A Guide to Galway by Bike

(17 reviews)

This is a 5.1mi cycling tour

It takes an average of 120 mins to complete.

Galway

Ireland

$11.99

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About the Tour

Galway is a quaint medieval city with a big heart. I’ll show you the best of it on this cycling tour, which guides you through 800 years of history, visits all of the key sites, and helps you get to grips with modern Galway too.

We’ll start in the medieval quarter, where you’ll hear about events both surprising and gruesome. Then we’ll make our way through the city centre, visiting Galway’s most famous attractions – along with a few less well known sites – and we’ll end our tour at Salthill Village, where there are striking views of the Aran Islands.

Some of the highlights along the way include:

Saint Nicholas Church
The Spanish Arch and the rest of Galways’ city walls
The National University of Ireland’s Galway campus and its enchanting grounds
The majestic Galway Cathedral and its fabulous stained glass
The beautiful tranquil paths along the Eglinton Canal
A visit to Katie's Cottage, a traditional Irish cottage in the heart of the Claddagh
The stunning vistas along Salthill Promenade stretching out across Galway Bay
Blackrock Diving Tower, where you could go for a splash and experience an age old tradition enjoyed by hardy locals

You’ll also find out where the word “lynched” comes, who the Tribes of Galway were, and how Richard Martin founded the R.S.P.C.A. (I’ll delve into the darker side of Martin’s character too.) I’ll explain what to do if you’re trying to spot the legendary Claddagh ring and tell you the poignant story of Celia Griffin, who has become a symbol of what life here was like during the Great Famine.

This tour takes you to places you’d never find on your own. Galway is a safe city where there’s ‘craic’ to be had and the living is easy. If you only take one tour while in Ireland, choose this one!

Tour Producer

Derek Spillane

4 tours

Credentials & Professional Memberships
• Fáilte Ireland–Approved National Tour Guide
• BA (Hons.) in History and Heritage Studies
• Guiding professionally across Ireland since 2012
• Former Chairperson, Galway Tour Guides Association
• Member, ATGI – Association of Tour Guides of Ireland
• Fully accredited with Fáilte Ireland National Tour Guide Badge
• Full Public Liability Insurance
• SPSV Licence Holder
• D1 Driver’s Licence Holder
• Proven reputation as a safe, professional, and highly rated driver-guide
Private Luxury Tours of Ireland with a Fáilte Ireland National Tour Guide
Welcome! If you’re looking for a private tour guide in Ireland who combines deep local roots, academic expertise, and over a decade of professional experience, you’re in the right place.
I am a Fáilte Ireland–approved National Tour Guide with a BA (Hons.) in History and Heritage Studies, guiding visitors throughout Ireland since 2012. Born and raised in Galway—with family roots tracing back to 1776 and strong connections to the Aran Islands—I offer an authentic, insider’s perspective on Ireland’s history, culture, and landscapes.
Bespoke Private Tours of Ireland (1–8 Guests)
I specialise in private, tailor-made tours of Ireland, designed around your interests and travel style. Enjoy luxury transport for groups of 1 to 8 guests, with personalised itineraries that bring Ireland’s heritage and scenery to life.
Tour options include:
• Private day tours from Galway or Dublin
• Multi-day Ireland tours starting in Dublin
• Luxury shore excursions from Galway Port
• Custom itineraries featuring the Wild Atlantic Way, Connemara, the Cliffs of Moher, the Aran Islands, and beyond
Every tour is carefully curated to offer a rich blend of history, storytelling, scenic beauty, and local insight.
A Knowledgeable Local Guide with Global Perspective
Extensive travel around the world has shown me how transformative a truly great guide can be. My goal is to deliver more than just sightseeing—I provide immersive, engaging experiences that connect you to Ireland’s people, past, and place in the world.
As a fully accredited Fáilte Ireland National Tour Guide, I operate to the highest professional standards, holding full insurance and all required driving licences. My commitment to safety, professionalism, and guest satisfaction is consistently reflected in five-star reviews.
If you’re seeking a luxury private Ireland tour led by a qualified, experienced, and passionate local guide, I would be delighted to welcome you and help you discover what makes Ireland so special.
To book a physical tour go to www.wildaboutireland.ie

Preview Location

Location 33

Katie's Cottage

Stop here at Katie's Cottage, on your right.

