With rust-red sails and black hulls, you can’t miss them!
With a history of food delights spanning centuries, you’ll find a huge variety of street food and handmade crafts at the Galway Market on Church lane by St Nicholas' Church.
Outside the city, you’ll the rugged region of Connemara, speckled in a wild wonderland of mountains, bogs, heathland and lakes.
Shrouded in a history of romance, tragedy, and sacred secrets, Kylemore Abbey lies in the heart of the Connemara Mountains in County Galway and is now a Benedictine monastery.
There are 7,000 Irish speakers in Galway city, which is nearly ten percent of the population of the island of Ireland.