Travel Guides: All Countries / Europe / Ireland / County Galway
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| | | Craggy Atlantic coastline |  | Why go on holiday to Galway?
County Galway is one of the highlights of Ireland as it stretches west from Ballinasloe, through the wilds of Connemara, to the craggy Atlantic coastline beyond Clifden.
Galway City is the west coast's liveliest, most populous town.
How much does it cost?
Flights to Galway cost about £45 return and you have to change planes in Dublin. Alternatively you could fly to Dublin (from £29 return) and drive or take a train to Galway.
Rail and air fares can vary greatly and you should always check with the operator for exact flight prices.
Cottage accommodation from £100 (sterling) a week. B&B costs from £25, hotels from £35.
When should I go?
July and August have the best weather, which brings the crowds and high costs.
In winter the weather can be miserable and many tourist facilities shut. During July's festivals Galway City gets very busy so make sure you've booked accommodation.
Why go on holiday to Galway?
County Galway is one of the highlights of Ireland as it stretches west from Ballinasloe, through the wilds of Connemara, to the craggy Atlantic coastline beyond Clifden.
Galway City is the west coast's liveliest, most populous town.
How much does it cost?
Flights to Galway cost about £45 return and you have to change planes in Dublin. Alternatively you could fly to Dublin (from £29 return) and drive or take a train to Galway.
Rail and air fares can vary greatly and you should always check with the operator for exact prices.
Rent a cottage from £100 (sterling) a week. B&B costs from £25, hotels from £35.
When should I go?
July and August have the best weather, which brings the crowds and high costs.
In winter the weather can be miserable and many tourist facilities shut. During July's festivals Galway City gets very busy so make sure you've booked accommodation.
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| | | Explore the islands | | What should I do when I'm there?
Enjoy pubs, theatres, festivals and street life in Galway City, hike through the wonderful Connemara National Park or the Lough Inagh Valley. Cycle the rugged "Sky Road" near Clifden. Visit the Aran Islands for cycling or walking and exploring.
Where can I get away from it all?
Head west to Connemara, a wild, barren patchwork of bogs, lost valleys, pale grey mountains, shimmering small lakes and excellent salmon fishing.
The Maumturk Mountains and the quartzite peaks of the Twelve Bens in the centre of the region offer stunning, if strenuous, walks with views over the plain to the sea, where pretty villages such as Roundstone and Carna nestle among pink granite rocks.
The scenic landscape around the Lough Inagh Valley, past the Bens and around Kylemore Lake (known as "Joyce country") would be difficult to surpass anywhere in Ireland.
What about the Aran islands?
The limestone Aran Islands, Inishmor, Inishmaan and Inisheer, rise up from the sea and are criss-crossed by ancient stone walls enclosing sandy paths. On Inishmor you'll find the amazing Dun Aengus and two other stone forts - all more than 2,000 years old.
Try to make it to Inishmaan with its forts, cottages and church, or to tiny Inisheer with O'Brien Castle, ring fort, Heritage house and Church. Allow yourself a few days for tranquil exploration.
What about historic sights?
Gort has a 16th century Norman tower used by the poet WB Yeats as a summer home.
It's open Easter to September and has his furnishings and fittings and a presentation about his life.
Dunguaire Castle, north of Kinvara, is also 16th century and each floor represents a different phase in its history. It has guided tours. Galway city is full of history including Lynch's Castle, parts of which date back to the 14th century.
What should I do when I'm there?
Enjoy pubs, theatres, festivals and street life in Galway City, hike through the wonderful Connemara National Park or the Lough Inagh Valley. Cycle the rugged "Sky Road" near Clifden. Visit the Aran Islands for cycling or walking and exploring.
Where can I get away from it all?
Head west to Connemara, a wild, barren patchwork of bogs, lost valleys, pale grey mountains, shimmering small lakes and excellent salmon fishing.
The Maumturk Mountains and the quartzite peaks of the Twelve Bens in the centre of the region offer stunning, if strenuous, walks with views over the plain to the sea, where pretty villages such as Roundstone and Carna nestle among pink granite rocks.
The scenic landscape around the Lough Inagh Valley, past the Bens and around Kylemore Lake (known as "Joyce country") would be difficult to surpass anywhere in Ireland.
