Galway

Crowned by a pyramidal spire, the Collegiate Church of St Nicholas of Myra is Ireland's largest medieval parish church still in use. — Lonely Planet

Contains materials relating to local history: old photographs, antiquities. — Fodor's

On a rock north of Kinvara Bay, the 16th-century Dunguaire Castle spectacularly commands all the approaches to Galway Bay. — Fodor's

A calm and peaceful spot, it's especially appealing to church lovers. — Fodor's

The façade of this impressive medieval manor (15C), now home to the Allied Irish Bank, sports finely carved gargoyles, hood mouldings above the windows and the coat of arms of Henry VII. — Michelin Guide

The Spanish Arch is thought to be an extension of Galway's medieval city walls, designed to protect ships moored at the nearby quay while they unloaded goods from Spain. — Lonely Planet

James Joyce's wife Nora Barnacle (1884–1951) lived here until shortly before they met in Dublin in 1904. — Lonely Planet

Located a little more than 50 miles northwest of Galway, the more than 7,000-acre Connemara National Park offers stunning views of bogs, heaths and moors, as well as great hikes. — U.S. News & World Report

Eyre Square on the east side of the River Corrib incorporates a sculpture garden and children's play area on its east side, while its west side is bound by a heavily traveled road. — Fodor's

Boasts a 2-mile-long promenade, which is a popular place to take a stroll. Below the walkway is a beach, lauded by recent visitors for its cleanliness...Salthill, which is home to all sorts of shops. — U.S. News & World Report

The bridge, built in 1819, links the old prison to the law courts. Upstream lies the salmon weir after which the bridge was named. — Michelin Guide