Galway (Gaillimh in Irish) is the smallest of the major cities of Ireland but the largest in the province region of Connacht. It is also by far Ireland’s most ‘bohemian’ city and attracts a great many hippies, students and Gaelic speakers from all over Ireland and the world, especially in the summer months. It is seen by many as the gateway to the West and Connemara, an absolute must see area for anyone wishing to say the have truly visited Ireland.

The Galway Races: Arguably Ireland’s most popular sporting event and the most well attended this week long festival is the premium horse racing meeting on the calendar. It is held at the Galway racecourse (5Km from the city, 3Km from the airport) every year at the end of July/start of August, and can draw crowds of up to 200,000 people over the course of the week. Be you a gambler, a horse lover or otherwise the craic is the stuff of legend by now but be sure to book your place and accommodation months in advance.
www.galwayraces.com

Galway Arts Festival: Arts and Crafts are really big in Galway and this obsession culminates in the annual arts festival every July when hundreds of writers, artists, performers and musicians descend for two weeks of celebrations. Most popular are theatre and street performances but this really is for every with a creative or imaginative personality.
www.galwayartsfestival.com

The Róisín Dubh: This music venue has over the last number of years has overtaken its Dublin rivals as the best medium-sized music venue in the country with many cult heroes going out of their way to make a stop off at this now famous live room. Located on the west (more lively) side of Galway city the Róisín boasts an atmosphere and regular following that would be the envy of many other clubs in the world.
www.roisindubh.net

Eyre Square: The newly re-opened Eyre Square is the focal point of Galway life. Full of sculptures and landmarks and with a genuine buzz and exuberance to it, it is usually the first stop off for a visit to the city and a reference point thereafter.
www.ireland.com/travel/counties/360/galway/eyre

Lough Corrib: Just 15 miles outside of the city you will find the shores of the largest lake in the Republic of Ireland (68 square miles) and one of the cleanest most unspoilt waterways in Europe. It is a peaceful area and provides for excellent fishing grounds.
www.corribcruises.com

Galway offers a wide range of shopping opportunities. Given that it is the main port of call for next to everyone visiting the West the city is well used to catering for rural locals and tourist visitors alike. There are a number of great enclosed shopping centres, most of which can be found on the outskirts of the city. There is, however, the Eyre Square shopping centre at the famous park and a number of interesting arts and crafts stores in the centre of the city.
www.galway.net/galwayguide/shop

• An Róisín Dubh
  Dominick Street
  Tel: +353(0)91 586 540
  www.roisindubh.net
• Monroe’s Tavern
  Dominick Street
  Tel: +353(0)91 583 397
• Westside Tavern
  Westside
  Tel: +353(0)91 524 648
• An Pucán Bar
  11 Forester Street (off Eyre Square)
  Tel: +353(0)91 561 528
• Taylor’s Bar
  Upper Dominick Street
  Tel: +353(0)91 587 239
• Oscars Restaurant
  Dominick Street
  Tel: +353(0)91 582 180
  
• Marinas Seafood Restaurant
  The Radisson Hotel
  Lough Atalia Road
  Tel: +353(0)91 538 300
  www.radissonhotelgalway.ie/marinas_restaurant_galway
• Biquet’s
  Spanish Parade
  Tel: +353(0)91 568 450
• Druid Lane Restaurant
  9 Quay Street
  Tel: +353(0)91 563 051
• Quay Street Restaurant and Wine Bar
  21 Quay Street
  Tel: +353(0)91 565 662