Galway History Walking tour with a Local Guide
Recommended by 93% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Galway, Ireland
- 1 hour 55 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Make the most of your time in Galway on this private walking tour. Visit all the top sites in the city, and hear local stories you would never get in a guide book. Since this is a private tour, you can customize it according to your group’s interests. Some places you may see are Galway Cathedral, Lynch's Castle, the Latin Quarter, and more.
- Hear tales that only the locals know about
- Join a tour of St. Nicholas Church (included)
- Visit some lesser-known spots in Galway that most travelers miss
- Go at your own pace on this private tour
What's Included
- A Voucher towards Admission to St Nicholas Church (for 10am Tours only!)
- Easily adapted Walking tour to suit guest wishes.
- Small guest groups.
- Guided by professional Irish Tour Guide
- Coffee and/or TeaMeals or gratuities
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Private transportationTransportation to and from the meeting point .
- Accomodation
- Excess BaggagePersonal Expenses
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- The HardimanEyre Square, Galway, H91 NFD2, Ireland
Go to the FRONT ENTRANCE of the Hardiman Hotel, 14/15 EYRE Square, Galway and meet Tour Guide with High-Vis jacket and official ID Badge there.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
1
The Hardiman
7 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
John Fitzgerald Kennedy Memorial
7 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
3
Williamsgate Street
6 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Franciscan Church (Pass By)
4
Galway Courthouse
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
5
Galway Cathedral
8 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Bowling Green (Pass By)
6
Lynch's Castle
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
7
Market Street
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
8
Saint Nicholas' Collegiate Church
8 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
9
The Lynch Memorial
8 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
10
Galway's Latin Quarter
12 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
11
Druid Theatre
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
12
The Spanish Arch
7 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
13
Hall of the Red Earl
7 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
St Augustine's Catholic Parish (Pass By)
14
An Taibhdhearc
3 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
15
Gothic and Tudor Revival-style former cathedral - Abbeygate Street Lower
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Most travelers can participate
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled by the Supplier due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- NOTE: A shortened version of this City tour can be offered to guests with mobility issues. Our small team have plans in place to deal with emergencies.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.6
based on 28 reviews
Sort by: Most recent
My husband and I took a 2 hour walking tour of Galway and saw everything. We were very interested in learning the history as both our family names were members of the 14 original tribes of Galway. Gerard, our tour guide was very knowledgeable and went out of his way to make sure we saw everything and had a good experience. I highly recommend
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful review. It was a real pleasure to welcome you both to Galway and to share the fascinating story of the city's history, especially the connections of the Lynch and Darcy families to the famous Tribes of Galway.
I'm delighted that you enjoyed the city tour. Your recommendation is greatly appreciated and means a great deal to a local guide.
Wishing you many happy memories of your time in Galway, and I hope to welcome you back again in the future. Warm regards, Gerard.
We really enjoyed our tour of Galway with Ger. He was knowledgeable, attentive, and fun. We learned a lot about this history of Galway and of Ireland as a whole while we strolled the streets of the city. The tour included a variety of sites and really helped us get our bearings so that we could explore further on our own during the rest of our stay in Galway. We highly recommend this tour!
Response from Host, Sep 2024
Hello again Lisa, Thanks for sharing your feedback on your family's recent Walking tour of Galway. I loved your review and the beautiful photos you captured. I enjoyed guiding you around the city , highlighting the John F Kennedy and Boston connection with Galway. Hope you also benefited from some of the many fish and vegetarian restaurants we passed along the route. Wishing you and family safe flights on the remainder of your vacation! Ger Considine, Tour Guide, Galway.
Our guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. Had a good time learning about Galway and its history.
Response from Host, Sep 2024
Many thanks for your nice review, Ana. It was a joy showing you and Tim around a busy Galway weekend with many tourism attractions. We sincerely appreciate your business and valuable feedback on your recent visit.
Gerrard helped us understand Galway’s complex and interesting history. Highlights included the stories behind important buildings and architectural details, notable restaurants and pubs, and written Gaelic words on prominent shops. We learned a lot, and enjoyed discussing our (and Gerard’s) family roots.
Response from Host, Aug 2024
Many thanks for your kind comments, Jim. I also enjoyed showing you and family around Galway and covering a little of the Gaelic backstory. Galway was named the European Region of Gastronomy in 2018 and the European Capital of Culture in 2022. We passed many food an drink outlets along the route and hope you got to check out some of my recommendations before you left the city. I'd also like to wish ye safe travel back to Wisconsin!
Ger, Tour-leader, Galway
Our guide was wonderful and modified our tour to what we were interested in. He made the tour interesting for my daughters and took the time to make sure everyone was able to ask questions and learn. I would recommend this tour to anyone who wants to get a good overview of Galway
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Our guests often tell us at at Western Tours how helpful it is to read past visitor reviews. Great to get this delightful feedback and that your family enjoyed our family-friendly experience. Tour-leader, Ger likes to tailor tours to guests individual interests to make it a little more interesting. Thank you and Best of luck from Galway. WTT
Ger was such a good sport to lead me as a single participant through the wind and rain as I wished to do! He was knowledgeable and flexible and picked ip on my interests. I had a great time and learned a lot.
Response from Host, Jun 2024
Thanks so much for such favourable feedback, Gina. The weather conditions were indeed quite unfavourable but that didn't dampen our spirits. Even in poor weather, there is lots to do in Galway and I'm sure glad the indoor tour of St. Nicholas' Church worked out to your satisfaction. Enjoy the remainder of your stay in Ireland's mid-West. Ger, Tour-leader at WTT
Very informative walking tour! Gerrard was so knowledgeable and thorough. It was obvious he loves what he does and made our time enlightening and enjoyable! Loved Galway!!
