6. Tie a ribbon on Wolfe Tone Bridge. | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

​9 Things To Do In Galway, Ireland

A city that's so much more than the song.

293
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f1/Galway_-_Claddagh_Quay_%288112577829%29.jpg
Wikimedia Commons

In This Article:

Galway, Ireland is one of my favorite places in the world. Not too long after planning my trip there, Ed Sheeran released "Galway Girl." The song definitely an expression of the people there, but this small city has so much more depth. Here's what you can do in the "City of the Tribes": Galway.


1. Visit the Claddagh Ring Museum.

Europe's smallest museum is right in Old City Galway. It's the original makers of the Claddagh Ring. The Claddagh is named after Galway's neighboring town and represents love, friendship, and loyalty. The Claddagh has been worn for hundreds of years, and you can visit the original shop.

2. Walk through Eyre Square.

Eyre Square sits in the middle of Galway. It's an adorable little park with statues and art. Along the street, the flags of the original tribes of Galway are on display. Each of these tribes had a hand in running the city.

3. Visit O'Connell's Pub.

This is the very pub that Ed Sheeran filmed his famous music video, "Galway Girl," in. You can go in and even meet the bartender featured in the video.

4. Meet Oscar Wilde.

...or a statue of him. There's a statue of the famous writer on William Street sitting and patiently waiting for you.

5. Visit the Spanish Arch.

Many people end up walking through the Spanish Arch while they search for it. I know I did, twice! This archway marked the port that Spanish boats would travel through to dock in Galway. The Spanish did a lot of trading with the city of Galway. Some even settled in the city and had their own families. Even today, some of the citizens of Galway can trace their roots to these Spanish merchants.

6. Tie a ribbon on Wolfe Tone Bridge.

This bridge crosses the River Corrib and has a steel railing that runs along the sidewalk. Many tourists tie ribbons to the bars as a sign of... well, no one really knows. It's meant to give the same aesthetic effect as bridges with locks on them to represent love. It's just your way to leave your mark on Galway.

7. Go to the beach.

Yes, Ireland does have beaches. Just across Wolfe Tone Bridge in Claddagh, there is a park and beach with an incredible view of the North Atlantic Ocean. On the pathway to the sand, there's a memorial up honoring those who left Ireland during the Potato Famine. For many Irish who were emigrating, this was the last site they saw of their country.

8. Walk down Quay Street.

A part of the original city, Quay Street has so much culture, shopping, and music. It's always filled with happy tourists, college students, and Galwegians. You can always find musicians playing and people talking about the city's rich history.

9. Meet some of the most kind and genuine people on Earth.

The people of Galway are not only proud of their city, but happy to share it with others. Their welcoming attitude adds so much to the beautiful atmosphere. Everyone there is happy to help and share their stories.

Galway is more than a song; it's a beautiful place with beautiful people. It's easily my favorite city in the world. It's no wonder it's the Cultural Capital of Ireland.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Relationships

20 Things You Forgot To Thank Your Mom For

Moms are super heroes dressed in yesterday's clothing and they deserve an award for that.

784
family
Facebook

Dear Mom,

You took care of me and my brothers our entire lives and you still continue to! I will not be able to truly grasp all of the hard work that you put into this family until I create my own one day. But, I know that there are plenty of times I forgot to give you a simple thank you or an appreciative smile. I thank you for everything that you have done for me and will continue to do for me. Here are some examples of those times where you had my back and I forgot to pat your back for saving me:

Keep Reading...Show less
pumpkin
Holytaco.com

College is hard. As people ages 18-22, we’re just trying to figure out what we’re doing with our lives, our careers, our eating habits, exercise routines, sleep patterns, and other necessities for adult life. We definitely don’t take proper care of ourselves; it’s basically impossible when we have essays, tests and readings due and somehow we’re supposed to eat right, exercise and sleep. We’re doomed to get sick. I have zero experience in science but when I get sick there are certain things I do to make myself better.

Keep Reading...Show less
Bob's Burgers
Hyannishyball

First of all, there is no shortage of fun when you're together.

And you often find yourselves entertaining each others terrible ideas.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

The Unwritten Rules Of "Talking"

What is "talking?" How does one "talk?"

8927
girl holding phone
NYCPRGIRLS

Now that it seems “talking” is the new way to date, and will stay that way until another idiotic term is used to describe the people who can’t settle down and just date someone, I feel as if it’s time to go over the unwritten rules of “talking.”

Rule 1. Having feeling without feeling.

Keep Reading...Show less
The Stages of Having FOMO in College
iamthatgirl.com

Are you one of those people that gets super upset when you miss out on anything? Well, you may have FOMO, or fear of missing out. In college it’s not hard to experience FOMO every once in a while. You just love doing everything and anything, so hen you have to miss out on something it's the worst possible thing in your mind. Whether you’re sick, have to work, or have so much work to do you could cry – FOMO will hit you hard in college.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments