One full day in Galway City. What to see?

Assuming these still exist, I highly recommend the Galway Civic Trust's medieval Galway walking tours on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at 2pm, meets at Red Earl Hall site. The tour lasts 90 min to 2 hours. I was there in 2018. When I google the tour now, the sites listing it seem to be pre-covid.

If the weather is nice, an easy, pleasant 30 min walk from Galway city center gets you to the Salthill beach promenade where you can walk along the beach, dine in cafes and restaurants, and some people swim (but it is probably cold in June). There is also a local bus if you don't want to walk.

We used the walking tour in the RS Ireland Guide when we visited Galway City.

Inis Mór, the largest of the three Aran Islands. You can take a bus to Rossaveal and then a ferry to get there and spend the day. You’ll need to take a tour to see it all which you can do when you arrive.

There's a mall in central Galway and within the mall is a portion of the medieval city wall. They built the mall above it. That's kind of cool. Lots of interesting eateries and pubs in Galway. It has a nice vibe.

MaryPat - I want to spend a day in Galway City itself. After Galway I am actually flying to Inis Mor to spend 2 nights there, so I will see that island then.

I guess I am looking for just a relaxing day exploring Galway City by foot. I already have a list of things to see, but just wanted to see if I missed anything.

Thank you!

We enjoyed walking from the old town to the cathedral, and then to the original Claddagh houses, and then through the coastal park (just to the west of the city center), and back. It’s a nice walk if the weather is good. You’ll see some less touristy, residential neighborhoods. The cathedral was built in the 1960s (I think), but looks much older. It’s all stone. There’s not much left of the Claddagh houses, but their history is interesting. And the coastal walk is pretty.

If you need one more thing to do, there’s a cute, quirky little aquarium just west of town. You might need a car for that, though.

Have fun!! I liked Galway a lot.

Hello from Wisconsin,

I have been to Ireland many times over the last 50 years. The city of Galway is one of a few Irish cities that has held no charm or interest for me. So I thought I would cruise the internet and see what others found so interesting in Galway city. Well, there are the Aran Islands. Now I don't mean to pick a fight, but the Aran Isles are not in Galway. city, Galway County, yes. Only 60 km out of the city. Then there is Dunguaire Castle. Again, I might be nitpicking here, but that castle IS NOT in the city of Galway. It is however under 30 kn away from city center. Then there is the beautiful limestone Burren, which is not even in County Galway, but in County Clare. The cathedral is...well let me know what you think after you've been inside. I think of it as 'solid'.

Follow Rick's tour or linger in the old section of town. Poke around the shops. As far as I know, the only truly Irish sweater shop in the west of Ireland is in Galway. A sweater shop owner in Clifden recommended it to me. Boy was that an expensive recommendation.
Worth every penny, but three sweaters later... You will know when you get there. The sweaters are much more expensive than the 'Irish' sweaters in other shops. However, these are not the 'assembled' in Ireland, or 'machine knit' in Ireland sweaters you will find scattered all over Ireland, but truly Irish Hand knits from beginning to end. Give them your measurements and the embellishments you want and they will have one made just for you. I think the shop goes by the name O'Maille's. And a tip about these sweaters. Get one that opens in the front (zippered or buttons). They are really, really warm.

wayne iNWI

Just to defend Galway City, we've been there three times, and the music is excellent. My fav is the Crane Bar, but within a few blocks are several pubs that have unscheduled sessions, including Bierhaus and Carroll's Pub. Tig Coli is good, but it draws all the crowds. We always stay in the same B&B, but I won't advertise.

Thanks. I figured one day in Galway City just walking around and checking out the city would be a nice way to go at a slower pace and get out of the car. I figure I have enough other days planned of drives/hikes/biking, and my 16 year old will probably like some time to shop.

My entire schedule looks something like this

Day 1 - Arrive in Shannon 6am. Collect car and drive to Cliffs of Moher. Putter around, see Doolin, etc...Stay in either Doolin or Fanore.
Day 2 - A leisurely drive to Galway City stopping to see a few sites in northern Clare (Gleninagh Castle, Poulnabrone Dolmen, Leanmaneh Castle, Burren Perfumery, Kinvara, Dunguaire Castle). Get to Galway City late afternoon/early evening.
Day 3 - This is my day walking around Galway City.
Day 4 - Drive up to Cong and around Lough Corrib.
Day 5 - Head to Inishmore for 2 nights. 1/2 day on inishmore
Day 6 - Full day on Inishmore
Day 7 - Fly back to Galway. Drive to Clifden via Roundstone, maybe hike Errisbeg? Overnight Clifden
Day 8 - Kylemore Abbey/Sky Road/Diamond Hill. Overnight Clifden
Day 9 - Not sure, probably do whatever we missed on Day 8, maybe see Mannin Bay Blueway? More Sky Road? a Sheep dog demo? Overnight Clifden
Day 10 - Drive to Westport via Doo Lough Valley. Hope to do Lost Valley walk (3 hours). Get to Westport, explore & dinner. Overnight Westport.
Day 11 - Achill Island drive to Keem Bay Beach. Overnight Westport
Day 12 - Something around Westport or drive up to Downpatrick Head? Overnight Westport
Day 13 - Drive to Dublin, maybe try to see Newgrange if we leave early enough and can get tickets. Return car @ airport. Overnight Dublin or Portmarnock.
Day 14 - Dublin.
Day 15 - Dublin
Day 16 - Dublin
Day 17 - Fly home.

I have cousins in Portmarnock so the 3 days in Dublin are probably going to be spent with them and maybe 1 day just checking out the city and seeing what we want to see there.

https://wikitravel.org/en/Galway

Your modified itinerary looks good.
My only thought would be to consider a slight detour along your route from Westport to Dublin in order to visit the monastic settlement at Clonmacnoise along the River Shannon just south of Athlone.

Thanks Robert - I have visited Clonmacnoise on my trip in 2019 so I think I am OK with skipping it this time.

If you are going to Cong, consider a visit to the school of falconry at Ashford Castle. A hawk walk is guaranteed to thrill a 16 year old (and most adults). https://www.falconry.ie/

Yes, we are already planning to do the Hawk Walk @ Ashford Castle! I just forgot to mention it in my post.