Our walking tour was with Fiona on St. Paddy's Day, so the streets were very busy and noisy…read more Nevertheless, Fiona took us down some of the less traveled streets and told us about the history of the "city of tribes". She also had a lot interesting and funny stories. Pointed out features in the buildings that normally you would not notice and what the story was behind them. The tour was just the right amount of time and distance covered.

From the owner: Galway Tours provide friendly walking tours of the heart of Galway City. Our guides are all highly…read moreexperienced and can advise on great places to eat and drink while in Galway

I booked the Cliffs of Moher & The Burren half day tour through Galway Tour Company this past…read moreNovember. The value of the tour was great, only costing around $45 (42.50 euros) for an eight hour tour. I was able to select the pickup point at a nearby hotel. The bus was prompt and we headed on our way shortly after 10am. The tour bus driver was an absolute delight. Incredibly friendly and full of knowledge and funny stories. We stopped at a couple spots along the way including a castle, a very old cemetery, and a pub in Doolin. We drove through the Burren on our way which was a really interesting sight to see. I enjoyed learning about the geology of such a unique place. We had adequate time to explore the Cliffs of Moher once we arrive - almost 2 hours to roam around, take pictures, and check out the gift shop. Then we made our way back to Galway and arrived around 6pm. The timing was perfect and I really feel like it was a valuable experience. So glad I booked a group tour instead of renting a car and trying to navigate to the cliffs myself - the roads to get there were really wild and I'm not sure I could've handled it on my own (plus, it would've been way more expensive). I'll also note that the tour company reached out the day before my scheduled tour to let me know they had to reschedule due to the snow and ice that rolled through that night. They put me onto the tour the following day and communication was seamless throughout. I highly recommend booking your tour through Galway Tour Company!

If you're looking for a tour company while visiting Galway, search no further…read more My friend and I took the Cliffs of Moher and Burren Day Trip, Including Dunguaire Castle, Aillwee Cave, and Doolin which conveniently picked up right outside our Galway hotel. The scheduled time frame was 9:30am-5:30pm so not too early and not too late - just right when committing to a day trip tour time frame I'd say. The order of the day trip started with Dunguaire Castle (which featured misty rain when we arrived so not the best weather for traipsing around a castle - sadly it didn't seem that we were able to go inside the castle so this wasn't a long stop), followed by Aillwee Cave (note, this was an additional €20 if I remember correctly), then onto Cliffs of Moher (with perfect weather I might add; I think we had about 2 hours or so to spend here, including shopping in the store which has a lot of great merchandise), an added lunch break at Fitz's Pub in Doolin, then the last stop before heading back to Galway was the Burren. I really enjoyed the Cliffs of Moher stop as well as the Burren - the views were incredible for both. Sadly I didn't spot any puffins at the Cliffs of Moher though. If I could've changed anything about the tour, I probably would have skipped the Aillwee Cave to spend more time in Doolin. I definitely need to find a way to get back to that area to explore more. This was my second day trip centered around the Cliffs of Moher but the previous day trip left from Dublin and included a stop in Galway so it was through another tour company. Choosing between the travel for both, I prefer this trip originating from Galway - it was more reasonable of a time frame as the trip from Dublin started hours earlier and still ended around the same time. We booked this tour directly through Viator, and it cost for 2 adults $109.82 plus tip (which we tipped cash following the end of the tour). Oh and I can't end this review without praising our tour guide Barry Hopkins - he was fantastic, very personable and friendly.

