Attractions
Salmon Weir Bridge
Address: University Rd, Galway, Ireland .Built in 1818, the salmon weir bridge is the oldest surviving bridge over the River Corrib.
The original purpose of the structure was to link the county courthouse with the county gaol on Nun’s Island, the latter having stood where Galway Cathedral now stands. It was also to provide a connection with the main road to Connemara.
Between April and July the bridge offers a great viewing point to watch the silvery salmon below, fight their way upstream, back to their traditional spawning grounds on Lough Corrib.
Lynch's Castle
Address: Lynch's Castle, 40 Shop St, Galway, H91 W400, Ireland .Lynch’s Castle, situated between Shop Street and Abbeygate Street, which now houses the AIB bank, could easily go unnoticed. Yet it is a striking example of a medieval fortified house. The castle is four storeys high with embellished carved windows, gargoyles and ornamental mouldings and cornices. Built by the powerful Lynch family as a protection from raids, parts of the limestone building may date back to the 14th century but the bulk of it was built in the 16th century. The Lynches, of Anglo-Norman descent, were one of the powerful 14 tribes who ruled Galway.
The family was influential and feature prominently in Galway’s history. In 1493 James Lynch Fitzstephen, then mayor of Galway, hanged his own son for the murder of a Spanish sailor. The Lynch coat of arms can be seen on the front of the building as well as coats of arms for Henry VII and the Fitzgerald’s of Kildare. A large extension was added in 1808 and a carved doorway was added in 1933.
Today, Lynch’s Castle is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Galway City, with its distinctive Gothic-style façade and ornate carvings. The building is a popular attraction for visitors to the city, who can explore its history and architecture and visit the ground floor during bank opening hours where information panels explain the history and architecture of the building in detail.
Dunguaire Castle
Address: Dunguaire Castle, Dungory West, Kinvarra, Co. Galway, Ireland .Dunguaire Castle is a 16th-century tower house on the southeastern shore of Galway Bay in County Galway, Ireland, near Kinvara. The name derives from the Dun of King Guaire, the legendary king of Connacht.
