Visit Galway
| Address: | Ireland GALWAY County Galway |
| Website: | www.visitgalway.ie |
| Email: |
Galway or ‘Gaillimh’, as it’s known in the native Irish language, is situated on the picturesque west coast of Ireland. It is one of the five counties in the province of Connacht. It gets its name from the River Corrib (or River Gaillimh, as it was once known) that formed the western boundary of the earliest settlement, which was called Dún Bhun na Gaillimhe (“Fort at the mouth of the Gaillimh”).
With it’s reputation, association and close links with the Irish culture, language, music, song and dance traditions, Galway has become fondly known as Ireland’s Cultural Heart. The county is well known for its “Irishness”, due to its designated Gaeltacht regions throughout the county. A Gaeltacht region is an area where its inhabitants largely speak the native Gaelic Irish as their first language. Galway has the largest population of remaining native Irish speakers in Ireland.
Apart from often being termed Ireland’s Cultural Heart, Galway also bears the nickname of ‘The City of the Tribes’. The nickname derives from the ’14 tribes’ of merchant families who came to positions of authority and led the city in its Hiberno-Norman period after c.1450. The most prominent of these 14 tribes was the Lynch family, who provided 84 mayors to the city. The other families included: Athy, Blake, Bodkin, Browne, D’Arcy, Deane, Ffont, Ffrench, Joyce, Martin, Morris and Skerritt. The crests of these prominent Galway families can be seen below.
It is understood that the first inhabitants in the Galway region arrived over 7,000 years ago. Studies of shell middens highlight the existence of people in the area as early as 5,000 BC. Before County Galway became an official entity around 1569 AD, the county was made up of several kingdoms and territories. The kingdoms included Aidhne, Uí Maine, Maigh Seóla, Conmhaícne Mara, Soghain and Máenmaige.
Population
According to a 2016 census, the population of Galway is 258,552, making it the 3rd highest populated county in the Republic of Ireland. Of this, Galway City holds the highest population, with the towns of Tuam, Ballinasloe, Loughrea and Oranmore following.
Folklore
Mythical folklore tells the story that Galway is named after “Gaillimh” (Galvia), a daughter of a local chieftain, “Breasail”, who drowned in the River Corrib. As a result, the surrounding area became known as Áit Gaillimhe (Galway’s Place).
Accomodation
Merriman Hotel
At the Merriman Hotel in Kinvara, guests are treated to a warm friendly welcome during their stay. Built in 1996, the Merriman is Ireland’s largest thatched hotel with 32 bedrooms, including several family rooms, so you can be assured of a truly unique stay – after all, how many chances are you going to have to stay in a thatched hotel?
The staff at the Merriman Hotel are also fantastic, aiming to please their guests always, through providing the warmest of welcomes and with nothing being too much trouble. There is a real ‘home away from home’ feeling when you step into the Merriman Hotel, making it the perfect place to relax, unwind, explore the beauty of the West Coast and experience the Wild Atlantic Way.
Attractions
- Historic & Cultural
- Museums
- Buildings & Structures
- Castles
- Statues & Monuments
- Ice-Houses, Kilns & Mills
- Mileposts & Weighbridges
- Ring Forts & Souterrains
- Stone Circles, Tombs, Standing Stones
- Religious
- Cathedrals & Churches
- Friarys & Abbeys
- Temples, Mausoleums & Obelisks
- Holy Wells, Shrines & Crosses
- Natural Landscape & Outdoors
- Rivers
- Lakes & Fjords
- Mountains & Hills
- Beaches
- Parks, Gardens & Woodlands
- Off The Beaten
- Unusual Attractions
- Haunted & Paranormal
- Film & TV
Activities
- Activity Centres
- Sports/Outdoors
- GAA Football
- GAA Hurling
- Rugby
- Football
- Golfing
- Equestrian
- Fishing
- Watersports & Cruises
- Karting
- Dog Racing
- Walking/Hiking
- Cinema & Theatre
- Comedy
- Kids
- Shopping
- Spa & Relaxation
- Art
- Casinos
- Other
The Galway Card
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