Located about 15 miles east of Galway off the M6, the Athenry Castle dates back to the 13th…read morecentury. Stone walls, a keep and the restored hall are impressive and a fabulous opportunity to look back into medieval life. Check the doorways and arches and battlements and enjoy the castle's impressive artistry. The structure stands at a ford on the Clareen River. After the castle, walk the grounds. Impeccably maintained and there is free parking. Lots of opportunity for photo ops. The Priory down the street is also impressive. If you stop and listen carefully, maybe you can hear the voices of those who were here before? [Review 1966 of 2024 - 147 in Republic of Ireland - 22988 overall]

I could not get enough of Athenry Castle. I am from Chicago, where we have 150ish years of history…read more Ireland has thousands of years of history. Athenry Castle brought history classes to life for me. When I talked with locals, they said the castle has always been there for them so they take it for granted. I walked the grounds on more than one occasion and simply could not get enough of this seemingly ancient building with so much history and energy surrounding it. Athenry Castle is worth a stop, not just for the castle, but the town arch and fences which were all part of the original layout. You can also walk the grounds, check out the cemetery and let the kids burn off any energy in the playlot that is right there.

Ferry Ride I…read morevisited the largest of the islands 23 years ago Worth the ferry ride for lunch Must visit? Perhaps, maybe,.... I have experienced a number of ferry rides

Early in the 1970s, I saw an article in National Geographic about this set of 3 islands in Galway…read moreBay. "Ive got to go there someday" I swore. In less than 5 years in was on a small plane from Galway city to Inishmore, the largest of the islands. All of Ireland is beautiful, but Inishmore was absolutely stunning. We passed on the horse and buggy ride and made our way on foot to the north side. Thousands of miles of stone walls line the roads and fields. We stopped at the stone hut that was used in the filming of "Man of Aran." At this point, we realized that we had to get back to the plane, so we managed to use a crank phone to put in a request to the island's one cabbie. We had enough time to take one more walk to the cliffs on the west side of the island. In 2008, we managed to go back and see Inisheer, the smallest and most southerly of the chain. At dinner, we had the only truly great steak I'd eaten in Ireland (usually better to stick to the lamb). I'd hoped to get a sunset shot, and the one I got showed all three islands at once. High on my bucket list is visiting the third island someday.

Michelle was great, welcoming, knowledgeable , and really seems to enjoy her job. The food and…read moredrinks were really delicious and everything had incredible flavors and so much variety. If only we didn't have a dinner reservation that night, I could have likely eaten and drank even more! It was more than just a tasting at each stop, a lot of food was served, and everything was good.

We did the Mystery Food Tour on Halloween with Michelle! It was a wonderful time and one of the…read morehighlights of our time in Galway. We got to try 5 different spots, all within walking distance. Everything was delicious! We loved learning about the local spots and learning a bit about Galway's history. Michelle was a wonderful guide and great storyteller! The company asked for any food allergies over email a few days before and those with allergies were accommodated so no one felt left out. Highly recommend and hope you'll keep doing the Mystery Food Tour for Halloween!

Well what a trip. 3 hrs from Dublin gets you to this fascinating landscape in Ireland. I was a bit…read moreconfused by the 6 euro per person charge for the car park though considering that the sign states they take no responsibility for damage to items or cars and then give u a ticket to the museum which u can just walk into and no one asks for your ticket ? Besides that though the cliffs are a wondrous sight to behold fascinating and empowers the power of the sea and its landscape. They are not closed off to pedestrians and u can literally sit on the ledges and view them. We had a nice calm day and bring comfy shoes that u dont mind getting dirty . One thing i would say is avoid eating in the cliff side restaurant as its hugely over priced 13.50 for a bowl of stew 2.50 for a small bottle of coke. The museum isnt that intresting seems very out dated. The cinema viewing area looks like something ud see on an old playstation1 . Go for the sights but leave to eat .

Came here through a tour that leaves from Dublin. It is a MUST when visiting Ireland. Beautiful…read moreviews and excellent opportunities to take pictures. The area itself may require a fee, but since I went with a tour bus, our ticket was included. There is a visitors center that has many cool souvenirs cliffs related and Ireland related. They also have restrooms for public use that are unisex, but there are plenty. The weather is ALWAYS changing, so you are just going to have to risk it making it out when the rain stops. I was lucky enough to go on a day that had some rain, but when I got there it got sunny for us for most of the time we were there. There is a tower that allows people to get a nice view, but it was not open the day that I went. I'm not sure if their hours are listed. I did hear from our tour guide that when it is open it's a couple Euro to climb and enjoy taking pics.

