Galway City Museum image

Galway City Museum

Tourist attraction Museum

Small displays of documents, photographs, memorabilia and medieval artefacts chronicling urban life. People often mention museum, Galway, history, interesting, visit, city, free, great, information, Ireland,


Address

Spanish Parade, Galway, H91 CX5P, Ireland

Website

www.galwaycitymuseum.ie

Contact

+353 91 532 460

Rating on Google Maps

4.40 (2.2K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Tuesday: 10 am to 5 pm
  • Wednesday: 10 am to 5 pm
  • Thursday: 10 am to 5 pm
  • Friday: 10 am to 5 pm
  • Saturday: 10 am to 5 pm
  • Sunday: Closed
  • Monday: Closed

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: museum (57) Galway (52) history (48) interesting (32) visit (32) city (24) free (21) great (17) information (17) Ireland (15)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 4/5 Clarissa Hu A. 1 year ago on Google
    It's ok for a free museum. More of an atlantic/history museum. We went through it quickly but the view from the museum on a gorgeous day is beautiful.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sarai G. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Museum incredible! He has many interesting things to learn, especially in the history of the city of Galway, Ireland but also in general. And it's free! So well worth being 2 or 3 hours soaking up as much culture and history. (Original) Museo increible! Tiene multitud de cosas interesantes para aprender, sobretodo de la historia de la ciudad de Galway, pero también de Irlanda en general. Y es gratuito! Así que merece mucho la pena estar 2 o 3 horas empapandose de tanta cultura e historia.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Gaurav T. 8 months ago on Google • 262 reviews
    Its located behind the Spanish arch on the corrib bank’s river in Galway, there is free entry for tourists… it has 3 storey museum but not much worth attending - nothing much interesting to watch.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Brendan P. 5 years ago on Google
    A wonderful little museum with a fantastic restaurant in it. Walking around the museum gives a little taste of so much of the region. From the Galway Hooker boat that is inside, to Iron Age tools and arrowheads, to even older items this museum has a fantastic dose of history. Then upstairs there is moving exhibits, as well as collections of art, and poster and movie paraphernalia from times past. Cap it all off with a lovely view of the Quay from the corner window, and you have yourself a lovely little day at the museum!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Eve R. 1 year ago on Google • 132 reviews
    I visited the museum this morning with my daughter. We spent approximately 2 hours there. It is a fairly small museum but there is plenty to see. I particularly enjoyed the exhibition on the Gaels and the Monument exhibition and the artworks. The museum is free to enter but they recommend a donation of €5. I would recommend a visit here to anyone visiting Galway.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Kaya W. 1 year ago on Google • 81 reviews
    The museum covers the archaeology, history and culture of the city of Galway like most city museums do, but here the text is in Gaelic and English, with the Gaelic text first, as it is still the official language of the nation which I thought was a nice touch. The Galway city museum is one of the best museums I have visited anywhere in the world, both with the standard expositions and the changing ones. They also offer a virtual tour and have a very detailed and user-friendly website which I absolutely recommend you visit, whether you are planning on going here or not.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 joe b. 3 months ago on Google • 57 reviews New
    Very interesting museum. There is plenty of stuff to see on the upper floors and a great viewing area to look out over the Corrib. The exhibitions are not well signposted , which is a shame because many people won't realise what is upstairs. It's a pity the attached cafe is no longer there. It has been replaced with a tourist information office , which seems very basic.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 S P. 4 months ago on Google • 146 reviews
    Free admission. Wonderful museum of Galway history, Ireland independence. I especially loved the Superhuman exhibit. Medical devices invented in Ireland + human Anatomy. Our grandchildren loved all the history(ages 15 through 6 yrs old)

