We happened upon an international art festival and it was fun. Music dancing, crafts which was fun…read morebut the coolest part was a parade that was like nothing I'd seen before.

I had heard great things about the Galway weekend market, so great that I made it a point to be in…read moreGalway Friday night as part of my Ireland trip. Hotels were a bit expensive in early September, but I learned that I had picked the weekend of a big car show (the Cannonball) that drove up prices and drove down availability. I'll search calendars next time. Other than the market (usually weekends only but Wed/Thur/Fri in July and August), Galway has a lot going on. It is a seaside town so you'll find restaurants with fresh seafood. There is a ferry from here to the Aran Islands. There are beaches and a lighthouse (that requires an appointment). The Galway Museum is good for an hour or two of history. Several nice pubs along Quay Street. Lots of smaller hotels, hostels and B&Bs. There are taxis and Uber or you can try the Bus Éireann which has its schedule and route published on Google Maps. Parking is available in most places and unless there's a sign or a kiosk, it's free. Five stars for Galway and don't miss it. [Review 1963 of 2024 - 145 in Republic of Ireland - 22985 overall]

This preserved tower castle is in the historic village of Athenry (Ath-en-ri). Visit, not just for…read morethe castle, but for the village as well. There is a tourist map on the street, across from the Priory, showing points of interest in the town. The Castle and town were developed by the Normans in the late 12th century. Much of the Castle structure, floors, attics, are new while still preserving as much of the original construction as possible. The older construction gives a view of how these massive towers were constructed that is surprising. There is a video on the 2nd upper level (3rd floor) giving a history of this tower and town, as well as other sites around Ireland, that is very interesting. There is a gift shop located at the Castle ticket office ground floor, and a craft area above. This building is part of the original structures on site and most of it is open as part of the tour. Restrooms are located in the back. We got a quick overview of the property before taking ourselves on a tour of the properties and walking around town. The market square is just up the road from the Priory, and around the corner from the castle is the old stone 'north' gate. The priory, which you can see from the Castle, was built by the Normans and Irish together and for a brief time was an educational center (University). There are some very grand tombs here, as well as tombs of historical significance. Although the Castle is the main draw, you can easily spend a couple of hours here exploring the ruins and the town. There is a playground across the street from the Priory, and the town Market Square has a number of small restaurants and pubs. A nice family day out.

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]

A must see full of great stores, pubs, and street musicians. Take the time to browse around, and…read morecheck out the vintage stores if that's your thing - we found interesting items!

Completely touristy - but fun for a few hours…read more If you're in Galway a stroll in the Latin Quarter is surely on your list. And it was on ours too. It's a fun little area, very easy to navigate with countless bars, pubs and restaurants. The nicest thing about it are the colourful buildings. A feast for the eye. At around 10-12 in the morning you still have a good chance to enjoy the buildings and take good pics, since there's not much going on yet. Also a good time to check out the shops. Later in the afternoon the streets get really packed. Sometimes it's a real traffic-jam and finding a good table in a pub with music or a table outside is nearly impossible. Besides the tourists there are street artists and musicians (of different quality) lining up on the street. Most pubs and restaurants cater to tourists with mostly reasonable prices, but average food-quality. But it's still a fun place and we also dined here, even we knew the meal wouldn't be perfect. But it's a perfect place to sit at an outside table and watch the world go by.

This castle was a brief stop on our day tour to the Cliff of Moher and the Burrens. The cake a…read morestill closed due to state funding . They had signage by savekinvaracastle.com to petition people to help reopen the castle. From the outside the castle was beautiful. We were able to walk around the grounds and take some pictures. The surrounding areas is picturesque and definitely worth a quick stop.

The castle was technically closed when I visited (August 2026), but the outer gate was still open…read moreand visitors were able to walk up to the castle, enjoy the views of the swans in the water, and appreciate the castle from both up close and from afar. The parking lot is located down the street. If time allows, I would still recommend checking out this castle and capturing some nice photos.

Wonderful example of a 14th century church. Worth a visit if you're in the area. It's yet another…read moreexample of Cromwell's destruction of Ireland.

It was raining when our tour group arrived at Ross Eerily Friary, which is on the county line…read morebetween Galway and Mayo. It was a really cool old structure. It's all just stone at this point, but there are active burials that still take place on the grounds. There had been one very recently when we were there in early September. Despite the rain, it was a really cool place to visit. Cows abounded in the areas surrounding the friary and the history was rich. I don't see why anyone would come here unless they were going on a tour or part of a funeral procession, but it's worth the stop if you're in the area. Give yourself about ten minutes to walk around. That's all the time you need.

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]

I learned about W.B. Yeats in an Irish Literature class in college and have been obsessed with…read morevisiting this place. This tower and visitor center are located out in the beautiful countryside on a quiet lane. The staff was welcoming, even setting up the Yeats video for us to watch before our tour. Walking around the spaces that he wrote many of his best poems was inspiring, especially since they have some of the original furniture around. The stairs to head up the tower are steep and slim, so that's good to keep in mind. They do allow you on the roof, which I would recommend because we got to take in the countryside that Yeats would often view.

Open May through September, I was too early to get into the building. This tower castle was owned…read moreby the family of W.B. Yates. The poet spent a great deal of time living here throughout his life.When the building suffered flood damage several years ago, a group of W.B.Yates enthusiasts came together to raise funds to restore the tower house. It reopened in the summer 2015. This location is also famous for fans of John Wayne and specifically fans of the movie 'The Quiet Man' which was filmed in many locations around Co. Galway. Although now overgrown, Maureen O'Hara took off her stockings in what was a field behind the building, and ran across the (very low at the time) river with John Wayne not far behind. Attached to the tower is a low, thatched roof building and across the way is a low walled garden with a bridge over a stream. The path from the bridge leads to a dead end which makes me believe it is a good fishing spot just there. There is a small high walled garden at the end of the thatched structure. It's a nice drive out, and the property is quite nice to visit. There is a large parking lot on the left, just before you reach to the tower and tour buses come this way. If you are a fan of Yates, Wayne, or like to fish, take the drive through lovely countryside and visit Thoor Ballylee.

Blackhead lighthouse is a beautiful lighthouse located right on the coast, in the burren, Co…read more Clare. The beach and surrounding area is just amazing. You get the spectacular view of the Irish west coast and at the same time can enjoy the burren. I bike up this way a few times a year during the summer and every time stop at Blackhead to soak in a few rays and enjoy the view of the ocean sure.