Galway City Museum

About the museum

The first Galway City Museum was founded in 1971 in Comerford House beside the Spanish Arch, once the home of the artist Clare Sheridan. It began with a collection of medieval stones that Sheridan had acquired from the city. That museum closed in 2004 and a new purpose-built building was constructed close by.

The present museum was designed by the Office of Public Works for Galway City Council and officially opened in April 2007, as part of the council’s drive to advance the cultural and heritage life of the city. It has since gained full accreditation from the Heritage Council’s Museum Standards Programme for Ireland.

The museum collects, preserves and displays Galway’s archaeology, history and sea science. Its permanent galleries include Keepers of the Gael, about the Gaelic learned families of 1200 to 1600, and Revolution in Galway, 1913–23, while changing exhibitions, events, workshops and online resources round out the programme.

Highlights

• Keepers of the Gael gallery on Gaelic poets, historians, lawyers and physicians
• Revolution in Galway, 1913–23 with films and objects
• Views over Galway Bay and a sensory space in the Monument exhibition
• Free entry next to the Spanish Arch

Permanent exhibitions

• Keepers of the Gael – Explores Gaelic society and culture between 1200 and 1600 through the learned families of historians, lawyers, physicians, poets and musicians.
• Revolution in Galway, 1913–23 – Shows how Galway took part in the revolutionary events that led to Irish independence, with objects and films.

Founded

1971

Operated by

Galway City Council

Visitors per year

approx. 161,558

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free and no booking is required; a donation of €5 is suggested.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is fully accessible with lifts, ramps and wide doors, and accessible toilets are on the ground floor. A manual wheelchair can be reserved free of charge and collected at reception, but staff cannot give assistance around the galleries. Mobility scooters are welcome (Class 3 vehicles should set the speed limiter to 4 mph). Accessible paid parking is available in the Jury’s Inn car park opposite and on Merchant’s Road, and there is a passenger drop-off area on Spanish Parade. A sensory space is part of the Monument exhibition, and large-print, high-contrast label booklets are available for some galleries.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

Families can download activity sheets in English and Irish for toddlers and teenagers, a Tiny Treasure Hunt and colouring sheets, and the museum runs family workshops. Pushchairs can be taken around the museum, and baby changing facilities are in some of the toilets.

Getting there & parking

There is a passenger drop-off area on Spanish Parade next to the Spanish Arch.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The Education Room can be hired from time to time, usually Tuesday to Saturday 10:00 to 16:00; community and cultural groups pay €100 for a half day or €150 for a day, and corporate users €150 or €300.

Plan your visit