  • 5/5 Norma D. 8 months ago on Google
    The most clued in place to life in modern Ireland that our family visited in Galway city which is bit ironic considering that it is a museum . Right in the heart of the city this treasure in its beautiful modern building could easily be missed. The only place we visited in Galway city that had a sensory area for my son who is on the Autism Spectrum. He adored the imaginary submarine drive experience- both had such a calming effect. The national aquarium, a few minutes away by car, is worth a shout out too ! His sibling enjoyed the museum so much that he asked to return the following day. The exhibitions and film room are great showing the life of the local Islanders in the past. However, for us the detail in the exhibition outlining the history of Ireland’s success in gaining Independence in the early nineteen hundreds and ‘The Treaty’ was exceptional. A group of traditional Irish musicians and dancers entertained while we were there. A member of the management team went to great lengths to assure that the Additional Needs Care facilities were operating fully. The staff were friendly and the real surprise - it’s all free !!! A small donation is possible and well worth it. A jewel hidden in plain sight !!! A must for visitors to Galway City Ireland 🇮🇪.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Allison J. 7 months ago on Google
    Free and had a variety of things to look at. Various old artifacts and modern stuff as well. Spent an hour walking around.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Olga N. 1 year ago on Google
    Location is great and your excursion will end on the top floor witg a splendid view on the bay. I did not see plenty of objects, but they are all well presented and accompanied with detailed description. Kids loved the imitation of submarine and a "scull in the box" which is a reliquary of st.Ursula
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Marta C. de M. 2 years ago on Google
    Great museum! Very informative and modern. One can learn a lot about Galway there. Follows all the government guidelines against Covid.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Natalia N. 1 year ago on Google
    This was a super interesting and diverse museum. It covers the history of the region (including the islands), Irish independence and there is also an expo on the sea. I spent at least an hour and a half here, the information displayed is so rich and detailed. There is a small viewing deck on the last floor which is wonderful. I learned a lot and would recommend it to everyone that visits Galway.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 John H. 1 year ago on Google
    This wonderful museum in the heart of Galway city near The Spannish arch is a must see.Only a voluntary donation will show you loads of artifacts and abundance of historic interests.Experience being in the debt of the ocean in a replica submarine along with videos of historic moments in time.This museum deserves its *****
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Vilnis V. 1 year ago on Google
    Easy to find,just in the heart of Galway city centre. Free entry, of course you can donate some money if you are willing to. They recommend to do 5 euros , which probably is a bit too expensive for the expositions there. Nothing much to see, took us around 20 mins to see everything. 3 floors , everything displayed very well. If you want to know something more about Galway and the Aran Islands, this place is a must. Recommended.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Tobias K. 4 years ago on Google
    Nice little museum. There is a section about the celtic history, about medieval landlords in Ireland and about irish independence.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Raghunath K M. 4 years ago on Google
    You will find the read for city history and few science games for kids. Have a restaurant also. Entry is free, maintained well, could have been made more interesting.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Niall M. 3 years ago on Google
    Beautiful, interesting museum. Only the ground floor was open when we visited during the pandemic. But is was a great way to spend an hour and learn about the Aran Islands and snippets of Galway's history. Lovely interior design.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ally T. 1 year ago on Google • 58 reviews
    Quaint museum with a few exhibitions going. Keep an eye out on the website for information about what is on show. Wouldn't suggest you make it the main attraction for the day, as one can finish the entire museum within an hour easily. It's not a big packed museum. It is interesting, as it contains local history and the finds of the area and significant people of the area. Definitely worth a visit. Park down by parking bays and walk up to the museum.

  • 5/5 Martina B. 7 months ago on Google • 41 reviews
    Amazing Museum about the Story of Galway from the very beginning over how they Manager their live at the Aran Islands,how they built the Hookers,the Rebellion until the daily life in Galway and around

  • 5/5 Carmen C. 3 years ago on Google
    Worth a visit. We booked online and tickets were free

  • 3/5 Stefano A. 1 year ago on Google
    Very nice building, well organized. Contains a very small archeological section, geographical information, ocean information and a rich section about the 1916 rising

  • 5/5 Evangeline E. 4 years ago on Google
    It's a nice place to understand better on the history of the Irish and the culture. Moreover, its free.

  • 5/5 Blaithin B. 1 year ago on Google
    Galway City is lovely to visit. Full of interesting bars restaurant and coffee shops. As it is a university city it has a young population making the centre area and the latin quarter very lively and exciting. There are lovely shops to buy or browse also buskers singing and playing instruments adding to the atmosphere.

  • 5/5 Emily K. 1 year ago on Google
    A really lovely museum - it's small, but that doesn't detract from it at all. There's a lot of thought put into the displays and it gives both a good overview broad Irish/atlantic history and more specifically local history. Kudos to the curators for a fantastic experience.

