Not to miss

Spanish Arch

Near the river, east of Wolfe Tone Bridge, the Spanish Arch (1584) appears to have been an extension of the old city walls through which ships unloaded their goods - often wine and brandy - from Spain. Adjacent to the arch, the new Galway City Museum opened in June 2006, displaying documents, photographs and examples of medieval stonework, as well as prized temporary exhibitions.

A 1651 drawing of Galway clearly shows its extensive city walls. But since the visits of Cromwell in 1652 and William of Orange in 1691, and the subsequent centuries of neglect, the walls have almost completely disappeared. Another surviving portion - turret and all - has been fully incorporated into the design of the city centre's modern shopping mall, Eyre Square Centre.

Nora Barnacle House

Nora Barnacle (1884-1951), companion and, later, wife to James Joyce, lived in this nondescript little house for several years. The great author visited his future wife here on many occasions, beginning in 1909 and again several times during the summer of 1912. The humble abode is now a museum dedicated to the couple.

Collegiate Church of St Nicholas of Myra

This Protestant church, easily Galway's most important monument, is Ireland's largest medieval parish church still in use. It's a beauty, with a curious pyramidal spire and some intriguing lore. The structure dates to 1320, and although it has been rebuilt and enlarged over the centuries, much of the original form has been retained.

After Cromwell's victory, the church suffered the indignity of being used as a stable. Much harm was done - look for the damaged stonework - but at least it survived; 14 other Galway churches were razed to the ground.

The church has numerous finely worked stone tombs and memorials. The two church bells date from 1590 and 1630. Parts of the floor are paved with gravestones from the 16th to 18th centuries, and the Lynch Aisle holds the tombs of the powerful Lynch family. A large block tomb in one corner is said to be the grave of James Lynch, a mayor of Galway in the late 15th century who condemned his son, Walter, to death for killing a young Spanish visitor. As the tale goes, none of the townsfolk would act as executioner and the mayor was so dedicated to upholding justice that he personally acted as hangman, after which he went into seclusion. Outside on Market St, north of the church, is a stone plaque on the Lynch Memorial Window, complete with skull and crossbones beneath it, which relates this legend and claims to be the spot where the gallows stood.