Home > Counties > Co. Galway > Claregalway

Claregalway, Co. Galway

Claregalway (Irish: Baile Chláir na Gaillimhe or Baile an Chláir) is a village situated about 10km from the city of Galway. It was founded on the banks of the River Clare, hence the derivation of its name: Baile Chláir na Gaillimhe meaning "town on the Clare, in Galway". Baile an Chláir lies within the Gaeltacht and traditionally most of the locals would have only spoken English as a second language. An influx of new residents over the last thirty years has meant that most residents now rarely, if ever, speak Irish.

The ruins of a Franciscan abbey built by John de Cogan in 1290 were one of the most beautiful of its kind in the country. The church consists of nave, choir, north aisle and transept, surmounted by a graceful tower, of which parts remain in good state of preservation. The archers under the tower are particularly beautiful, as are the windows and arcades. The old castle near by, with its massive square tower, was built by the de Burghs

Baile an Chláir hosts an annual drama festival and is home to numerous sporting clubs. Claregalway Parish is one of the largest in the county and includes a number of townlands (small clusters of houses) some of the bigger being Carnmore, Lydican, Lough George and Cregboy. Lydican is notable as the origin of the Irish ancestors (Patrick Lynch) of Che Guevara.

Gardens

Ardcarraig

Galway City, Co. Galway

There is nothing quite like Ardcarraig, perhaps because people don’t try to garden in such apparently inhospitable spots among the rocks and heather. Yet the sights to be seen in this 5 acres of hillside where Lorna McMahon has developed he ...

View all Read on

Golf

Glenlo Abbey Golf Club

Galway City, Co. Galway
Course Type: Parkland

This unique 9 Hole Double Green Golf Course offers a challenging test to all golfers. A lake side golf course, although fair to the beginner can also be a great test to the low handicapper. With the many lakes, trees, large greens, and the wi ...

View all Read on

Self Catering

Railway Cottage

Oughterard, Co. Galway

Railway Lodge is an exceptional country home, in the heart of Western Ireland's Connemara mountainous region. It takes its name from the nearby disused Galway to Clifden railway which closed in 1936. It was 60 years later, in 1996, that the Lodge ...

View all Read on

What's On

The Village Market - Oughterard, Co Galway

Tuesdays 10am-6pm

Location: Keoghs Yard,Oughterard

Contact:

email obavillagemarket@gmail.com

View all Read on

Tourist Attractions

Athenry Castle

Athenry, Co. Galway

Meiler de Bermingham built Athenry Castle c.1250, it is a large rectangular building originally containing only a hall at first-floor level and dark storerooms at ground level, the oldest part of the castle is the hall-keep. The fine carvi ...

View all Read on

Wedding Venues

the g Hotel & Spa

Galway City, Co. Galway

An unimpressive facade gives no indication of the g’s stunning interior: Philip Treacy, given carte blanche to indulge his quirky creativity, gave the western capital a stunning 5 star hotel. Eyecatching colour combinations, lighting, f ...

View all Read on