  • 4/5 Adrián Río H. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) The Galway City Museum is a great place to visit with many interesting information of the history of the city and the country itself. The Galway City Museum is a great place to visit with lots of interesting information about the history of the city and the country itself. The Galway City Museum is a fantastic place to visit with lots of interesting information about the history of the city and the country itself. The Galway City Museum is a great place to visit, with lots of interesting information about the history of the city and the country itself. (城市) (way Galway City Museum 是 一个 绝佳 的 去处 , 其中 包含 有关 城市 历史 和 本身 的 身 有趣 信息。。 The Galway City Museum is a great place to visit with lots of interesting information about the history of the city and the town itself. يعد متحف مدينة غالواي مكانًا رائعًا للزيارة مع الكثير من المعلومات المثيرة للاهتمام حول تاريخ ال The Galway City Museum is a great place to visit with lots of interesting information about the city’s history and the country itself. (Original) The Galway City Museum is a great place to visit with many interesting information of the history of the city and the country itself. El museo de la ciudad de Galway es un sitio fantástico para visitar con mucha mucha información interesante sobre la historia de la ciudad y del propio país. Le musée de la ville de Galway est un endroit fantastique à visiter avec de nombreuses informations intéressantes sur l'histoire de la ville et du pays lui-même. O Museu da Cidade de Galway é um ótimo lugar para se visitar, com muitas informações interessantes sobre a história da cidade e do próprio país. 戈尔韦城市博物馆(Galway City Museum)是一个绝佳的去处,其中包含有关城市历史和国家本身的许多有趣信息。 Il Galway City Museum è un posto fantastico da visitare con molte informazioni interessanti sulla storia della città e del paese stesso. يعد متحف مدينة غالواي مكانًا رائعًا للزيارة مع الكثير من المعلومات المثيرة للاهتمام حول تاريخ المدينة والبلد نفسه. Galway City Museum bisitatzeko leku bikaina da hiriaren historiari eta herrialdeari berari buruzko informazio interesgarri askorekin.

  • 5/5 Sai P. 1 year ago on Google
    A great place, really liked the museum. It is more of a history museum of Galway and has a lot on info about the past of Galway. My most favorite part is the the photo at the first floor which is a splitting image of the real world since 1500 and you can see the same view from there.

  • 5/5 Tony S. 3 years ago on Google
    Harriet opened up a new world for all of us on our recent visit, would highly recommend, for all of the family.

  • 4/5 Sal F. 1 year ago on Google
    A very nice smallish museum that is located in the heart of the city. A good way to spend a hour or more learning about the local history and while it is free they do ask for a 5 euro donation which in my opinion a fair value.

  • 2/5 Ian H. 3 years ago on Google
    Wasn't very much on display.

  • 5/5 Valerie L. 1 year ago on Google
    Really good free museum, lots of details, space and children friendly

  • 5/5 Bimal P. 2 years ago on Google
    It was nice experience .

  • 5/5 Toni W. 1 year ago on Google
    So much to see and learn. Go see it. You will not regret it.

  • 4/5 Gabriela Reyna English Gabriela Reyna En E. 1 year ago on Google
    I think it needs more it’s too simple. Maybe some activities organise by the community will be good. It needs more expositions. Friendly staff thank you.

  • 5/5 theresa c. 2 years ago on Google
    Wounderful! Well done Galway! impressive history told in an engaging way.And it's free!,so visit often with your kids,especially if they are covering a specific topic in school, brings the history to life!.

  • 5/5 Juan Luis Morales D. 2 years ago on Google
    Great place to know the history of the Republic and to learn how people used to live

  • 5/5 G J. 2 years ago on Google
    Great museum with a lot of informative exhibition about Galway from medieval and Gaelic times through the revolution and up until recent times. All 3 floors were fun to explore.

  • 5/5 Harry H. 2 years ago on Google
    Super modern and old style mix Great artifacts staff friendly.thank you harry hackett dublin

  • 4/5 Danuta K. 3 years ago on Google
    Interesting place if you like history you find something new about Galway

  • 5/5 J P. 2 months ago on Google • 12 reviews New
    Beautifully curated and located museum with a mixture of natural history, human and political history, interactive kids area and art in a beautiful airy building with great views. Equally good for a quick whistle stop or you could spend most of the day there if you want to really soak it all in. Entry by donation- bring cash as when we visited in October 2023 there were no facilities for card donations but the staff were so kind, despite as having no cash!

  • 5/5 Thomas S. 3 years ago on Google
    This is quite a decent city museum🏛️, perhaps not as good as in Waterford or Kerry, but definitely better than in Cork. Thanks to their smart Covid policy, it's not too crowded, so everybody can enjoy the artifacts. There is at present a very interesting special exhibition about an ancient ringfort on the Aran Islands (watch the video, if you are into stone walls) and another lavish one on Galway's rather secondary role 1916 - 1923. You can can also learn why you shouldn't take a red haired👩‍🦰 Irish woman on your fishing boat. Ginger danger!

