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Galway Entertainment and Festivals
Salthill Festival – In early July features an open-air concert each evening.
There is also open-air theatre and literary events. This year featured a
spectacular air show with aircraft from the US, Germany and Irish Air Corps.
Galway Arts Festival - 18 - 30 July
One of Europe's most inventive vibrant and colourful events the festival
features a substantial and diverse line up of theatre, street spectacle, music,
visual arts, literary and children's events. Highlights include Irish and
international theatre and an explosive night time parade featuring a
collaboration between Galway's own street theatre gurus, Macnas, and a major
European partner.
Web Site:
http://www.galwayartsfestival.ie
Galway Races - 31 July - Aug 6
The high point of the summer is the 7 day festival of the Galway Races at the
end of July each year in the famous Ballybrit race course. The meet is probably
the largest and most popular horse racing event in the country with top class
racing in a top class fields. The excellent facilities at the racecourse
including good catering and extensive car parking ensure huge crowds as every
year the Galway Races gets more popular.
Connemara Pony Show -
Aug 17
The Connemara pony is a strong sturdy animal specially bred to suit the rocky
uneven ground. The show is a mecca for their breeders who come from all over the
world.
Galway Oyster Festival - 23 - 26 Sept
Held every year to celebrate Galway's rich annual oyster harvest. Oysters are
central to the event and are the perfect partner to wonderful creamy Guinness.
Musicians and singers flock to the festival and with free concerts, street
theatre and parades, as well as superb banquets, fun is the name of the game.
Web Site:
http://www.galwayoysterfest.com
Greyhound racing
For a great night out. The Greyhound Track is situated in College Road, within
walking distance of the city centre. Race meetings are held every Tuesday and
Friday night, and every night during the Annual Galway Race Festival week.
Galway Historical and Cultural Interests
The Collegiate Church of St Nicholas built in 1320St. and tradition has it that
Columbus called to pray there before continuing on his epic voyage to America.
It is the largest Medieval Parish Church in Ireland. Christopher Columbus
worshipped here before crossing the Atlantic in 1492. The church is still in use
and still retains the chancel and nave from that time. Tombstones within the
church provide a fascinating record of the lives and deaths of people from the
12th – 20th centuries
Lynch's Castle
Lynch's Castle dating back to 1329, is an imposing building, with a gargoyle,
carved coat of arms and stone mullioned windows. An impressive medieval Parish
Church in Ireland. Christopher Columbus worshipped here before crossing the
Atlantic in 1492. The church is still in use and still retains the chancel and
nave from that time. Tombstones within the church provide a fascinating record
of the lives and deaths of people from the 12th – 20th centuries. An
impressive medieval structure in the centre of the main street and today is now
the home of the Allied Irish Bank. Part of the medieval city walls, built to
protect the Norman invaders from the native Irish, can be seen within our modern
shopping complexes – a major section of the Galway medieval town wall, built in
the 13th century, runs through the Eyre Square Shopping Centre.
The Lynch Memorial
Near St. Nicholas' church, is a black marble stone over a built-up Gothic
doorway. It commemorates the stern and unbending justice of Mayor Lynch, who
reputedly tried and hung his own son. Is this where the word "lynching" comes
from.
Nora Barnacle
Wife of the famous novelist, James Joyce, lived in a little house at no 8,
Bowling Green, under the shadow of St. Nicholas' church, where Joyce visited
regularly and wrote poems and articles about the city and its people.
Humanity Dick.
The building, now well known as Tigh Neachtain pub, was once the town house of
Richard Martin, a notorious duelist in the 18th century. His parliamentary
agitation brought in new anti-cruelty legislation which led to the founding of
the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Hence his nickname.
Spanish Arch
One of Galway's most historic landmarks and consists of 2 stout arches. A 16th
century map shows this area as a fort and the dock area was then outside the
city walls. At the front is the old Fishmarket, where the Claddagh women used to
sell the fish catches. The Spanish Arch on the banks of the river Corrib, so
named because of Galway's trading with Spain, was built in 1854. The arch leads
to the Long Walk where in past times, Galway's gentry strolled.
Cathedral of Our Lady (Check the date)
Assumed into Heaven and St. Nicholas stands on the site of the old Galway Once a
fishing seafront on the western bank opposite the Spanish Arch. The small
thatched homes are now gone, but the black hulls of the fishing boats, Galway
Hookers and Pucans still remain as do the white swans of the Claddagh. Across
the road in the Dominican Church, is the wonderful 17th century wooden statue
known as "Our Lady of Galway". The world famous Claddagh ring owes its origin to
this area of Galway
Kirwan's Lane
Just off Quay Street is one of Galway's last remaining late medieval lanes. .
National University of Galway (NUIG)
The University, a stately Victorian Quadrangle, built in 1816, now plays a very
important part in the city's social, business and artistic life. Today 6000
students attend the university, studying arts, science and business courses at
both under and post-graduate level. |
