The 10 Most Beautiful Buildings in Galway...

Galway is beautiful, culturally and naturally. There is no shortage of gorgeous spots to explore, or stick your Instagram filters all over. Here are ten of the best.

View All Trips

Kylemore Abbey

Building

This sublime Connemara estate-turned-Benedictine Abbey is just over 100 years old, though it feels a lot older. It was the height of luxury at the time of its construction and in a relatively quiet, isolated corner of Ireland. A local legend about the Abbey includes a mythical white horse that shows up at the shores of the lake every seven years. According to some, the next appearance is expected in 2018.

Dún Aonghasa

Building, Ruins

Almost hanging over a 100-metre cliff edge on Inishmore, one of the Aran Islands, Dún Aonghasa is thought to be at least 2000 years old. It consists of four concentric circles, their walls sometimes as much as 4 metres thick. Yet for all its obvious defensive might, the fort is thought to have been largely ceremonial. This stark, rural spot looks like it belongs in Game of Thrones.

The Fisheries Watchtower Museum

Museum

An oddly defiant building perched in a seemingly precarious position overlooking the Corrib, the Fisheries Watchtower originally monitored fish stocks and illegal fishing in the area. It boasts gorgeous views of the surrounding waterways. It’s now a tiny but fascinating museum, and still looks distinctly out of place perched on its outlook.

St Nicholas Collegiate Church

Church

A 14th century church near the banks of the Corrib in the heart of Galway city, the name ‘St Nicholas’ is a reference to the Patron Saint of children (modern day Santa Claus). The external walls of St Nicholas contain the unlikely combination of two mermaids, a lion, a dragon, gargoyles and a number of human heads.

GMIT Library

Library, School

A rare example of Galway doing modern buildings in a genuinely memorable way, the library at GMIT sits at the landward end of Galway Bay. It reflects the sails out in the bay, and is one of the first symbols of the city on the road in from Dublin.

Lynch's Castle

Shop

Lynch’s Castle might have become a bank, but its bizarre fortified exterior is one of Galway’s most memorable sites. It’s complete with gargoyles, and was the scene of an infamous hanging: Mayor James Lynch was forced to hang his own son after he murdered a visiting Spaniard who winked at his girlfriend.

Lynch’s Castle, Shop Street, Galway, Ireland

Lynch’s Castle| © William Cassidy/ Flickr

The Spanish Arch

Historical Landmark

This 16th-century symbol of Galway is now a favourite place for a drink, and to watch kayakers ride the waves as the Corrib makes its way out to sea. The Spanish Arch was built to protect the city’s quays from invasion, and now stands as a stark, chunky reminder of the city’s long history.

Glengowla Mines

A ‘show mine’ that plays tribute to the days of mining in Connemara, West Galway, a trip to Glengowla brings you below ground to explore the dangerous extraction methods of 19th-century silver and lead mining. As well as the roughshod mining buildings and cave below, Glengowla is now home to an open farm, which is popular with local families.

Glengowla Lodge, Glengowla East, Oughterard, Co. Galway, Ireland, +353 91552021
A post shared by Ryan Booterbaugh (@booter_fett) on May 14, 2016 at 1:13pm PDT

Ashford Castle

Asford Castle is famous as the site of Pierce Brosnan’s wedding to Keely Shay Smith. It’s in the tiny, rustic village of Cong, on the border between Galway and Mayo, and dates from the 13th century. Now, it is now one of Ireland’s most high-end hotels. Expect to shell out a small fortune to stay here, but the gorgeous grounds are well worth a stroll around, and the non-rich and famous can probably stretch to a coffee for a glance at the decadent interior.

Ashford Castle Estate, Leaf Island, Cong, County Galway, Ireland +353 949546003

Ashford Castle| © John Menard/ Flickr

Galway Cathedral

Cathedral, Building

Said to be the most modern stone cathedral in Europe, Galway Cathedral is not so much a classical feature of the city as a monstrous architectural mishmash that intrigues with its new-does-old novelty. It also contains a surreal tribute to John F Kennedy.

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

map of volcanic iceland trip destination points

See Our Culture Trips

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.