Shop Street, Galway Live Cam

The fresh sea air coming in from the Atlantic is so invigorating, it makes you want to get out and be part of the landscape. There are hundreds of places to visit and thousands of things to do, from dawn to dusk - visit some of the many literary landmarks; explore Irelandıs finest historic buildings, listen to the best traditional music or explore the landscape that inspired it. Wherever you go, whatever you do, you'll leave Galway refreshed and full of happy memories.

With its craggy coastline, gentle river valleys and rugged, purple mountains, Galway is a walker's heaven. Whichever part of the county you stay in, there are excellent walks to be had, whether you're a stroller, an ambler, a hiker or a climber, all amid the most spectacular scenery. Here are just some of the walks you can enjoy in Galway:

The Western Way - At 28km, the Western Way is a bit much for one day, so take a few days over it. From Oughterard, on the Shore of Lough Corrib, the Western Way heads west into the heart of Connemara, looping around the famous Maanturk mountains and descending on the north coast, along Ireland's only fjord in Killary Harbour. On the way, you can marvel at the glorious sight of the Twelve Bens.

Island Walking - The Galway coast is scattered with islands, though only a handful are inhabited. All three of the famous Aran islands can be reached by air and sea and offer chance to explore the traditional Irish way of life plus a wealth of historic and prehistoric sites, including Europe's most spectacular Celtic forts. Further north you'll find the islands of Inishbofin which can be reached by boat from the fishing port of Cleggan and Omey, which you can reach on foot at low tide. Though much smaller, these islands make a great day's walk, with spectacular views of the wild Atlantic, rich in seals, dolphins and diving gannets.

The Twelve Bens - Many walkers devote a whole holiday to climbing the Twelve Bens which rise abruptly like miniature Alps out of the Connemara plain. They make a simply great week's walking. The peaks are close together, giving you a variety of hidden valleys to explore at your leisure. Turn any corner and you'll have a different view to enjoy!

Wherever you go in Galway city, you'll find music. Whether it's a traditional session in one of the famous public houses, such as Tígh Neachtain's, which was Richard Martin's townhouse, or the most modern club sounds, Galway has it all. Naturally, Galway people are great talkers, too, so you'll never be at a loss for company. Enjoy fine dining in a cornucopia of restaurants, stunning stage presentations at the theatre, or perhaps a delightful poetry reading, especially during the Cúirt International Literature Festival. Galway offers every activity you could ask of an enjoyable evening. Watch swans go by on the river by the Spanish Arch. Sit in a snug with a few friends. Learn to eat oysters with the locals. At night, Galway truly comes alive.

The streets are buzzing. It's a Saturday afternoon in Galway. If you want fine Irish hand cut crystal, a traditional Aran sweater, or fishing tackle for a spot of angling, it's all here. If you want marble, you'll find it. World famous Connemara marble has been exported from Galway for 6,000 years. Visit Galway's book shops and galleries; while you browse, you might see photographs of famous writers who have come here to give readings, or just to buy books by other people. The latest records, catwalk fashions, traditional Irish pottery after a busy day shopping, you can sip a cafe latte in a trendy bistro, or enjoy a quiet pint in a cool, hidden pub.

Galway is the cultural heart of Ireland. Wherever you go, across the county, you'll find music, art, sculpture, crafts, literature and poetry. For natives of Galway, performing and creating are a way of life, something they're born with. It's not unusual to find people from all walks of life gathering to play music in pubs or restaurants after a day's work. In addition, artists, musicians, writers and craftspeople have been attracted to Galway from all over the world. The result is a cosmoplitan, cultural melting pot, with a uniquely Galway atmosphere.

The legends abound. How Grace O'Malley sailed these waters as a Sea Captain of her clan, though she was considered a pirate by Elizabeth 1. How the Spanish Armada foundered off the coast. And how the local people, steadfast through it all, preserved their heritage and prospered into the present day. But history is everywhere. The Spanish Arch. The Tribes of Galway. The Island way of life. For all that's modern about Galway, as in any great city, it's been built on a rich and dramatic history of real people whose descendants today carry on the traditions of crafts, music, the arts and a way of life steeped in the ways of their forbears, but with an eye on the Europe of tomorrow. Explore the story of Galway in the many historic sites and museums. You'll come away intrigued, viewing your stay here in a new light.

The old aristocracy may exist now only in memory, but some of their dwellings remain as reminders of a time when everything was different. The Big House of Irish antiquity was a very real feature of life in times past. Places of interest include O'Flaherty and Cromwellian castles, on the islands, Yeats' birthplace in Gort, and Lady Gregory's residence, which now hosts an annual commemoration of this icon of the Celtic Twilight. Aughnanure Castle, dating from 1500 in Oughterard is an imposing edifice. As you travel around the county, you'll encounter these historic places, bringing you back to an age of grandeur and giving you a small taste of how the other half lived, a long time ago.

To visitors, it would seem that Galway is always having a party of some sort. Perhaps it's the nature of the people, or perhaps it's the fact that Galway holds more festivals through the year than any other town or county in Ireland. Some people plan their visit so that they can arrive in time for their favourite event, others prefer to take pot luck and join in whatever festival is going on. Whichever way you plan your visit, you won't be disappointed. With music, poetry, food and walking festivals, Ireland's cultural heart beats all year round.

As a conference destination, Galway offers the best of all worlds. A full spectrum of hotels is available, providing the peace and seclusion essential for a truly focused conference, seminar or convention. Leisure, however, is where Galway really comes into her own which goes to explain why the county is increasingly popular for incentive travellers. There can be no better place for personnel who have reached and exceeded business targets to get away from it all and enjoy their success.

Galway's place in Irish theatre goes back to the 18th century when Richard Martin and Wolfe Tone established its first theatre, in Kirwan's Lane, in the mediaeval quarter. Lady Gregory, one of the key figures of the Irish literary revival, lived at Coole Park near the town of Gort, where literary luminaries as George Bernard Shaw, W.B. Yeats and George 'AE' Russell were often her guests. In recent years Galway's thriving theatre scene, led by The Druid Theatre Company, has given rise to some of Ireland's most exciting contemporary drama, and produced some of our finest actors, including Mick Lally and Sean McGinley. Galway is also home to the only Irish language theatre in Ireland, the Taibhdearc.