Located in Eyre Square, the Galway Hooker Monument is part of the Quincentennial Fountain that…read morecommemorates the 500th anniversary of Galway City's incorporation as a borough. The copper-colored "sails" represent a Galway Hooker, a type of fishing vessel that is unique to Galway. The name "hooker" comes from the Irish word "húicéir" which means "prowler" or "sneaker." The Galway Hooker is characterized by its distinctive shape and color. It has a single mast with a mainsail and two foresails, and a sharp bow that cuts through the waves. The hull is black, tarred to protect it from the salt water, and the sails are red-brown, dyed with a mixture of ochre and animal blood. The boat is designed to be fast, stable and seaworthy, able to cope with the rough conditions of the Atlantic Ocean. The Galway Hooker was a symbol of the importance of the sea for trade and survival in Galway. [Review 1952 of 2024 - 134 in Republic of Ireland - 22974 overall]

I rented a TFI bike in Galway and used it to ride the Mutton Island Causeway hoping to at least SEE…read morethe lighthouse but no. As Anson W. mentions in his 2017 review, the property is inaccessible and gated. Since I was not interested in spending the rest of my time in Ireland in an Irish jail, I opted not to trespass. The lighthouse was turned up in 1817 as a navigational aid for ships entering Galway Harbor. It has a domed lantern on a polygonal tower. It has not been staffed since 1958 when the light became automated. It is unfortunate that the Galway City Council isn't able to have even a footpath around the sewage treatment plant so that people can visit or perhaps view the lighthouse. If you do decide to try to view the lighthouse, expect some stiff winds on the causeway. It was downwind coming out here but returning with a headwind was a real challenge on the bike! [Review 1957 of 2024 - 139 in Republic of Ireland* - 22979 overall] Round number 200 in my Ireland collection https://www.yelp.com/collection/ZCzlOg8i2mSwvAy1uCyb7g

Mutton Island is home to two things, and neither is related to sheep. The first is a privately…read moreowned sewage treatment plant that serves the mainland. The second, and arguably more interesting, is a lighthouse and attached keeper's quarters built in 1817. A causeway measuring approximately 850 meters (just a little over half a mile) connects the island to the Galway mainland. This causeway is accessible to the public, and the expansive views of Galway Bay along it are incredible. It might be a good idea to bring a jacket when visiting, as it can get windy and chilly out there. At the end of the causeway, a locked gate and a sign state that the island is off limits, and that those wishing to see the lighthouse must make an appointment with the City Council Heritage Officer. Whether this works is unclear, but it's certainly a no-go for non-resident visitors who are not staying long. On its bicentennial anniversary, it's a shame that the lighthouse is still inaccessible to the general public. The official website states that the lighthouse is undergoing restoration. Future plans have not been made known.

No one can say they've really been to Galway before they've been to the Galway Races. Every year…read morethe festival kicks off on the last Monday in July and runs for seven consecutive days. Each day has a different theme, and the most popular day is Ladies Day (Thursday). This year I made it to Monday's race meeting. Being a races nut back home (we have the Melbourne Cup Carnival and all) I knew how to handle the event, and planned a glammed-up outfit with classy finishings and accessories. To my surprise (and minor embarrassment) I discovered that the Summer Racing Festival at Galway does not necessarily = fashions on the field. Oh no.... while we were primped to the max in tailored dresses, hair pieces and full make-up, the majority of the crowd was hanging out in jeans. We felt SO stupid! So a note of warning to you all - if you want to get dressed up for the Galway Races, go to Thursday's race meeting - it's Ladies Day and everyone gets dressed up. On all the other days you just look slightly out of place... However, we didn't let our inappropriate attire spoil our evening... oh no! Off we trotted, firstly to the bar (Guinness have a v cool oyster and Guinness bar here), and next to place some well thought out bets (aka betting on the horse with the coolest name, or the one that looks the prettiest in the ring). We fought our way through to the front of the bookies' queues and prepared to win big. Needless to say it didn't happen that way. Of course every cent we bet went down the drain (it just goes to show that gambling doesn't pay) but we hadn't bet our life savings or anything, so we weren't too downtrodden. The races themselves were great craic, and everyone gets right into them. I noticed that between races everyone goes off to bet on the next race. That doesn't happen so much back home - must be a healthier betting culture here! Probably the funniest moment of the day was when the skies suddenly opened and it poured rain. The mad dash to the grandstand was a sight to behold, to be sure. A ticket to the Galway Races will set you back 20-30 euros, and you can catch a bus there and back from town. And in case you hadn't cottoned on to the Galway party style, the town goes MAD during races week. Great craic. Get yourself there.

