Galway City has lately been a European Capital of Culture. But, Galway City has always been a County seat, the Capital of Connacht, and the gateway to the Connemara Gaeltacht. In fact, once you cross the River Corrib, you’re officially in Connemara.
Galway, Galvia, or Gaillimh as Gaeilge – do you know how it gets its names? Do you know why it’s also the ‘City of the Tribes’? Who were the ‘Tribes of Galway’? If any of these questions strike an inquisitive chord, then consider taking our FREE Walking Tours of the City and environs.
Last year, in the midst of the worldwide Covid pandemic, Galway Tour Guides’ Association launched the inaugural Galway Walking Festival, offering FREE walks around Galway City and beyond, with our fully accredited Tour Guides, exploring various aspects of Galway culture, contemporary and historic. A walk for every taste if you like.
This initiative, supported by Galway City Council, gained very positive feedback and lauds from the Galway public and visitors alike.
From tomorrow April 15 to 24 next, Galway Tour Guides’ Association is pleased to have a second FREE Walking Festival, with 30 tours by 15 registered Guides on offer.
‘Getting Galway Going’ is the slogan, as the City returns to a new ‘normal’. There are walks covering the modern and historical narratives of our City: from the 14 Tribes, the gruesome past, Literature and Film, the Revolutionary 1916 – 23 period, Art and Graffitti, the Italian Connection, The Claddagh and Salthill – and more! These tours are in English, but the option for French, Italian, German and Irish language ones are available, as many of our guides are multilingual.
To return to my original question: Galway is believed to get its name from Galvia or Gaillimh, the daughter of a local Chieftain, who was drowned when she fell from a rock, off the western bank of the River Corrib. The River Corrib itself is the fastest flowing river in Europe in an urban setting, while Lough Corrib is the largest lake in the Republic of Ireland.
Indeed, there are many more ‘records’ held in Galway – the oldest Church still serving (St Nicholas Collegiate Church ), the oldest building still being used commercially (Lynch’s Castle ), the largest uprising outside of Dublin in 1916, the County with the most All-Irelands in Football after GAA giants Kerry and Dublin.
So, if you are curious to learn the story of that Claddagh Ring you’ve been wearing or where the Galway townhouses of Lady Gregory and ‘Humanity Dick’ Martyn are, know the historic Claddagh, or the midpoint of the Wild Atlantic Way, Salthill (it’s straight opposite Killoran’s Bar in fact ), then check out our Festival website: www.galwaywalkingfestival.ie and book your FREE tour (or show up at time of departure ).
This initiative is funded by Galway City Council.
Friday, 15 th April All walks start in Eyre Square unless mentioned
10 AM Liam Silke, Town Cryer Opening of Festival
12 noon Gabrielle Campbell The 14 Tribes
2 PM Jim Ward Galway 1916 -23 Revolutionary period
Saturday, 16 th April
10 AM Kathleen Reid Heritage
12 noon Patrizia Interlandi Italians in Galway
7 PM Brendan Hynes Evening Walk
Sunday 17 th April
10 AM Liam Silke Heritage
12 noon Gabrielle Campbell The 14 Tribes
2 PM Jim Ward Salthill Walk Salthill Atlantaquarium
Monday, 18 th April
10 AM Michael Reaney Heritage
12 noon Karen O’Leary Wonderful Walls Hughes Opticians, Woodquay
2 PM Ann Burke Architecture
Tuesday, 19 th April
10 AM Derek Spillane Heritage
12 noon James Walsh The Claddagh Galway City Museum
2 PM Billy Murray Literature and Movies
Wednesday 20 th April
10 AM Ger Considine Heritage
12 noon Ann Burke Architecture
2 PM Patrizia Interlandi Italian connection
Thursday, 21 st April
10 AM Billy Murray Literature and Movies
12 noon James Walsh The Claddagh Galway City Museum
2 PM Andrea Lippert Wisdom & Stories – A Woodland Walk, Coole Park
Friday 22 nd April
10 AM Kathleen Reid Heritage
12 noon Derek Spillane Heritage
7 PM Brendan Hynes Evening walk
Saturday, 23 rd April
10 AM Brendan Hynes University walk NUI, Galway
12 noon Karen O’Leary Wonderful Walls Hughes Opticians, Woodquay
2 PM Ger Considine Heritage
Sunday 24 th April
10 AM Michael Reaney Heritage
12 noon Andrea Lippert Wisdom & Stories – A Woodland Walk, Coole Park
2 PM Liam Silke Town Cryer, Closing of Festival
*The Galway Tour Guides Association is a collective of Fáilte Ireland / Irish Tourist Board accredited tour guides. Our professional accredited tour guides are in Galway City and across the Wild Atlantic Way, Co. Clare, Co. Galway and Co. Mayo.
To see our Guides’ profiles, please check the website www.galwaytourguides.com
