Galway City Museum is an intriguing complex with collections spanning centuries of regional history. Its relics date back to prehistory and tell the story of wars and local culture. Enter the museum to watch the multimedia presentation and peruse the exhibitions that bring Galway’s past to life.
Look through the archeological finds in the Routes to the Past permanent exhibit on the ground floor. It covers the prehistoric time of Galway, while the medieval era is covered in the Galway Within the Walls section. Find out about the effects of the Great War on the region. Check the temporary exhibits that are offered during your Galway vacation.
Among the museum’s highlights is the Civic Sword, which dates back to the early 1600s. See the traditional brown-sailed Galway hooker boat that was made for the museum. Inspect the 18th-century Great Mace silverwork that the Mayor of Galway, Edward Eyre, gifted the town.
Parts of the museum are dedicated to art, such as the section of rotating works from local artists. Bring your kids to one of the workshops that teach them how to be creative. Attend talks and film screenings on themes such as the Irish Gaelic language.
Relax with refreshments and snacks at The Kitchen café on the ground floor. From here, you can see the Spanish Arch, which is a remaining part of the 16th-century city walls. Learn about this preserved section of wall that relates to Ireland’s close trade relations with Spain.
The museum was founded in 2006 and contains about 1,000 objects Visit the site between morning and late afternoon except Mondays, when it is closed. It opens a bit later on Sundays. Admission to the museum is free of charge, but donations are encouraged.
Galway City Museum is in the central part of the city, where the River Corrib opens into the bay. It is beside the Spanish Arch in the dock area overlooking the water. Visit nearby landmarks including South Park, Fr. Burke Park and Galway Harbour.
