Oddball Tour: Galway Hooker – The City Walking Tour Experience [Duration: 1 Day]
Though not a tour of a red light district (sorry to disappoint), this alternative tour of the City of the Tribes exploring some gems hidden in plain sight makes for an interesting day providing a different perspective on the Capital of Culture 2020
12:00
Start off your day in Galway with a quick dip at Blackrock Diving Tower, an iconic Salthill structure and a ‘must do’ for visitors to Galway, followed by a token “kick the wall” motion at the end of the Prom before crossing the road for a coffee at Tom’s orange Barista Bus
12:30
Pop into Leisureland to check out the Old Salthill photo exhibition curated by Tom Kenny, well-known for his long-running and popular local-history column, Old Galway, in the Galway Advertiser. These photographs were taken over a period of about 100 years. In the mid-nineteenth century, Salthill was known as a wholesome if uninteresting place to be visited for the fresh air and for the water.
13:15
Pay homage to Galway’s version of Fawlty Towers, The Burrenmount, once upon a time the (cheap & cheerful) hotel of choice for young star crossed lovers after a night out back when Salthill was the hip going out spot, but now one of Salthill’s most enigmatic and mysterious structures, generally viewed as an eyesore by locals and an inspiration for an electronica album and many online conspiracy threads.
13:30
Warm up with a cuppa or Galway Hooker (to be clear, a beer) @ the recently renovated Oslo once visited by Johnny Cash & June Carter. Before you leave try some proper Irish poitín @ Micil Distillery.
14:00
Take “The Shortest Walking Tour of Ireland” by the fireside at O'Connors Pub with Galway character Brian Nolan, where he will whisk you off on a magical journey through Ireland's history and culture using the priceless collection of historical artefacts that give this wonderful 300 year old pub such unique and authentic character. Interesting Fact: Ed Sheeran filmed part of the video for his hit song Galway Girl starring Oscar nominated actress Saoirse Ronan in the pub. A chance to sneak in a sneaky drink while you’re there!
15:00
And now for an actual walking tour of the city (Pick & Mix – Follow the map route provided. Recommended 5-20 minutes per stop.)
→ Walk the plank and do a “blink and you’ll miss it” tour of around the Fisheries Tower museum. Known as the Fishery Watchtower and also as the Tower Station, it’s no GOT Watchtower but is the only building of its kind in the whole country. Dilapidated & at risk of demo until recently renovated.
→ Pop into the Tiny Traders Village @ Aras na nGael and check out their eclectic collection of wares for sale with everything from whiskey lamps to biscuit box guitars (a COO-JO = mix of Banjo and Cookie)
→ Call into childhood home of Nora Barnacle, divilment filled muse of controversial writer James Joyce
→ Culture yourself and take in a MOMA style exhibition albeit on a much smaller scale at 126 Artist-Run Gallery
→ Visit one of the most historic cemeteries in Galway – Forthill. At first the site of the slaughter of hundreds of shipwrecked Spaniards.
→ Join the 2 wild…e ones for an earnest conversation and photo opp. Like no-one ever.
→ Looking for Apple accessories? No? Doesn’t matter. Call into CompuB anyway. If it’s good enough for Stevie Wonder. No joke.
→ What links Julia Roberts, Walt Disney & Liam Gallagher? Visit this tiny museum and learn about the legendary Claddagh ring and its groupies.
→ We’re back to the hooker. No, not a prostitute or beer, this time a boat. Keep up. Find out about the 4 types at Galway City Museum.
→ Though the S.H.I.T.E. plaque has long since been removed, and the Che Guevara monument wasn’t a runner, you can go and depending on your political leanings, admire or look upon in disdain, a somewhat random tribute to Christopher Columbus.
17:00
Oh hear ye, hear ye. Make your way to meet with registered Town Crier Liam Silke, one of Galway's best loved characters & raconteurs for a mini tour around the city centre to hear some older stories about Galway. A favourite being the one about the monkey and the baby!
18:00
What do you get when you mix hipster joint and an old man pub together? Trad music sessions in a flying double-decker bus slash pizzeria. I give you Carroll’s on Dominick Street and a chance to venture into the arty farty side of town, the West End.
19:00
At this point the tour will finish up and suggest you stop off at the Spanish Arch aka Buckfast Plaza and go bushing with the locals where it is customary to buy a bottle of Buckie. Sláinte!