Tour cost: 5 Euros (includes tea and scones)…read more Full disclosure: I usually run in the opposite direction from anything in Ireland that has even a whiff of "tourist trap" to it. If there's even a chance that someone is going to be getting off a tour bus with a fanny pack singing Danny Boy, it's a hard no for me. Such was my initial concern when hearing about the Claddagh Arts Centre. As much as I longed to visit the place where Claddagh rings originated (quite literally, they were first made during the 17th century in the village where the Centre now stands as the sole remaining dwelling), I had visions of when I visited Amsterdam and got swarmed by merchants hocking diamonds. I assumed this was a touristy spot where the sole purpose was to get you to buy a new ring. I couldn't be happier that I did a bit of research instead of discounting it. The Centre- and the people who run it- have "sales" as the very last thing on their minds. Their true purpose is to educate visitors on the little-known history of how this once-thriving, rural village on the outskirts of the city was forced to abandon its beautiful, traditional, simple life as modernization and the trawler industry in the bay took over. All that is now left of Claddagh village is the one thatch cottage and outbuilding/cafe that houses the Centre. Once inside, you are transported to another century in Ireland. Far from kitschy knick knacks, each item within is an authentic antique from the era, demonstrating exactly what it was like to live in another time. Anna, who gave us our tour, offered a poignant, powerful and thorough recounting of the trials and triumphs of the villagers, instilling in me a new respect for the rings I have worn since my youth. In my many visits to Galway over the years, I had never before had an inkling of this part of its past. After the voyage back in time, we made our way to the art studio and cafe behind the cottage. Wow. It was filled with the most gorgeous work in various mediums from local craftsmen, using materials found around Connemara. Spectacular stuff. And no sales pitch. In fact, Anna seemed surprised that I even inquired about pricing. Her main concern was kitting out the wood table with a feast of tea and scones. By this stage, the latest Claddagh ring I've been wearing for the last few years, one purchased at some point from some random place, seemed almost like an imposter. Expecting to see rows and rows of rings for sale, I was instead shocked (pleasantly) to find just a humble little tray with a dozen or two. There was no fanfare around it. Sales were truly an afterthought to the people here who are so intent on keeping the Claddagh village story alive. Anna apologized for the small selection and explained that they only carry authentic, vintage rings- as in real, historic Claddaghs. Thus, their inventory was sparse. Figuring that meant I would be priced out of owning one of these treasures, I cast a glance at them just for a chance to see what a "real" Claddagh looked like. And immediately fell in love with one. Its simplicity was so perfectly attuned to its heritage. I checked the price tag. 57 Euros. About $64. Otherwise stated: half the price for this antique than what I had paid for the random one on my finger. It came home with me. I honestly cannot put into words the joy it brings me the twenty times a day I glance down at it. The hour or so spent at the Claddagh Village was a vacation highlight for me in a city where I thought I already knew the best spots. Located just a five minute stroll from the Spanish Arch, it took us on a journey of a hundred+ years. Oh. And it's only 5 Euro per person for the tour, tea and scones. I know. Right? Go visit them when you find yourself in Galway. If you're there in the off-season and hours are limited, ask for a private tour (same cost) as we did. Claddagh Arts Centre & Katie's Claddagh Cottage 26 Fairhill Road Upper, The Claddagh Galway, Ireland Web: https://claddaghdesigns.ie Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CladdaghArtsCentre/

Our family really enjoyed the Angela's Ashes tour with John! John was such a great storyteller. He…read moremade the book and Frank McCourt's life come alive while walking through the streets of Limerick. John did a wonderful job of connecting Frank's life in Limerick to present day Limerick. We would recommend this tour to every person who has read the book!

From the owner: Limerick city walking tours is a young energetic vibrant group of guides who where all born &…read moreraised in Limerick city. Get a unique insight into this historical & interesting city. Stop in some the most interesting sites in Ireland, learn of scandal & intrigue. Take 4 hours to join our busy walking tours or ring to arrange a private tour!