The West — Sightseeing Tours

Photos: Sightseeing tours of The West include (from left, top) guided walks around Galway with local guide, Conor Riordan of Legend Tours; horse-drawn carriage tours in Galway City; (from left, middle) open-top bus tours of Galway; and walking tours of Westport with guide Bronach Joyce; and (from left, bottom) Gerry Collins leads a group on a "Quiet Man Walking Tour"of Cong, Co. Mayo and tour members play a scene from the movie afterwards in the "Quiet Man" Cottage.

One of the best ways to see the highlights of Galway City or the surrounding areas is to take a guided tour or boat cruise. Here is a selection of tours to get you started on your sightseeing. Just click the categories of your choice:

City & Town Walking & Bus & Horse Cart Tours
Connemara Bus Tours
Aran Islands
Boat Cruises
Tours from Galway to Co. Clare

City & Town Walking & Bus & Horse Cart Tours

Galway City Bus Tours — See more than a dozen highlights of Galway City with a narrated commentary on board a double-decker bus. 1 hr. Daily, 10am to 4:30pm, usually on the hour or half-hour. Departures from Forster St., opposite the Galway Tourist Office. Reservations not needed; pay on the bus or at the Galway Tourist Office. Contact: Galway Sightseeing Tour, Healy Tours, tel. 091-524728, Web site: www.healytours.ie; O'Neachtain Tours, tel. 091-553188, Web site: www.ONtours.biz; or The Old Galway Tour, Lally Tours, tel. 091-562905, Web site: www.lallytours.com.

Galway Walking Tours – Legend Tours provides 1.5-hour walking tours of Galway City with a historical slant including the city’s darker days.  Conducted by local historians, Conor Riordan or Keith Finneran, the walks start at the Galway Tourist Office on Forster Street, and proceed to Eyre Square, originally known as “The Green,” at the east gate of the then-medieval town.  The tours continue to about a dozen city landmarks including the Old Town walls, Lynch’s Castle, Spanish Arch, Forthill cemetery, Lynch Memorial Window, and more.  April – September, Monday-Saturday at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.  Tickets can be booked online or at the tourist office in advance. Information: Legend Tours, tel. 087-778-2887 or web site: www.legendtours.ie

Westport Walking Tours – Explore the highlights of Westport Town with a local guide. The tour includes history and folklore including a commentary about Grace O’Malley, the local pirate queen of the 16th century, and a visit to the Holy Trinity Church, built in 1868 and noted for its hammer roof, pencil spire, alabaster pulpit, decorative murals and mosaics, and a unique “rose window.” Tours assemble at the Clock at the top of Bridge Street, departing Tuesday and Thursday evenings, July and August at 8 p.m, and at other times by appointment.  For more information and reservations, contact Bronach Joyce, Kings Hill, Westport, Co. Mayo (tel. 087-689-0711), email: bronachjoyce@eircom.net

Quiet Man Walking Tours – This walking tour of Cong, Co. Mayo, has a distinctive theme other than the village itself – it is focused on the 1952 cinema classic, “The Quiet Man,” starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara.  Conducted by Gerry Collins, a self-styled local expert on the film, the tour re-visits the streets and buildings pictured in the film including the bridge over the River Corrib, Cohan’s Pub and the local church. All tours end at the Quiet Man Cottage, a replica of a simple white-washing dwelling used in the film with similar furnishings and props. Tour members are then randomly selected by Gerry to wear hats or costumes identical to the outfits worn by the characters of the film, and a quick five-minute comic scene is acted out at Gerry’s direction. It’s a clever finale that produces lots of laughs and many Kodak moments. 40-60 mins. July-August daily at noon and 2:30 p.m.; rest of year, schedule varies, phone in advance. Departs from Quiet Man Cottage, Cong, Co. Mayo, tel. 094-954-6089. Web site: www.quietman-cong.com

Horse Cart Tours - In good weather, a favorite way to see Galway City is via horse-drawn open carriages. Hours are 10 a.m. to evening and duration depends on requests. Carriages line up on the north side of Eyre Square next to the banners of the 14 Tribes. No reservataions needed, first-come, first-served.

Connemara Bus Tours

Connemara Tours — Travel around the beautiful Connemara region via guided bus tour. Highlights include Moycullen, Oughterard, Lough Corrib, Inagh Valley, Maam Cross, Kylemore Abbey, Clifden, Recess, Spiddal and Galway Bay. 7 hrs. Daily at 9:30 a.m. or 10 a.m. Tours depart daily year-round from Galway and Salthill Tourist Offices. Book online or buy tickets in advance at Galway or Salthill Tourist Offices or on the day from bus driver. Contact: Lally Tours, tel. 091-562905, web site: www.lallytours.com; Healy Tours, tel. 091-770066, web site: www.healytours.ie; O’Neachtain Tours, tel. 091-553188, web site: www.ONtours.biz; and, in the summer only, contact Bus Eireann, Bus/Rail Station, Galway, tel. 091-562000. Web site: www.buseireann.ie Another company offers a similar itinerary, without the Spiddal and Galway Bay section, and instead going to Cong, Lough Nafooey and Leenane – Galway Tour Company, tel. 091-566566, web site: www.galwaytourcompany.com.

