- The Collegiate Church of St Nicholas built in 1320, is the
largest Medieval Parish Church in Ireland. Christopher Columbus worshipped here before
crossing the Atlantic in 1492. The church is still in use and still retains the chancel
and nave from that time. Tombstones within the church provide a fascinating record of the
lives and deaths of people from the 12th – 20th centuries.
- Lynch's Castle dating back to 1329, is an imposing building,
with a gargoyle, carved coat of arms and stone mullioned windows. It still retains its
original ornamented stone façade and is now the home of the Allied Irish Bank.
- Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and St. Nicholas
stands on the site of the old Galway Goal and dominates the Galway' skyline. It was built
in 1985 of cut limestone, in a combination of classical and traditional design and has
Connemara marble flooring throughout.
- The Spanish Arch on the banks of the river Corrib, so named
because of Galway's trading with Spain, was built in 1854. The arch leads to the Long Walk
where in past times, Galway's gentry strolled.
- The Old Claddagh was once a fishing seafront on the western
bank opposite the Spanish Arch. The small thatched homes are now gone, but the black hulls
of the fishing boats, Galway Hookers and Pucans, still remain as do the white swans of the
Claddagh. Across the road in the Dominican Church, is the wonderful 17th century wooden
statue known as "Our Lady of Galway". The world famous Claddagh ring owes its
origin to this area of Galway
- Medieval Wall – a major section of the Galway medieval
town wall, built in the 13th century, runs through the Eyre Square Shopping Centre.
- Nora Barnacle's home at no 8, Bowling Green, was the home of
Nora Barnacle, who married world famous novelist, James Joyce.
- Kirwan's Lane, off Quay Street is one of Galway's last
remaining late medieval lane.
- The University, a stately Victorian Quadrangle, built in
1816, now plays a very important part in the city's social, business and artistic life.
Today 6000 students attend the university, studying arts, science and business courses at
both under and post-graduate level.
For more information on Heritage sites of Ireland visit www.heritageireland.ie
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