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About Galway: What to see and do.
Why Learn English in Galway.
Galway
Galway is the third largest city in Ireland. It is located on the West Coast along the dramatic coastline of the Atlantic Ocean. It is associated with the Irish language, music, song and dance traditions.
Galway was ruled in medieval times by 14 merchant families because of these ‘tribes’ the city got a nickname ‘City of the Tribes’ or ‘Cathair and Treabh’. Some of the names include Athy, Blake, Bodkin, Browne, D’Arcy, Deane, Ffont, Ffrench, Joyce, Kirwan, Lynch, Martyn, Morriss and Skerrett.
The city can be visited on a day trip if you are studying your English Course in Ireland or you can spend your whole time here while on mini-stay.
There are many things to be explored. Here are some suggestions:
Galway City Museum is a very popular attraction with around 200,000 visitors per year. The museum ‘s exhibition explains its visitors about the archaeology, history and sea science of Galway.
St Nicholas’s Church has been completed in 1320, it is dedicated to St Nicholas of Myra, patron saint of children (Santa Claus) and of mariners. Christopher Columbus is said to have worshipped in 1477 here when he visited the town.
The Spanish Arch is an extension of Galway’s medieval city walls and it was designed to protect ships moored at the nearby quay while they unloaded goods from Spain. It was partially destroyed when the Lisbon earthquake in 1755 caused the tsunami. Today it is a place where buskers and drummers add to a nice atmosphere while locals sit on the lawns and riverside. It is a gathering place for locals and visitors on sunny days.
Galway’s famous bustling street market with its long history has been trading in Church lane by St Nicholas’ Church. You will find hundreds of stalls selling fresh produce and local crafts. There’s a great variety of food available or you can buy the ingredients for a delicious gourmet picnic.
If you want to enjoy the real atmosphere of a seaside town you need to walk Salthill Promenade located right on the Atlantic Ocean. You will see locals take this 2km-long seaside strolls or sitting on the beach.