Located on the beautiful Galway Bay, the city of Galway is a perfect touring base for the western regions of Ireland; the coastal region and the Aran Islands. Known as Gailimh in Irish, this is Ireland’s third largest town. Galway is a lively city with an excellent nightlife. There are a multitude of restaurants of cafes to choose from and live music is offered in numerous venues on any given night. Many of the locals in Galway have held onto their traditions and it is not uncommon to hear Irish spoken in the street, shops and pubs.

See

• Lynch’s Castle  –  built in the 14th century this limestone building is a excellent example of Irish gothic architecture. The facade features intricate stonework with finely carved gargoyles and the Lynch coat of arms. The Lynch family who previously resided in the castle were the most powerful of the 14 Galway tribes and the family supplied the city with many Mayors. The castle is a wonderful example of Galway’s medieval past and well worth a visit.
• The Twelve Bens – Also known in Ireland as the Twelve Pins, this is a small mountain range located only a short distance from Galway offering rugged landscapes of steep peaks and wide bottomed valleys. The area offers excellent opportunities for outdoor activities, such as hiking and climbing.

Experience

• Cliffs of Moher – this magnificent attraction is approximately a 1 ½ hour drive from Galway city and is one of Ireland’s most famous attractions. The majestic cliffs reach a height of 214 metres spanning a distance of 8 kilometres and are home to one of the largest colonies of seabirds in Ireland.
• Aran Islands – Located to the north west and south east of mouth of Galway Bay are the special Aran Islands. The three islands which make up the Aran Islands from largest to smallest are Inishmore, Inishmaan and Inisheer respectively. For those visiting the islands there are many spectacular sights with many amazing geological formations and historical monuments to explore.