Galway city’s main sights are all within a short walk of each other: Eyre Square, St Nicholas’ Church, the Spanish Arch and its museum, the Long Walk and Claddagh, the cathedral on the Corrib, and the Salthill Promenade out along the bay.
This page names six, each with its own link. For castles see our Galway castles page; for guided walks see our walking tours page.
Last checked: November 2026. Facts come from Galway Tourism and the Eyre Square, cathedral and museum pages. We don’t print prices or opening times: check each place’s own page before you go.
Want a guided route past these? Our Galway walking tours page links the city walks and food tours.
- What is Eyre Square?
- How old is St Nicholas' Collegiate Church?
- What is the Spanish Arch?
- What is the Long Walk in Galway?
- What is Galway Cathedral?
- How long is the Salthill Promenade?
What is Eyre Square?
Eyre Square takes its name from Mayor Edward Eyre, who gave the land to the city in 1710. Officially it is the John F. Kennedy Memorial Park; a bust of Kennedy marks where he spoke to about 100,000 people in 1963.
Look for the 1627 doorway of the Browne family mansion and the 1984 Quincentennial fountain, shaped like a Galway hooker.
Eyre Square: Eyre Square on Galway Tourism. Our guide: Galway walking tours.
How old is St Nicholas' Collegiate Church?
The earliest parts of the church date to 1320. Tradition says Christopher Columbus prayed here in 1477, but that is a story, not a documented fact.
It stands in the old town just off Shop Street and the Latin Quarter.
St Nicholas' Collegiate Church: St Nicholas' Collegiate Church on Galway Tourism. Our guide: Top 10 things to do in Galway.
What is the Spanish Arch?
The Spanish Arch was built in 1584 as an extension of the town wall, where soldiers kept watch over the quays. It was first called Ceann an Bhalla, the head of the wall; the name ‘Spanish’ likely recalls the trade with Spain.
Galway City Museum stands about 50 yards behind it. Its permanent exhibition opened in April 2007.
Spanish Arch and Galway City Museum: Galway City Museum. Our guide: Spanish Arch on Galway Tourism.
What is the Long Walk in Galway?
The Long Walk is the row of coloured houses on the quay beside the Spanish Arch, looking across the Claddagh basin where the River Corrib meets Galway Bay.
Our own visitor’s guide covers its history and the best spot for photos.
The Long Walk and the Claddagh: Our visitor's guide to the Long Walk.
What is Galway Cathedral?
Galway Cathedral was consecrated in 1965 on the site of the former city jail. It was designed by the Dublin architect J.J. Robinson with Bishop Michael Browne.
It has an octagonal dome 145 feet high and a large crucifixion mosaic behind the altar.
Galway Cathedral: Galway Cathedral official site. Our guide: Galway Cathedral on Galway Tourism.
How long is the Salthill Promenade?
Galway Tourism describes the promenade as over 3 km long, running from the Claddagh to the Blackrock Diving Tower, about a 30-minute walk from the city centre.
The diving tower began in 1885 as a metal-framed springboard; the present tower dates from the 1950s. Walkers ‘kick the wall’ at the far end, a local tradition.
Salthill Promenade: Salthill Promenade on Galway Tourism. Our guide: Things to do in Galway.