Galway - 65 Attractions You Must Visit

Dun Aengus is over 3,000 years old prehistoric hill fort on the Aran Islands of County Galway. It was perched spectacularly on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the fort is about 900 metres from the visitor centre and offers views of up to 75 miles of Irish coastline. As much of the tour is outdoors, visitors are advised to wear weather protective clothing and shoes suitable for walking over uneven terrain.

Dún Dúchathair is a prehistoric fort located in front of the sea on Inishmore in County Galway. , its still imposing remains make it one of the most famous places on the island and Its age is unknown. The fort consists of a terraced walls, reaching 6 metres high and 5 metres wide. On the inside are the ruins of various rooms, possibly from Clocháns or Beehive huts. There is also evidence of a cheval de frise protecting the entrance.

Dún Eochla is a superb stone ring fort located at the highest point on Inishmore in the Aran Islands. Consisting of two series of walls, which with the stone hut in the enclosure, were repaired in the late 19th Century. It lies on Inishmore, at the edge of a 100 metre high cliff. A popular tourist attraction, Dún Aonghasa is an important archaeological site.

A majestic 16th-century tower house on the southeastern shore of Galway Bay in County Galway, Ireland. The castle comprises of a 75 foot tower and defensive wall against a stunning backdrop making this castle – the most photographed castle in Ireland. The castle served as one of the strongholds built by Guaire’s descendants, Lords of Aidhne, O’Heyne or Hynes, chieftains in 1520. It was one of minimally nine fortifications built in the region.

Dunsandle Castle is a 15th century castle built by the De Burgo family. It is fully accessible and has an exceptional charm with its location in the middle of the forest and its stones full of history. It is filled with unique architectural features to include a great hall with tie beams, it’s groin vault construction, an 18th century ice house, a murder hole and remains of a bawn with a defence tower featuring gunloops.

Errisbeg Mountain is a beautiful mountain in Connemara. From its 280 meters of altitude, it overlooks the village of Roundstone, and is a superb location for hikers and wilderness lovers. The area is stunning and ideal for discovering the very soul of Connemara. There are also so many things to see and do in this area and also its natural beauty attracts a lot of people to here.

Ross Errilly Friary is the largest and best preserved Franciscan Friary in Ireland. is a National Monument of Ireland and among the best-preserved medieval monastic sites in the country. Though usually referred to by locals as "Ross Abbey," this is not technically correct as the community never had an abbot.

This is a white sandy beach with a stunning mountain backdrop. You can enjoy breathtaking scenery and crystal clear waters. Perfect for those looking for a scenic stroll, great snorkelling or a swim with a view. The beach is popular for swimming, snorkelling, walking and sightseeing.

Glengowla Mines is a "show mine" dedicated to the lead and silver mining history of Glengowla and the Oughterard area. The mines, abandoned in 1865 are a unique reminder of the 19th century methods of ore- silver and lead extraction and processing. The mine is noted for it’s rare and beautiful crystals of fluorite and quartz, Pitch pine timbers believed to be brought by emigrant coffin ships are still intact in the mine today.

Glinsk Castle is situated in the River Suck valley and was the principal residence of Lord of Clonconway, Mac David Burke and was built in the mid 17th century, on the site of an earlier castle. The main entrance way was on the first storey on the south side, between the two towers. The interior walls and floors have gone. One of the most impressive features remaining are the prominent chimney stacks in the end walls.

Gorumna is an island on the west coast of Ireland, forming part of County Galway The Island is linked with the mainland through the Béal an Daingin Bridge. Gorumna properly consists of three individual islands in close proximity, Lettermullen, Teeranea and Lettermore. It is mostly underlain by intrusive Devonian-aged Galway Granite that formed from crustal melting as a result of the Caledonian Orogeny in the late Silurian.

Gurteen Bay is a pretty natural cove located near Roundstone. Magnificent, one appreciates its fine sandy beach, as well as its proximity to a second bay: Dogs Bay. To do to enjoy the sea. The water here is crystal clear and it's used for swimming and other water based activities including windsurfing and kitesurfing. Dogs Bay and Gurteen Bay make up one of the finest stretches of coastline in Connemara with uncompromising views of Errisbeg and the surrounding countryside.

Inchagoill Island, located midway between Cong and Oughterard, is one of the largest of many wooded islets along Lough Corrib. It has spectacular views of the Maumturk range, Joyce Country and the mountains of Connemara. There also stands the ruins of two ancient churches, both of the small Irish type but of far different styles and dates.

The small island of Inishnee in Roundstone Bay is connected to the mainland by a narrow bridge and is a wonderfully unique destination. The island is equipped with a lighthouse. As of 2011, it had a population of 43.

Inishbofin is a small island off the coast of Connemara, which was home to “Dún Gráinne”, the remains of a fort used by the legendary Pirate Queen, Grace O'Malley. It's some 5.5 km long by 3 km wide and has a population of 175. It's low-lying and treeless, with heathland sprayed by the sea. It is a great tourist destination and it attracts a lot of tourists to enjoy the beauty of this area.

Inishark sometimes called Shark Island, is a small island neighbouring the larger Inishbofin in County Galway, Ireland. Inishark is situated northeast of Shark Head, north of Black Rock. The island was occupied for thousands of years and has many Bronze Age sites such as burial grounds and monuments. The island is now uninhabited; the last 23 inhabitants of this former isolated fishing and farming community were evacuated on the 20th of October 1960.

Inishbofin is a small island off the coast of Connemara, County Galway, Ireland. The island is 5.7km by 4km. The main activities on the island today are tourism, farming and fishing. The island is a breeding area for many species of birds. Inishbofin is home to “Dún Gráinne”, the remains of a fort used by the legendary Pirate Queen, Grace O’Malley.

Inishmaan is the middle of the three main Aran Islands in Galway Bay on the west coast of Ireland. It is part of County Galway in the province of Connacht. Inishmaan has a population of about 183, making it the smallest of the Aran Islands in terms of population. It is one of the most important strongholds of traditional Irish culture. The island is predominantly Irish-speaking and part of the Gaeltacht, though all inhabitants have knowledge of English.

Discover the ancient form of falconry at the oldest established Falconry School in Ireland - flying hawks is an experience of a lifetime.The school is home to the largest and most diverse collection of Harris's hawks. It gives you the chance to fly our wonderful Hawks around the grounds of Ashford Castle during a one-hour Private Hawk Walk.

Kilmacduagh Abbey is a 7th century Irish monastery located near Gort, County Galway. Half in ruins, the building has an exceptional charm, worthy of the greatest remains in Ireland. It was founded by Saint Colman, son of Duagh in the 7th century, on land given him by his cousin King Guaire Aidne mac Colmáin of Connacht. This site was of such importance in medieval times that it became the centre of a new diocese, or Bishop's seat, the Diocese of Kilmacduagh, in the 12th century.