Galway Landmarks: From Eyre Square to Salthill

November 5, 2026

A route through the landmarks

These landmarks follow a natural line from the railway station, through the old town, to the quays and out along the bay. Everything lies within a 20 minute walk except the last stop.

1. Eyre Square

The park outside Ceannt Station was the setting for a 1963 speech by John F. Kennedy and is a convenient place to begin. Dublin trains arrive here after about 2 hours 20 minutes.

2. Lynch’s Castle

A 16th-century fortified townhouse of limestone at Shop Street and Abbeygate Street. It houses a bank, so look from the pavement at the carved coats of arms.

3. St Nicholas’ Collegiate Church

Founded in 1320, this parish church is Ireland’s largest medieval one still in regular use, and its churchyard hosts a weekend market.

4. The Lynch window

On Market Street, a window commemorates the story of Mayor James Lynch FitzStephen and his son in 1493. It is a local legend that historians doubt.

5. The Spanish Arch

Built in 1584 beside the quay, it extends the medieval town wall. The Long Walk of coloured houses begins nearby.

6. Galway City Museum

Next to the arch. The modern building opened in 2006, entry costs nothing and it keeps Tuesday to Saturday hours of 10:00 to 17:00.

7. Galway Cathedral

Constructed from 1958 to 1965 on Nun’s Island at the site of the old city prison. It is a working church and takes visitors without charge, though donations are welcome.

8. Salmon Weir Bridge

An 1818 stone bridge beside the cathedral. Look down in early summer for salmon. The river below is fast and cold, so keep off the banks.

9. Salthill Promenade

A 3.2 km seafront walk ending at the Blackrock Diving Tower. The tower is a local swimming spot; the water is cold and tidal, so do not enter in rough weather.

10. The Claddagh

A residential area west of the river and the source of the ring story.

Beyond the old town

Three outings reach further. Dún Aonghasa on Inis Mór is a Bronze Age fort on an unfenced 87 m cliff; adults pay €5, and you walk about 1 km uphill. The Cliffs of Moher, about 75 km south in County Clare, charge €15 at the 2026 gate and include parking. Connemara National Park at Letterfrack is free, and Kylemore Abbey nearby costs about €18 for adults.

Weather

Pack a waterproof. Rain falls often through the year.