All Heritage Sites in Co. Galway

Set in the Connemara mountains is Kylemore Abbey, a beautiful neo-Gothic Castle. Built by the English industrialist Mitchell Henry in 1868, visitors to the three reception rooms in the Abbey are touched by its history steeped in romance and tragedy. Kylemore Castle was sold to Benedictine nuns fleeing war-torn Belgium in 1920 and the Castle became an Abbey. The Community Read more...

Drawing their inspiration from the landscape and culture of the Gaeltacht of Connemara, the crafts people who work, display and sell their products at the Spiddal Craft Centre produce a range of handcrafted quality products which is representative of this area. Visitors can observe the crafts in the making and chat with the master craftspeople in the individual studios. The Read more...

Visit Teach an Phiarsaigh, the cottage where Patrick Pearse, writer, educator and leader of the 1916 Rising, spent his summers. Explore Pearse’s historical and cultural legacy. Interactive exhibition in the new visitor centre brings to life the unique landscape, language and culture of southern Connemara that inspired Pearse’s work, Scenic looped walk through the Connemara bog from the visitor centre Read more...

Perched spectacularly on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic ocean, this is the largest of the prehistoric stone forts of the Aran Islands. It is enclosed by three massive dry-stone walls and a “chevaux-de-frise” consisting of tall blocks of limestone set vertically into the ground to deter attackers. The fort is about 900m from the Visitor Centre and is approached over Read more...

Built by the O’Flahertys c. 1500, Aughnanure Castle lies in picturesque surroundings close to the shores of Lough Corrib. Standing on what is virtually a rocky island, the Castle is a particularly well-preserved example of an Irish tower house. In addition, visitors will find the remains of a banqueting hall, a watch tower, an unusual double bawn and bastions and Read more...