GALWAY (Abhainn na Gaillimhe)

Galway comes from the Irish word Abhainn na Gaillimhe, the Galway river, named after Galvia, a mythological princess who drowned in the river. Geographical features include the mountain ranges of the Twelve Bens and the Maamturks. Lead and zinc mines exist at Tynagh, County Galway. Dún Aenghus (a bronze age fort) can be found on Inishmore, County Galway. Christopher Columbus visited the city of Galway when on his way from Lisbon. Salthill is one of the busiest seaside resorts in Ireland. 

Galway is the second largest county in Ireland and is divided into two contrasting regions by the expanse of Lough Corrib.

To the west, lying between the lake and the Atlantic, is Connemara - a region of superb scenic grandeur dominated by the rocky mountain range known as the Twelve Bens.

East of Lough Corrib, a fertile limestone plain extends to the Galway-Roscommon border and the River Shannon. Connemara's wild rugged landscape has attracted people for centuries. Made up of bogs, moorlands, mountains, and a rugged coastline, it is home to unusual bog and heathland plants and to the famous Connemara pony.

The Aran Islands lie thirty miles off the coast of Galway. Formed from a limestone ridge, their austere landscape, dry-stone walls, stunning coastal views and several large prehistoric stone forts make them well worth a visit. Protected for centuries by their isolated position, the islands today are a bastion of traditional Irish culture.

Galway city is the fastest growing city in Europe. A lively university city and the centre for the Irish-speaking regions in the West, Galway succumbed to both medieval and Spanish influences throughout its history.

The seaside suburb of Salthill is one of Ireland's busiest seaside resorts. Boasting sandy beaches, hotels, pubs, restaurants, fairground attractions, and a golf course, it is an ideal spot for a family holiday.

Galway is a city, a county, and an experience to be savoured and remembered. The historic city of the tribes dances to a beat uniquely it’s own. There is certain chemistry and vibrancy to this friendly University City, which many delight in, and few forget. Music, festivals, horse racing, pubs, restaurants, shops, theatres and most of all Galway people, combine to create this atmospheric mediaeval city of culture. From this pulsating heart the rest of the county flows. Galway Bay, immortalised in song, its beauty unchanging. Scenic Gaeltacht areas including the Aran Islands. Connemara, with the picturesque town of Clifden as its capital. Mountains, castles and stone walls, banks of turf, long sandy beaches, clear lakes, joyful leaping streams and flowing rivers. Delightful countryside punctuated by pretty villages, and traditional pubs.

No holiday to Ireland would be complete without a trip to the mystical Aran Islands that are situated in the middle of Galway Bay. The rugged, natural beauty along with thatch roofed stone cottages that dot the islands provide a splendid example of Celtic and early Christian heritage and gives one the impression that they have just travelled back in time..
The islands are Inishmore, the largest, Inishmaan and Inisheer being the smallest. With Gaelic still being the first language of the islanders, a true feel for 'older Ireland' is to be found. Throughout the islands, you will find the ruins of early Christian monasteries and fortifications, the best known being Dun Aengus which dates back over 2000 years, and many churches. The ruins of the House of Saint Edna, the most important Medieval religious settlement on Inishmore, can still be seen. Fishing is still the main industry on the islands and in many cases, the methods of the fishermen's ancestors are still used. The lives of these fishermen were the subject of the John M Synge 1904 play 'Riders to the Sea'.

There are a number of options open in travelling to the islands. You may either travel by ferry from Galway city or Rossaveal, or take the very short flight on Aer Arann from Connemara airport. When planning your trip to the Aran Islands, one should take into account that accommodation on the island is limited as well as seasonal. During the peak season, over 1000 visitors make the crossing to the Islands each and every day.

Galway County Council

HOSPITALS

ESTATE AGENTS

Cogavin & Staunton
Church Street
Ballinasloe
Co Galway
Phone : (090) 9642258
Fax : (090) 9642352
E-Mail : mlstaunton@eircom.net

Cunningham, Thomas & Son
Bridge House
Mountbellew
Ballinasloe
Co Galway
Phone : 90579266
Fax : 90579266
E-Mail : cunauct1@eircom.net

Keary, Martin Auctioneering Co Ltd
Main Street
Loughrea
Co. Galway
Phone : (091) 841298
Fax : (091) 842257
E-Mail : keary@iol.ie

Moran & Co.
Main Street
Ballygar
Co. Galway
Phone : (090) 6624531
Fax : (090) 6624531
E-Mail : djmoran@eircom.net

Smith & Co.
Newtownsmyth
Co. Galway
Phone : (091) 567331
Fax : (091) 568879
E-Mail : jfsmith@iol.ie
Website : http://www.smithandcompany.ie.

Tuohy, Brian
Coose
Whitegate
Co. Galway
Phone : (061) 927004
Fax : (061) 927004
E-Mail : tuohycoose@eircom.net

Tyrrell Insurances & Auctioneering
Estate House
Bishop Street
Tuam
Co Galway
Phone : (093) 24223
Fax : (093) 24894
E-Mail : tyrrellauctins@eircom.net
Website : http://www.tyrrellauctions.ie