What about the Aran islands?
The limestone Aran Islands, Inishmor, Inishmaan and Inisheer, rise up from the sea and are criss-crossed by ancient stone walls enclosing sandy paths. On Inishmor you'll find the amazing Dun Aengus and two other stone forts - all more than 2,000 years old.
Try to make it to Inishmaan with its forts, cottages and church, or to tiny Inisheer with O'Brien Castle, ring fort, Heritage house and Church. Allow yourself a few days for tranquil exploration.
What about historic sights?
Gort has a 16th century Norman tower used by the poet WB Yeats as a summer home.
It's open Easter to September and has his furnishings and fittings and a presentation about his life.
Dunguaire Castle, north of Kinvara, is also 16th century and each floor represents a different phase in its history. It has guided tours. Galway city is full of history including Lynch's Castle, parts of which date back to the 14th century.
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| | | Delicious seafood | | Where's good for nightlife?
Galway City pubs include the 100-year-old Seagan Ua Neachtain. Upper Cross Street has a flamboyant crowd, and the King's Head in the High Street is popular in summer. The Lisheen Bar, Bridge St, is a good traditional music venue.
Listings mag Galway Edge is available free - check what's on at the three theatres. On Inishmor in Kilronan there's music in most of the pubs at night. Try Joe Watty's Bar and The American Bar or Lucky Star.
What's the food like?
Irish meals are usually based around meat - try a traditional Irish stew. This area is also good for seafood - notably fresh oysters and mussels. Traditional Irish breads and scones are also delicious - try a cake-like bread called barm brack.
The main meal of the day tends to be lunch. Wash down a good pub lunch with a Murphys or a Guinness (it really does taste even better in Ireland).
What should I buy?
The Galway Claddagh ring in silver or gold is a popular buy. The Design Concourse Ireland in Kirwan's Lane displays and sells the cutting edge in Irish design: from furniture to tableware to high fashion.
Head to the Galway Irish Crystal Heritage Centre for glassware and the Royal Tara China factory at Mervue for ceramics. In Clifden and Roundstone you'll find places to buy bodhran (goatskin drums used in Irish music). In Aran buy the famous sweater.
What is there for children to do?
They can go riding on real Connemara ponies along the beach and up into the hills at the Errislannan Riding Centre on the Ballyconneely road. There are plenty of safe beaches to swim from in the area.
Oceans Alive aquarium and museum is on Derrinver Bay, near Lettefrack.
Tourist Office
Tourism Ireland, 103 Wigmore Street, London W1U 1QS. Tel.0800 039 7000.
Where's good for nightlife?
Galway City pubs include the 100-year-old Seagan Ua Neachtain. Upper Cross Street has a flamboyant crowd, and the King's Head in the High Street is popular in summer. The Lisheen Bar, Bridge St, is a good traditional music venue.
Listings mag Galway Edge is available free - check what's on at the three theatres. On Inishmor in Kilronan there's music in most of the pubs at night. Try Joe Watty's Bar and The American Bar or Lucky Star.
What's the food like?
Irish meals are usually based around meat - try a traditional Irish stew. This area is also good for seafood - notably fresh oysters and mussels. Traditional Irish breads and scones are also delicious - try a cake-like bread called barm brack.
The main meal of the day tends to be lunch. Wash down a good pub lunch with a Murphys or a Guinness (it really does taste even better in Ireland).
What should I buy?
The Galway Claddagh ring in silver or gold is a popular buy. The Design Concourse Ireland in Kirwan's Lane displays and sells the cutting edge in Irish design: from furniture to tableware to high fashion.
Head to the Galway Irish Crystal Heritage Centre for glassware and the Royal Tara China factory at Mervue for ceramics. In Clifden and Roundstone you'll find places to buy bodhran (goatskin drums used in Irish music). In Aran buy the famous sweater.
What is there for children to do?
They can go riding on real Connemara ponies along the beach and up into the hills at the Errislannan Riding Centre on the Ballyconneely road. There are plenty of safe beaches to swim from in the area.
Oceans Alive aquarium and museum is on Derrinver Bay, near Lettefrack.
Tourist Office
Tourism Ireland, 103 Wigmore Street, London W1U 1QS. Tel.0800 039 7000.
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| | Available rental properties in County Galway |
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