  • 4/5 Umut B. 3 months ago on Google New
    Nice and interactive place. 3 floors of exhibitions. Good for kids. Would be nice if they had some coin lockers for tourists to leave their bags while visiting the museum though.

  • 5/5 Victor Henrique Naves S. 3 years ago on Google
    The museum has less exposure, perhaps because of measures against Covid-19.

  • 4/5 Nick F. 5 months ago on Google
    I came here towards the end of the day, so I had to rush through the final exhibits. I saw some on the country's history, the Aran Islands in particular, and other related subjects. There was a university-sponsored exhibit on medical research I didn't get time to see. Overall, it's a good place to stop.

  • 5/5 Zurrah R. 5 months ago on Google
    Worth visiting with kids. Very nice and informative

  • 5/5 Penelope P. 6 months ago on Google
    A great place to visit! Interesting, lots of information and history, and not too big that you can't see all of it in one visit. Was very glad to see the music exhibit as you come through the door, posters for bands that have played in Galway, and a link to a playlist of those bands. Soundtrack for my visit to Galway! Definitely go visit the museum, its wonderful!

  • 4/5 Schaumberg W. 7 months ago on Google
    Very good on Ireland's story and the civil war, and beautiful films of the Aran islands, old and new. Not a lot of info about Galway tho. Incidentally was impressed by a down and out outside who didn't have a bottle or a few cans but an actual KEG of beer.

  • 5/5 Sarah B. 1 year ago on Google
    Wonderful museum that really connects you to the history of Galway and Ireland. A mix of historical artifacts and crafts a well as traditional art. The layout and displays are varied and creative, and there are videos, 3D maps, and an underwater submarine area that children and adults will find delightful. The delivery of information has purpose and imagination, and it makes learning about history absolutely fascinating.

  • 5/5 D S. 4 years ago on Google
    Nice spot to learn a bit about the history of the area. Free admission, donations appreciated.

  • 4/5 Sharon T. 10 months ago on Google
    As a previous reviewer said this museum is small but interesting and worth a visit. Entrance is free

  • 5/5 Joyce E. 10 months ago on Google
    This is an outstanding free museum (with suggested donation). I’m not sure how other reviewers could say it only took 20 min to go through. They mustn’t have read any of the extensive information presented throughout the exhibits. My adult daughter and I were both very impressed at the variety and depth of the exhibits. We both felt we learned a lot about the history and culture of the Galway area and Ireland. Well worth a visit.

  • 5/5 Laura Sanchez de la R. 1 year ago on Google
    Very interesting museum explaining the history of Galway and the ancient Celtic culture. Definitely a place to go if you visit this lovely city!.

  • 5/5 frank o. 3 years ago on Google
    I visited this museum at the time I visited only the ground floor was open to the public it's a very interesting museum and I will be back again

  • 5/5 Aleksandrs G. 3 years ago on Google
    Just like any other museum i have visited if you take your time to read with interes its amazing what unveals .... :) i love history without knowing it how can we build future :)

  • 5/5 Saira J. B. 4 years ago on Google
    The knowledge and information gathered here was very interesting and outstanding. Really enjoyed my visit here. A great way to have a family/couple outing. Entrance was completely free.

  • 5/5 Wolfgang S. 2 years ago on Google
    Very interesting exhibition to learn several things about irish and local history

  • 4/5 Pierre C. 4 years ago on Google
    Small museum, interesting and well explained. Great to have an overview of Ireland and Galway's history

  • 4/5 Martin G. 4 years ago on Google
    Some amazing things to see and learn

  • 4/5 Chris S. 4 years ago on Google
    This was really cool to see the history of galway and Ireland.

  • 5/5 Valérie S. 4 years ago on Google
    Very interesting to learn about Galway and the Atlantic Ocean !

  • 3/5 Anna P. 4 years ago on Google
    Always a good place to visit when the weather is bad

  • 3/5 Morné S. 4 years ago on Google
    Eeh, it's a museum...

  • 5/5 Frances U. 3 years ago on Google
    The rest of the place is still shut down. But the little on exhibit was good

  • 4/5 dónal o b. 4 years ago on Google
    Surprisingly good

  • 5/5 Maria �. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) The history of the city of Galway and the whole country is presented not only through photos and artifacts, there are also interactive exhibits, for adults and children. The most impressive is the view from the window of the river and Claddagh, each point outside the window is marked on the large picture with a description and explanation. (Original) Historia miasta Galway i całego kraju przedstawiona jest za pośrednictwem nie tylko zdjęć i artefaktów, są też interaktywne eksponaty, dla dorosłych i dla dzieci. Największe wrażenie robi widok z okna na rzekę i na Claddagh, każdy punkt za oknem jest zaznaczony na dużym zdjęciu z opisem i wyjaśnieniem.

