Cead Mile Failte go Gallimh, Welcome to Galway, The City of the Tribes.

My name is Derek Spillane and I'm a Failte Ireland accredited Tour Guide. Galway is such a vibrant city and I can’t wait...

Keep cycling, following the street as it curves around to the left.

Please take the next turn right up ahead. We are cycling to the docks area of the city.

Firstly a little information about modern Galway. Galway City is Ireland’s fastest-growing city. It’s a yo...

Turn left and continue following the road as it curves around the shoreline, to the right.

I'll tell you about the origins of the city's medieval walls.

The Normans invaded Ireland in 1169 an...

As you come around the corner, pull over and find a safe spot by the river.

I want to point out a few places of interest and we’ll discuss the development of the Docks area and the Claddagh Basi...

Let's keep cycling and discuss a little more.

The Long Walk was constructed on land reclaimed from the sea. It was once a hive of activity where nets and ropes were repaired.

Adjacent the Do...

Please stop here and dismount from your bicycle, this is a pedestrian zone.

Directly in front of you is the Spanish Arch. Make your way over to it for a closer look.

This is an extension of ...

Let's stop here a moment to talk about this monument and take in the fabulous view.

This sculpture was presented to Galway by the city of Genoa on the 500th Anniversary of the discovery of the ...

Once across, turn right, then mount your bicycle and take the next left, into Flood Street. Our next stop is Cross Street, the heart of the Latin Quarter. Let’s go!

Stop here at the junction with Cross Street and dismount from your bicycle as this is a pedestrian precinct.

Turn left into Cross Street and keep going.

You are now walking through the vibran...

Stop at the corner.

We are now in the heart of the Latin Quarter.

Ahead on the left is Dillion's Jeweller, one of the oldest Claddagh Ring makers in the city.

The Claddagh Ring is a uniq...

Stop here, where it safe to do so and you don't obstruct pedestrians. I'll tell you about Tig Neachtain's.

The pub was originally the townhouse of Richard Martin. The Martins were large landowne...

Coming up on your right is the Church of Saint Nicholas. Please dismount from your bicycle and make your way up the laneway to the South Porch entrance. There I'll tell more about this site, one of...

Stop here in front of the entrance to the church.

The church was founded by the Knight's Templar in 1320 and is dedicated to Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of Mariners and children. Take a loo...

Stop here in front of the stone ruins on your right, when it’s safe to do so.

This is the Lynch Memorial Window, and I'll tell you an infamous tale which involved one of the city's Mayors, Jame...

Turn left onto Abbeygate Street Upper and keep going.

The River Corrib will be on your left. Careful of merging traffic. You'll be turning left onto Salmon Weir Bridge, just ahead.

We are coming up to the Salmon Weir Bridge. When you're ready, cross over the bridge.

Once across the bridge, coming into view on your left is the Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed in Heaven and Saint Nicholas. Stop for a moment to take a look at it when it's safe to do so.

The cathe...

Turn right up ahead to continue on University Road, over the small bridge.

Up ahead is NUIG, turn right into the grounds and keep going.

Ahead of you, to the left, is the entrance porch to the Quadrangle. Make your way over to it. There I'll discuss the university and its foundations.

If the entrance to the Quadrangle is open, feel free to make your way in to have a look around. Otherwise please wait here.

Construction began in 1845 and the first 68 students enrolled in 1849....

Follow the road around to the right and keep going.

Many famous people have graced the halls of NUIG, including singer Eyna, actors Gabriel Byrne, Fionnula Flanagan and Martin Sheen. Honorary do...

Take a left up ahead onto the Michael O Shaughnessy bridge.

Stop for a moment on the Michael O Shaughnessy bridge.

It's named in honor of the esteemed engineering graduate who emigrated to America in 1885 before overseeing some of the world's most iconic...

Now turn right onto University Road and retrace your route back over the bridge, towards NUIG.

Take the left at Ward's Sandwich Bar after the bridge and continue onto Canal Road.

The area on your left is Nun's Island. Continue cycling along the canal and we'll discuss how the area got its name.

It's called Nuns Island because it is where the Convent of the Poor Clares is...

We are now at the Ellington Canal. Stop here for a moment.

The canal was constructed between 1850 and 1852 with the purpose of connecting Lough Corrib with the sea. The project also sought to cr...

Continuing cycling past Munroe's Pub and towards the traffic lights. Keep in the right lane and continue straight through the junction and up the hill ahead. We are on our way to the Claddagh and K...

Up ahead join the right hand lane and after the traffic continue straight through the junction and up the hill onto Fairhill Road Lower. We going to the Claddagh area of the city to visit Katies' C...

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...

Keep cycling.

The fishing industry experienced a dramatic downturn towards the end of the 19th century. There were several reasons including the traditional method of line fishing and drift fish...

When you arrive at the top of the street, cross Grattan Road, and stop on the other side. You will see the Causeway and Lighthouse directly in front of you.

Stop here a moment.

The position of Mutton Island at the mouth of the River made it strategically important. The Parliamentarian forces of Oliver Cromwell captured the island when the laid sieg...

Ahead on your left is the entrance for the Famine Memorial and access to fabulous views. Make your way to it.

Stop here next to the monument.

It's dedicated to Celia Griffin, one child of many who died on the streets of Galway during the famine.

The potato was introduced from the Americas to Ireland by Sir Walter Raleigh in the 1500s....

When you're ready to move on, to rejoin Grattan Road follow the same path you used to get to the monument.

Turn left back onto Grattan Road and keep going, towards Salthill Village.

The road is named after the family who owned the land before being purchased by the Urban Council. The road was dubbed ...

Turn left up ahead onto Salthill Promenade and keep going.

Keep going.

The landscape on the other side of Galway bay to your left is known as the Burren and is in Co. Clare. The unique landscape was awarded UNESCO Global Geo Park status in 2011 and cons...

At the roundabout, take the first left and keep cycling. We are heading toward the Blackrock Diving Tower.

Keep going towards our final stop.

The village of Salthill experienced a great deal of development with boarding houses and pubs springing up along the strip in the latter part of the 19th and e...

Up ahead on your left is our final destination, Blackrock Diving Tower, the Wild Atlantic, and stunning views of the Burren Hills across the bay.

Stop here at the entrance to the Blackrock diving tower, our final stop.

There were two small villages located close to Blackrock at Cappanaveagh and Ballynacarrickadoo. However, these cottages...