Galway City Museum: All The Things You Need To Know

Galway City Museum, which is located behind the iconic Spanish Arch, has exhibitions that focus on the medieval town, the Claddagh settlement, and Galway from 1800 to 1950. It is one of the top things to do in Galway. 

The Museum also displays a range of exhibits from other museums, galleries, and special interest groups, as well as mounting temporary exhibitions.

The Claddagh, the Spanish Arch, the River Corrib, and Galway Bay can all be seen from the top of the museum building.

Galway City Museum: All The Things You Need To Know

Read on to find out more about Galway City Museum and its importance to Galway’s history. 

History of Galway City Museum 

In 1976, the Galway City Museum formally opened its doors to the public.

It was initially located in the historic Comerford House, a building donated to the Galway City Council for community care and purpose by the Comerford family.

The home was constructed in 1800 as a private residence for the Comerford and Greenwood families.

Between 1948 until 1954, Comerford House was home to Clare Consuelo Sheridan (1885–1970), a sculptor, journalist, and writer who was Sir Winston Churchill’s first cousin.

Before the Galway City Museum was established in 1976, the building was used as the administration offices of Galway Corporation.

Sheridan obtained a smattering of historic stones from the city, which became the foundation for the museum.

The museum’s general folklife, industrial, and militia collections were curated by Etienne Ryan, Michael Keaney, Bill Scanlan, and Jim Higgins. The Comerford House Museum, however, closed in 2004.

A new purpose-built museum facility was opened in April 2007 behind the previous museum at Comerford House. Galway City Council launched the new Galway City Museum project to promote Galway’s cultural and heritage life. 

The new museum is situated alongside the Spanish Arch, a protected structure that previously served as part of Galway’s protective medieval wall.

Between the museum and the Spanish Arch, the building’s design creates a plaza or square, which serves as a public gathering spot.

Things to see and do in Galway City Museum 

The Galway City Museum contains three floors of galleries that house a variety of permanent and temporary exhibitions, comprising over a thousand items.

The museum is an excellent place to learn about the city’s history and take a short trip back in time.

If you’re planning a trip here soon, these are some of the top things to do:

• On the first level, look at a 3D display of the 1651 Pictorial Map that depicts what Galway was like during the medieval period. 
• See new exhibitions such as Revolution in Galway 1913-1923, Galway & the Great War, and GAA: A History on the first  
• Know more about the 1916 Easter Rising through a series of temporary art exhibitions that explore topics related to these significant events in Irish history. 
• Examine the world’s oldest Claddagh Ring, which was just acquired by the Galway City Museum. This ring is believed to be from around the year 1700. Richard Joyce, a member of one of Galway’s Merchant tribes, owned it. 
• Learn about two prominent emblems of the city: the Padraic Conaire statue and the ‘Máirtn Oliver’, a traditional sailing vessel or Galway Hooker built specifically for the Museum. 
• See the Galway Civic Sword, which dates back to King James I’s Charter in 1610, is one of the museum’s unique attractions  
• Check out the Great Mace, a large piece of ornate silverwork produced in Dublin in 1710. This was presented 
• Relax at the top floor of the Galway City Museum building and enjoy breathtaking views of the Claddagh, the Spanish Arch, the River Corrib, and Galway Bay.

Visitors information for Galway City Musem

Opening Time

Tuesday to Saturday -10am-5 pm
Easter to end of September –12pm-5 pm

Admission Fee 

Free

Contact Information

Address: Spanish Parade, Galway H91 CX5P

Email:museum@galwaycity.ie

Phone:+353-091-532460

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