  • 4/5 Elizabeth G. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Cool place! (Original) Cool place!

  • 4/5 Shelley F. 4 years ago on Google
    Free entry. Enjoyed the museum very much. Best in Ireland. Decent coffee shop serving food on premises.

  • 5/5 Sahib Karim K. 4 years ago on Google
    A must go place, enjoyed a lot.

  • 5/5 Ellen L. 4 years ago on Google
    Good access to interesting exhibitions. Well worth a visit

  • 5/5 Eliane M. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Wonderful (Original) Maravilhoso

  • 5/5 anthony j. 3 years ago on Google
    Great exhibition called Monuments currently on display, very interesting background to forts of the Aran Islands, highly recommend

  • 5/5 Mark G. 4 years ago on Google
    Free and great!

  • 5/5 David D. 4 years ago on Google
    😁

  • 5/5 Ca Pep Del M. 3 years ago on Google
    Free

  • 4/5 Piero M. 3 years ago on Google
    Very nice museum, very interesting stories

  • 5/5 Colin G. 4 years ago on Google
    I really enjoyed my visit to the museum. For such a small city this museum had plenty of interest. Loads to keep the kids entertained with interactive media etc. Good section on the Easter Rising for local history

  • 5/5 Moira D. 2 years ago on Google
    Great way to spend afternoon. Very interesting exhibitions and free too!!! Well worth a visit

  • 4/5 Sandra O. 2 years ago on Google
    Very well run, plenty of covid rules. Interesting, spacious. It's free.

  • 5/5 Elie S. 2 years ago on Google
    Visited last week as a tourist. Great place to learn about Irish history. Make sure to reserve ahead of time.

  • 5/5 John M. 2 years ago on Google
    Very interesting and well presented exhibitions. Best thing is that it's free and all you need to do is book your ticket online which is really handy.

  • 5/5 Kaedla H. 2 years ago on Google
    Highly recommend a visit! Lots of interesting artefacts and the information is very well displayed and easy to comprehend. You're able to follow along quite easily and learn about the history of Ireland and Galway. There were a few flights of stairs (2 floors I think), I think I recall seeing an elevator in order to access the different floors (sorry I forgot to ask to know for sure). Staff very friendly and enthusiastic to help in anyway.

  • 4/5 Steven “WonderSte” M. 2 years ago on Google
    Nice museum, plenty of things to read and look at. Staff are lovely and helpful. Time limit during visiting however meant you had to skip a lot of the museum if you wanted to see and read everything.

  • 5/5 ajith k t. 2 years ago on Google
    Must visit place in Galway. Excellent exhibit right in the centre of the city.Lovely little museum right beside the harbour and next to Spanish Arch. Lots to see and interesting for all ages.The Galway Museum is near the Spanish Arch and admission was free. The displays about the history of Galway were very informative.

  • 5/5 Anoop T. 2 years ago on Google
    Awesome visit. Must go place if comes to galway.

  • 4/5 Tim C. 3 years ago on Google
    Easy place to kill a couple of hours.

  • 5/5 Jordan Kevin M. 2 years ago on Google
    A museum that’s modern, informative and celebrates the culture and history of Galway and the rest of Ireland. It’s free to enter and is a good place to see. There’s quite a lot on display here ranging from samples dating from Ireland’s ancient past to materials dating to the last century. Absolutely brilliant!

  • 5/5 Amal Paul s. 2 years ago on Google
    Lovely little museum right beside the harbour and next to Spanish Arch. Lots to see and interesting for all ages.

  • 5/5 Елена �. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very interesting, especially for children! I recommend a visit! (The entrance is free) (Original) Очень интересно, особенно для детей! Рекомендую посетить! (Вход бесплатный)

  • 5/5 matt t. 4 years ago on Google
    Great place to spend a sunday

  • 5/5 Denis C. 4 years ago on Google
    Excellent, be sure to see the maritime portion up on top

  • 2/5 Katka K. 3 years ago on Google
    Before you decide to visit, you have to book a free ticket otherwise no entrance, also just ground floor is open, which was very disappointing and visit of all people in the same slot was roughly 15 mins.

  • 5/5 John D. 4 years ago on Google
    Love this museum, great for all the family.

  • 2/5 Honza B. 4 years ago on Google
    Pretty borring, we stop there just because of bad weather conditions.


Call +353 91 532 460 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible toilet
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance

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