Galway Bay

Explore the historic city of Galway.

Eyre Square, an area to sit out and relax is at the heart of Galway City.

Stroll along the River Corrib as it makes its way towards the sea in Galway Bay.

View what remains of the city wall along the quays below Quay Street.

Galway Harbour lies tucked in close to Spanish Arch and Quay Street. Nearby there is a hotel and holiday apartment accommodation. The harbour can accommodate vessels up to 10K tonnes.

Relax along the sea front at Salt Hill.

Take a trip out to the village of Barna on the shores of Galway Bay.

Galway Bay hugs both the coastline of County Galway (North Shore and Part of South Shore) and County Clare ( South West Shore )

The route from Galway City via Barna and Spiddal brings you to the heart of Connemara.

The route south from Galway City via Kinvara brings you to the Burren and County Clare.br>To enjoy both routes if based in Galway best plan on a spending at least a day on each.

Barna
lies about 8km from Galway City – over the last ten to twenty years it has become a dormer town for workers working in Galway City.

Between Barna and Spiddal there are a number of fine sandy beaches – Silver Strand between Galway City and Barna  and is popular on fine sunny weekends with Galwegians.

The drive west from Barna takes you along the north shore of Galway Bay – across the bay the rounded limestone hills of County Clare are clearly seen.
Don't pass this way too quickly as there are many small bohereens (roads) winding down to the water's edge – where you can stroll in peace.

Further west from Barna lies the small village of Spiddal. As you pass through Barna you enter region known as the Gaeltacht. A place where the mother tongue is Irish and an area of revival for the Irish Language and Culture.

Spiddal is one of the main Gaeltacht centres – and hosts a large number of students through the summer months who come solely to learn the Irish Language.
If you make a bit of an effort to say Conas Ta tu (Hello) or Dia Guit (Good day)– people will respond positively and be more  welcoming.

There are a number of fine pubs and restaurants in the village.

Close to the village there are a number of great beaches and the village has its own small harbour, from where the local fishermen set out in their small boats to catch crab and lobster.

The area around Inverin is an Gaelic speaking area and popular among students wishing to learn the language.
A gaelic language summer school is held in the village for teenagers who wish to appreciate and speak the language.

Inverin is not really a village but a string of homes laid out along the side of the road and others dotted across the walled fields in a seemingly disorganised manner. But on closer observation, one sees that all the homes are interconnected by narrow soft topped tracks.

Thinking of a flight to the Aran Islands – well then head to Inverin or Indreabhán  ( Gaelic ) or even Inbhearin .

The flight across only takes ten minutes. The service is provided by Aer Arann.

Taking a ferry to the Arran Islands – then make your way across the bog lands of Connemara, past the lakes well stocked with fish, over the undulating narrow roads to the fishing village of Rossaveal.

The Gaelic or Irish name for the place is Ros an Mhíl  and means the peninsula of the whale.

As this is Gaeltach area – a region where the mother tongue is Irish – you will see the sign posts directing you to Ros an Mhil – though people will still call it Rossaveal – though may spell it differently.

There are 2 ferry companies operating a regular service from Rossaveal to Kilronan, the main village on Inis Mór.
Both companies offer four services a day during peak season evenly spaced between 9am and 6pm.
It takes about 40 minutes to cross over to the island.

Bus
A bus service links Rossaveal to Galway city – arriving in time for the ferries – the bus takes a bit over an hour.

Carraroe lies between Casla Bay and Greatman's Bay in the heart of Connemara.
It is a Gaeltacht region – where the mother tongue is Gaelic.
The region is also a centre for the development of the Irish Language, every summer thousands of school children visit the region or Gaeltacht to study Irish language, culture, music, sport and socialising.

The Irish Language schools including Carraore, Lettermore are of significant economic benefit to the area. During the summer months when the area is invaded with teenagers, the local families turn their homes into guesthouse for the city children.

The village of Kinvara is on the south shore of Galway bay and almost in County Clare

The castle was built in the 16th century as a tower house which offered a commading view of the area. The castle is built on a mound part surrounded by the sea and protected by an outer wall. The castle has been well restored and is open to the public.

The minor roads around the New Quay headland between Kinvara and Ballyvaughan make for a pleasant drive.