Galway Historic city Tour – 2.5hr Family & Friends Private groups

For the 2024 season, we’re offering this family and friends inclusive group Walking tour of Galway. As one of Ireland’s oldest cities, Galway is rich in history and stories. The history, heritage and culture of this West of Ireland city is the theme of this walking tour – from Galway’s Anglo-Norman past to the present-day progressive city.

The tour is led by a local Tourism expert. You will enjoy a fun element with an enjoyable mix of history, culture and legend. Western Tours like to make our guests feel like a friend is welcoming them !

Highlights of this walk will include visits to top city landmarks and you get to explore the Galway Cathedral, Courthouse Square, medieval Lynch’s Castle, the 700yr-old St. Nicholas’ Church, the Latin Quarter, the famous King’s Head pub and Galway’s Spanish Arch.

Other attractions along the route include the Hall of the Red Earl archaeology site and Galway City Museum. We allow guests ‘free time’ to understand local culture and take photos.

Our accredited Guide will meet you at the FRONT entrance to the Hardiman Hotel in Eyre Square. We provide a Tour ineniary here. Our tour starts at the main Square, where the Guide will give you a brief overview of Galway’s rich history. We’ll outline the city’s unlikely rise from a Gaelic settlement on Ireland’s west coast to a wealthy and prosperous Walled city!
We’ll tell you about the 14 Tribal merchant families of Galway, various Points of Interest, iconic buildings and Historical aspects around the Square.
The old Browne Doorway, the Tribes of Galway Banners, the John F Kennedy memorial and the Quin-centenary Fountain all feature.

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 !

We now divert down Eglinton Street and pass by the Franciscan Friary church on the left. This iconic old church has lots of history and includes a little grave-yard at the rear which was a prominent place of burial in mid-17th and early 18th centuries.

We now enter the Eyre Square Centre to view the impressive Medieval City Walls from the 13th century.

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.

The tour returns via Galway’s famous River Walk to the main city artery. We arrive at a two-street intersection and the iconic Lynch’s Castle building. This 4-story rectangular mansion is the oldest in the city and the finest surviving Town-Castle in Ireland. It was once the ancestral home of the powerful Lynch clan up until the mid-17th century. We explain the history of the building, its crests and roundels.

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.

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.

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! The Nora Barnacle House is believed to be Ireland’s Smallest Museum.

We next arrive at the imposing Church of St Nicholas Colligate Church, a 700year old structure. Your Guide 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.

Extra Note: If you are lucky enough to visit on a Saturday, you can sample all the wonders of the Saturday Market (8am-4pm) just outside the church area!

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.

At this very popular Tourist attraction, we hear the story of the 15th century Lynch Memorial window and Mayor James Lynch FitzStephen. The story involves his privileged son, Walter, a love rivalry, a violent confrontation and the son paying the ultimate price issued by a stern, justice-of-the-peace father! The window commemorates this enduring legend and was erected in 1854.

Quay Street has been at the centre of Galway life since the city was founded almost 600 years ago. Today its a busy focal-point thoroughfare with several pubs, restaurants, cafes and lots of music. Also located here is a medieval castle, the Claddagh Ring Museum and even a building that housed Galway’s first nightclub !

From our Wolfe Tone Bridge vantage point, we can see the Claddagh Village across the River Corrib. This old Gaelic settlement was located outside the walled city of Galway. It was regarded as a fishing village with about 3000 people living here. The fishermen fished Galway Bay aboard the old Galway Hooker boats while the women-folk later sold the fish on the Spanish Parade area. Of course, the Claddagh area gave its name to the famous Claddagh Ring!

This open-space area, known as the Spanish Parade formally contained the old Galway port. Up until about 1660, there was a brisk foreign trade between Galway, France , Spain and Portugal. Old Galley ships frequented here with goods including wines and spices for local merchant families. Adjacent to here the medieval Spanish Arch is located on the banks of the River Corrib.

• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Wheelchair accessible
• 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
• Most travellers can participate and tour is child and animal-friendly
• NOTE: Check out our Private City tour, 400766P1 where a shortened version of this group tour can be offered to guests with mobility issues.

• Historic Galway – 2.5hr walk
  Add
  Tour Guiding
  Duration: 2 hours: The duration of this Group walking is 2hrs 20 minutes approximately.
  Central Square to Old town
  Walking Tour

• We respect cultural diversity and welcome inclusion of people from all nationalities and backgrounds
• A comprehensive tour and entertaining stories of Galway’s history.
• Private City tour with Professional guide
• Discount ticket to visit St Nicholas Collegiate Church (for 10am Tours only!)
• With agreement of group, this Walking tour can be adapted to individual wishes.

• Extra Gratuities

Trending Galway Nearby Tours Likely To Sell Out

Please note you need to bring your Mobile or printed Ticket along with you so we can confirm booking.

Please be advised..

• This Tour is Provided by Western Tours and Tales.
• Tour Timezone & Starts at Europe/Dublin.
• Mobile or paper ticket accepted.
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
• This Tour is Rated 5 Stars based on 2 valid reviews on TRIPADVISOR.
• Minimum 1 Travelers is required to book.
• Maximum 15 Travelers is accepted for booking.