I think I could be the bookies new best friend!…read more Oh dear, a lot of money was spent on horse that seemed to loose heart in the final sprint to the finish much to my dismay. I was convinced that shouting heart felt curses at them would work, along with cursing the jockeys for their short stubby legs and what not. Obviously the gods of the race course did not favor this. All in all, the races are a highly entertaining day out. I managed to go in Ladies Day (Thurs) in all my finery and found myself highly amused by what can simple described as oranges with legs, in ill fitting shoes and belts for dresses. Oh I was in my element in my white dress trying not to let any of them brush against me. So if you find yourself highly amused with the saying "look what the cat dragged in through orange blotchy paint" then do go along. This is not to say that there aren't a few garments that are beautiful, they just need to be searched for and are often found within the Champagne Tent. Now the Champagne Tent, in my opinion, is designed for those who do not wish to sit in a private box up above all the common riff raff, but still don't want to mingle with them. This carefully constructed scheme is created by simply not selling champagne by the glass. You may think that this is not a great deterrent but oh it is. Considering that yours truly and friend who wasn't to be drinking were just searching for a singular glass, we believed it in our best interests that a bottle would be a bad idea considering I would be absolutely shit faced as I would HAVE to drink it all. If the gowns and champagne isn't for you then head over to the betting stands and place a 5 euro bet. Trust me it gets addictive. The best thing is to set a group of friends in the stands whilst you and another pose go and place some bets. Rush back and see your horse stride to victory. Of course this is all hypothetically speaking as in my case, my horse decided to stumble in the last 50yards with a 50/1 odd with a 10 euro bet. My main piece of advice is to take a car. Ignore what everyone says about taking a bus, the bus is horrible as the wait and ques for the buses are disgraceful along with the behavior of some of the 'young uns.' Take a car and cram it with friends, or as many as seat-belts will allow. The only wait in a car will be to get out of the car park but after that it's plain sailing. Or even more simply, make friends with someone who owns a helicopter.

Located on a small square to the west of the bridge and the main district of Galway, this tall…read moresculpture is the Claddagh Icon. It shows the icon icon of Claddagh, the former fishing village, depicting a seagull, a ship and the sun. The artwork is by sculptor John Coll. The plaque at the base reads, "Commissioned by Galway City Council, Kindly supported by J.J. Rhatigan and Company for Dealbh an Initiative in Galway Public Art by The Amicable Society of Galway Chamber of Commerce and Galway City Council. 2009." There are many sculptures and pieces of public art in Galway. Keep an eye out! [Review 1932 of 2024 - 114 in Republic of Ireland - 22954 overall]

I am of Ireland, And the Holy Land of Ireland,…read more And time runs on. -William Butler Yeats This interesting structure stands tall on one side of Eyre Squar with a carved stone marker. The marker with it reads (in English but also in Gaelic), "This feature consists of a ground floor doorway and a 1st floor Oriel window and came from the main frontage of the mansion of Dominic Browne and his wife Maria Lynch and is dated 1627. Their achievements of arms occur above the door case which is a fine example of Renaissance influenced design. The doorway was relocated from its original position in Abbeygate Street and relocated here in 1905 by Local Authority with funding from Galway Archaeological Society and Urban District Council (now Galway City Council)." The intricate craftsmanship and carvings of the doorway offer a glimpse into the past, showing the artistry and skill of the 17th century. It is a must see for history enthusiasts and those who appreciate fine architecture. [Review 1946 of 2024 - 128 in Republic of Ireland - 22968 overall]

This statue is a replicate because some people suck. The original sculpture is on display and safe…read morein the nearby Galway History Museum. Pádraic Ó Conaire (1882-1928) was an Irish writer and journalist. Born in Galway, he was orphaned by the age of eleven. Despite facing personal hardships, including the early loss of his parents, Ó Conaire's work left a lasting impact on Irish literature, celebrating the richness of Irish culture and folklore. The statue shows the man sitting and perhaps contemplative. The copper has been worn in a few spots including his nose and the brim of his hat. [Review 1947 of 2024 - 129 in Republic of Ireland - 22969 overall]

Thomas Nicholas Burke (1830-1883) was an Irish Dominican preacher. This statue of him stands on the…read morewest side of the Galway bridge and is by artist John F Kavanagh. It depicts the man in a Dominican habit holding a book and a cross. It was unveiled in 1912 on the occasion of the centenary of his birth. Fr. Burke was quite popular in the United States, where he visited several times between 1865 and 1883. He preached to large crowds in cities such as New York, Boston, Chicago and San Francisco, and was invited to speak at prestigious venues such as Harvard University and the Academy of Music. He also raised funds for various causes, such as the Irish famine relief, the Catholic University of Ireland and the Dominican missions in Africa. [Review 1933 of 2024 - 115 in Republic of Ireland - 22955 overall]