Response from Host, May 2024
Thanks very much, Deborah for leaving such positive feedback. I enjoyed guiding you and Elmer around the city and even though the Irish rain interrupted our walking tour, I'm glad you found it informative. I enjoy taking the time with our guests exploring Galway's rich history. Hope you enjoyed your hotel accommodation and safe travel! Thanks again. Tour Leader, Ger at WTT
Our tour guide for the City of Tribes walking tour in Galway was Gerard. He was exceptionally knowledgeable and very personable. He explained the history of the Tribes, the various buildings, including St Nicholas Collegiate Church and the Latin Quarter. We spoke with him about my husband's family heritage in Cork. The whole tour was fun and interesting. Gerard is an asset to your team. Thank you for making our trip more enjoyable.
Response from Host, May 2024
Many thanks, Irene for that lovely review. I enjoy taking the time with our visitors and clients in exploring old Galway's interesting history.
The Allen name is indeed a popular Cork name! Our small team is trilled to receive such a great rating. Thanks again & hope you both enjoyed the rest of your stay in the Emerald Isle ! Ger Tour guide at WTT.
Guide did not have us on the list. As well booked private and there were 10 people. Could not hear the guide and it was slow.
Response from Host, May 2024
Hello again Sharon ,
Apologies for slight overview of not having you and James logged on my mobile calendar for the Galway city excursion of Wednesday last. These are indeed private City Walking tours but I did explain at the beginning that we were down a Tour Guide on the day, therefore the group was larger that usual. I have spent many years in student classrooms and this is the first I've been told that I cannot be heard - it is possible that the windy conditions on the day could have attributed to this. As for the Tour being slow, it is a History and Culture tour and guests are informed at the start the approximate time duration and a time check afterwards revealed (allowing for a few minutes) it to be correct.
I'm glad we got the 3pm slot sorted out OK at the meet-up point and that the rain was'nt too bad going around! I do hope that you both took pleasure in the remainder of your stay in the Emerald Isle. All the Best Regards, Ger at WTT, Galway.
Friendly and knowledgeable tour guide.
Friendly and knowledgeable tour guide.
Friendly and knowledgeable tour guide.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Hello again Alexander,
Many, many thanks for leaving our Tour Guiding service such a positive rating! Galway is an old city with a very interesting past and I enjoy taking the time with our visitors and guests exploring this history. We sincerely appreciate your business, Ger, Tour Guide at WTT
Ger was amazing, great knowledge and a gift of gab! We had a great time learning history and seeing historical monuments. Ger is so good!
Response from Host, Oct 2023
Hi Laurie, I glad you and Mike enjoyed our leisurely stroll through the streets and through history on recent Galway Walking tour. I also enjoyed meeting you both and hope you got to checkout some of the eating outlets I mentioned, got entertained by local musicians and Mike got to sample some more jars of Guinness! Enjoy the remainder of your stay in the Emerald Isle. Tour guide, Ger at WTT.
Going through the historic areas of Galway. Ger gave recommendations for local restaurants. Very sweet man!!!
Response from Host, Oct 2023
Thank you. Nancy. It was lovely having you and Hayley for a slightly delayed Walking tour and despite the eminent threat of rain, we had good craic! I like keeping the tours informative but light-hearted and make guests feel at ease. Hope ye enjoyed the remainder of your stay in the West of Ireland and don't forget to check our Donegal country singer, Daniel O'Donnell MBE !
Ger was a friendly and excellent historical tour guide around Galway city, I learned a lot! He also made recommendations for food, pubs, and other things to do in the city and was more than happy to snap some pictures so I didn't have a reel full of selfies. It was great being on a private tour and Ger was open to modifying the tour route as desired. Would for sure recommend to other Galway travelers.
Response from Host, Sep 2023
Hi Monica, thank you for the fantastic review. We put a lot of effort into making our private and group Guiding service as enjoyable and friendly as possible. Sorry the St. Nicholas' Cathedral was closed when you visited but I'm thrilled to hear that you enjoyed our leisurely Walking tour of Galway city. Ger at WTT
Walking with Gerard was like being accompanied by a friend. Would recommend. Explained it all and never rushed us.
Response from Host, Sep 2023
Many thanks, Gary for your positive comments on Gerard's Historical city tour with WTT. I like to take the time to explain to visitors what can, justifiably, seem a complex past. I hope you enjoyed the remainder of your stay in Galway.
This definitely is for the history buffs. Would recommend to anyone visiting Galway& wanting to know the city history
Response from Host, Sep 2023
Thanks for the positive comments and recommendation, Vikki and I'm glad you enjoyed our Historical tour experience during your Galway visit.
The guide was very attentive and the tour was personalized and unrushed. I learned a lot about Galway history and came away with a good sense of the lay of the land. Definitely recommend if you’re looking for a thoughtful, interesting experience.
Response from Host, Aug 2023
Many thanks , Kathy for taking the time to share your experience of our Galway city walking tour. We at Western Tours and Tales pride ourselves in taking the time to find out our visitor's background and personalise our City and Day tours to your requirements and liking! Thanks again and hope you, Christopher and Kayla enjoyed the remainder your Irish trip. Ger Tour Guide at WTT
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$137.16
per group (up to 13)Was $144.38(-5%)
up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Galway History Walking tour with a Local Guide
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