Hmmm... where to start!? from the outside the place looks quaint, half-doored and typically Irish…read more The inside is like a museum of a museum, the sort of thing you'd see in the old days before the curator realised people like to be able to see individual artifacts rather than pick them out of the jumble! The exhibits ranged from a dug-out canoo C900 CE to what looked like a 2 year old HP photocopier - in fairness that might have been there for admin purposes but who'd know!? Unlike most museums in Ireland there was a covercharge - 3Eur per person (children go free), a fee we felt was a bit cheeky considering the content but on a wet and cold Irish summers afternoon it certainly helped pass the time!

Definitely worth a visit to learn about the history of Westport and Clew Bay. Completely disagree…read morewith first reviewer who thinks it is 'cheeky' of them to charge admission. It is staffed by volunteers, begrudging them a couple of Euro to support the cause? They would spend far more than that on a pint without a second thought! The artifacts and photographs on display are interesting and the volunteer staff is very willing to answer any questions. The docent gave a short overivew of Westport's history which is fascinating. There is almost too much to see, but overall a great way to spend an hour our two. They also offer walking tours of Westport for 5 Euro.

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!

My friends and I went on a tour to the cliffs of moher and the burren with Galway tour company and…read morewe had the most amazing time! Dave is such a great tour guide and very informative. This was easily our favorite day in Ireland!

Can't thank Paul enough for taking care of my family's bike adventures. An experience that we will…read morenever forget. Great exercise and photo ops!

I would highly recommend Paddy and Nelly bike company. Very friendly and easy to deal with. Their…read moree-bikes are fantastic to use and great for the hills on the greenway. Very enjoyable 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]

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.

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!

It was a fine summer day and we'd driven from Bangor Erris through the most stunning scenery…read moreimaginable on some of the worst narrow roads imaginable. We crossed the Michael Davitt bridge onto Achill island and drove past a mobile Ulster bank van. We had Keel as our destination as we negotiated the narrow roads and meandering sheep who were everywhere and who see tourists as an inconvenience. The entire experience was a tad spooky as despite being a fine day in early summer the entire island was shrouded in mist the whole time we were there and we were there about three hours. We chose Keel as my wife used to holiday here as a child. Her family arrived with a tent to a caravan park and pitched up 15 yards from the wild Atlantic. Travelling west from here the next land is the USA. We got to Keel and the caravan park and we walked along the beach with the mighty blue/green Atlantic Ocean roaring at us as my wife relived fond memories of a stark, haunting very beautiful wilderness. Hard to believe that this stark, rugged island has been continuously inhabited from 4,000 years BC. Wow now that's impressive.

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/