This an example of a traditional Irish cottage and typical of the cottages constructed in the Claddagh. By 1812 there were over 468 thatched cottages here in the Claddagh, with over 500 families, 250 boats, and 2,500 people worki... Stop here at Katie's Cottage, on your right.

This an example of a traditional Irish cottage and typical of the cottages constructed in the Claddagh. By 1812 there were over 468 thatched cottages here in the Claddagh, with over 500 families, 250 boats, and 2,500 people working in the industry here. It wasn’t until 1937 that work began on demolishing the buildings in this area on the grounds of public health. In fact, such is the importance of the Claddagh in feeding the city that a bye-law was enacted in 1596 to allow for the people to have the means to concentrate solely on fishing. The unique character of the Claddagh attracted artists in the 19th century such as Francis Topham and Alfred Dowling Fripp and Fredrick Goddall, all keen to capture the living conditions and habits of the folk. They leave a valuable insight into life at this time as you can view on your screen now.

The first color photographs taken in Ireland were of local ladies here in the Claddagh and are now part of the Albert Khan collection in Paris. Khan was a rich industrialist who at the turn of the 20th century sought to capture images of people all over the world, believing traditional ways were fast being lost due to industrialization.

The Irish cottage as you see it here was constructed continuously between the 1860s and 1960s when they became unfashionable with the advent to central heating which allowed for more windows and light. The classic structure measured 10 meters long by 4 meters wide, with three windows to the front and the door off-center. The cottage was constructed by Meithal, a traditional community workgroup and when several were built together, it was known as a Clachan.

West of the Shannon there was no porch and you entered straight into the kitchen. The back door or doras na gaoithe, the draughty door, was parallel with the front door and had a half door with hinges on either side, so it could be hung to protect from the prevailing wind. The central focus of this room was the hearth where all the cooking was done. There was a hierarchy as to who sat closest to the fire, the man and the woman of the house sat on the right- and left-hand side respectively.

The bedroom was accessed from the main room and there was a loft space opening or shelf to the kitchen where the children slept. During this time a dowery was paid in the event of the marriage of a daughter, the prospect of not being married gave rise to the term to be left on the shelf!

One of the most important pieces of furniture was the settle, which was a deep wooden seat with a high back. This was where visitors sat, and it could be opened up to double as a playpen for children or animals. Important traditions were upheld too in the building of a cottage, sometimes an animal was stabled in the house before the family moved in, if the animal was healthy after a period then it was safe for the family too. The first fire was traditionally lit from the embers removed from the parents’ house.

Please feel free to look around. When you're ready, continue along the street towards Whitestrand and the Salthill Promenade. Read More

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Major Landmarks

Eyre Square
The Latin Quarter
Lynch's Castle
Saint Nicholas' Collegiate Church
Quay Street
The Long Walk
Galway City Museum
University of Galway
Galway Cathedral
Galways Westend
The Claddagh
Mutton Island
Salthill Prom
Blackrock Diving Board

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Getting There

Route Overview

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Start location
Station Rd, Galway, Ireland
Total distance

8km
Final location
Salthill, Co. Galway, Ireland
Distance back to start location

3km

Directions to Starting Point

The starting point the entrance to Ceannt Station, Galway.

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Tips

Places to stop along the way

Galway Docks and Long Walk, Galway Museum, Katie's Cottage, Saint Nicholas Church, Galway Cathedral, The University, NUIG, The National Aquarium, Salthill Village

Best time of day

Anytime of day.

Precautions

Wear comfortable rainproof clothing and bring bottled water. Please follow the suggested route and alight in pedestrian areas. Perhaps bring swim wear if you wish to brave the wild Atlantic at Salthill

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Questions and Reviews

4.4 / 5

17 Ratings

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A Guide to Galway by Bike

About the Tour

Tour Producer

Derek Spillane

Preview Location

Location 33

Katie's Cottage

How VoiceMap Works

Major Landmarks

Eyre Square

The Latin Quarter

Lynch's Castle

Saint Nicholas' Collegiate Church

Quay Street

The Long Walk

Galway City Museum

University of Galway

Galway Cathedral

Galways Westend

The Claddagh

Mutton Island

Salthill Prom

Blackrock Diving Board