Aran Islands

Aran Islands Boat Trips — Almost everyone who has an extra day in Galway wants to go out to the Aran Islands. Although not technically a sightseeing cruise, a boat trip to the islands is a most enjoyable activity and there is lots to do when you reach the islands (see my "Ireland Guide" and click The West - A-1 Attractions - Aran Islands for full details). For information, contact: Island Ferries, tel. 091-568903, web site: www.aranislandferries.com or Aran Direct, tel. 091-566535, web site: www.arandirect.com.  Both companies, which have desks at Galway and Salthill tourist offices, travel from Rossaveal (about 45 minutes west of Galway City) and also provide bus service from Galway to Rossaveal. Note: As of summer, 2008, Aran Direct is operating a catamaran service from Galway City to Inishmore, with a travel time of less than 60 minutes.
In addition, a seasonal service (April or May to September or October) to the islands from Doolin, Co. Clare, is provided by Doolin Ferries, Doolin Pier, Co. Clare (tel. 065-707-4455); web site: www.doolinferries.com; Doolin Ferry (tel. 065-707-5555; web site: www.doolinferry.com; and to Inis Oirr by Moher Cruises (tel. 065-707-5949; web site: www.cliffs-of-moher-cruises.com

Aran Islands Flights — Without a doubt, flying is the fastest way to get to the three Aran Islands - a trip of just 10 minutes. Aer Arann operates an air taxi service to the islands every hour during peak season, and on a reduced schedule during the rest of the year. Flights depart from Connemara Regional Airport at Inverin (bus service from Galway is available). Contact: Aer Arann, Connemara Regional Airport, Inverin, Co. Galway, tel. 091-593034, Web site: www.aerarannislands.ie

Boat Cruises

Corrib River & Lake Cruise — Relax and enjoy a scenic cruise with live commentary along the River Corrib from Galway City northward on board the 157-passenger "Corrib Princess." Route passes Terryland Castle, Jordan Island, Menlo Castle, Dangan House, University College and Galway Cathedral. The boat has two decks, full bar service, tea/coffee bar, and an observation/sun deck. 90 mins. May-Sept., daily, schedule varies. Departs from the pier at Woodquay, Galway. Contact: Corrib Tours, Furbo Hill, Furbo, Co. Galway, tel. 091-592447. Web site: www.corribprincess.ie

Connemara Cruise — Plan a trip on board the "Connemara Lady" to cruise the waters of Killary Harbour, Ireland's only natural fjord, a 9-mile stretch of sheltered water in northwest Connemara between Galway and Mayo. This luxury catamaran is a 132-passenger two-deck vessel. In addition to the scenery, it follows a route that passes wildlife habitats where seals, otters, dolphins and seabirds come into view. 90 mins. Apr.-Oct. daily at 10:30am, 12:30pm, 2:30pm, and 4:30pm. Contact: Sea-Cruise Connemara, 56c Bowling Green, Galway, tel. 091-566736. Web site: www.killarycruises.com.

Lough Corrib Cruise — Cruise Lough Corrib, one of Ireland's largest lakes, between Oughterard, 17 miles west of Galway, and Cong, Co. Mayo, home of Ashford Castle. This 100-passenger boat has a sun deck and indoor seating. The route includes a stop for a guided tour at Inchagoil Island, one of 365 islands in Lough Corrib, containing a 5th century church attributed to St. Patrick and a 12th century Augustian church. 90 mins. Daily year-round from Cong; and daily May-Oct. from Oughterard; schedules vary. One hour trips without stopping at the island are also available. Contact: Corrib Cruises, Cong, Co. Mayo, tel. 092-46029 or Oughterard, Co. Galway, tel. 091-552808. Web site: www.corribcruises.com. 

Tours from Galway to Co. Clare

Cliffs of Moher Tour & The Burren (Year-round) — Following the scenic route from Galway City south along Galway Bay, this guided tour covers the following: Oranmore, Clarinbridge, Kilcolgan, Dun Guaire Castle, Kinvara, Ballyvaughan, Aillwee Caves, Poulnabrone Dolmen, Kilfenora, Cliffs of Moher, Doolin, Lisdoonvarna, Fanore and Blackhead. 7 hrs. Daily year-round at 9:45am or 10am. Departs from Salthill Tourist Office or Galway Tourist Office. Book online or tickets can be purchased from Galway or Salthill Tourist Office or on the bus. Contact: Lally Tours, tel. 091-562905, web site: www.lallytours.com; Healy Tours, tel. 091-770066, web site: www.healytours.ie; O’Neachtain Tours, tel. 091-553188, web site: www.ONtours.biz; and Galway Tour Company, tel. 091-566566, web site: www.galwaytourcompany.com. And, in the summer only, contact Bus Eireann, Bus/Rail Station, Galway, tel. 091-562000. Web site: www.buseireann.ie. 

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