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Fáilte. Welcome to Galway City Museum

Opening Times

Tuesday to Saturday, 10am – 5pm

Sundays (Easter to mid-Sept), 12pm - 5pm

Admission is FREE

No booking required

Suggested donation €5

Closed Christmas Day, St Stephen’s Day, St Patrick’s Day & Good Friday

Galleries close at 4:45pm

Plan Your Visit
What’s on

Exhibitions

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Survivor Stories

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Faces of Galway, 1988-89 by Suzanne Ahearne

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Earth Action

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Visitor Guide

Plan your visit and make the most of your time at Galway City Museum, whether it’s your first trip, a family day out, a school visit, or an exploration of Galway’s rich heritage.

Your journey begins here

First Time Visitor

Find everything you need to know before your visit, from opening hours and location to accessibility, tours, and what to expect when you arrive.

Plan Your Visit
Fun for all ages

Families

Discover family-friendly exhibitions, hands-on activities, and special events that bring Galway’s history to life for children and adults alike.

Family Activities
Learning beyond the classroom

Educators

Book a guided tour or school workshop designed to inspire curiosity and connect students with Galway’s culture, art, and heritage.

Schools & Groups
Dive deeper into Galway’s past

Explore more..

Explore our exhibitions, uncover hidden histories, and experience the stories that shaped Galway, from medieval walls to maritime adventures.

Explore the Museum
Everything you need to know

Plan Your Visit

Find directions, opening hours, admission details, and accessibility information to help make your visit to Galway City Museum easy and enjoyable.

Learn More
Museum Blog

Scéalta

Explore the stories and experiences at Galway City Museum

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The Resurrection of Rocky DeValera and the Gravediggers

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Recent Acquisition: Watercolour by Francis William Topham (1808-1877)

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New exhibition on Tuam and Ireland’s Institutional Past opens at Galway City Museum

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‘Homecoming’ for Galway Chalices After a Century

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Galway City Council Announces Museum Lates as Part of Galway’s Night-Time Economy Programme

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Inside Earth Action: Artist Róisín Coyle in Her Own Words

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Discover

Events

Explore the stories and experiences at Galway City Museum

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Have Your Say: Join a Research Ireland Barometer Focus Group at Galway City Museum

How does research show up in your everyday life? Research Ireland wants to hear from you as part of the Research in Ireland Barometer 2026, ...

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ART WORKSHOP: The Galway Shawl – for Parents and Toddlers

In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, a type of shawl, mainly manufactured in Paisley, Scotland, became so popular in the west of Ireland ...

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ART WORKSHOP: The Galway Shawl – for Parents and Toddlers

In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, a type of shawl, mainly manufactured in Paisley, Scotland, became so popular in the west of Ireland ...

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MUSEUM LATES

Galway City Council’s Museum Lates is part of Galway’s Night-Time Economy Programme. The initiative extends Museum opening hours on the last Thursday of every month ...

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Silent Saturdays

Silent Saturdays are sensory-friendly mornings at Galway City Museum, designed to offer a calmer and more comfortable visit for neurodivergent visitors, people with sensory differences, ...

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CULTURE NIGHT: Tráidisiún Áitiúil – Amhráin agus Ceol

Celebrate Culture Night 2026 at Galway City Museum with a packed programme of free events, including live music, storytelling and a guided walking tour of ...

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What our Visitors Say

My adult son (20) and I visited the museum and enjoyed it very much. It is very orientated to give you clear information through a good mixture of expiation material. The views from the museum out over the bay are a good reminder as you make your way around of the geography of the area. The staff are friendly and helpful. I was also impressed that they had a sensory room for children which is a nice touch and makes the museum inclusive.
DublinIrelandPeter TripAdvisor
The museum was way more comprehensive than I expected. It covered so many areas of local history with wonderful displays and multimedia presentations. It was not at all crowded, but very well situated. I would recommend the museum to anyone visiting Galway who has an interest in Irish history.
stevefS6058RN TripAdvisor
Really great way to learn about the history of Galway -- as with most places the staff were incredibly friendly and walking around and seeing how the city developed was great. A large part is set aside to cover the rising against the British and some of the atrocities committed by the British --- videos play with expert historians recounting what happened in an objective way -- it tears at your heart when you hear how a young mother was killed. Going to Galway, this is a must.
NC-GBTripAdvisor
We were visiting the Spanish Arch area and decided to visit the Museum nearby. The feature were the Aran Islands and I wish we had visited the Museum before we visited the Islands. It was very informative. If you plan a trip to the Islands, visit here first. It will make your trip that much better.
Butch OTripAdvisor
Wonderful museum that really connects you to the history of Galway and Ireland. A mix of historical artifacts and crafts a well as traditional art. The layout and displays are varied and creative, and there are videos, 3D maps, and an underwater submarine area that children and adults will find delightful. The delivery of information has purpose and imagination, and it makes learning about history absolutely fascinating.
Sarah BlumGoogle Review
This was a super interesting and diverse museum. It covers the history of the region (including the islands), Irish independence and there is also an expo on the sea. I spent at least an hour and a half here, the information displayed is so rich and detailed. There is a small viewing deck on the last floor which is wonderful. I learned a lot and would recommend it to everyone that visits Galway.
Natalia N - Local GuideGoogle Review
A museum that’s modern, informative and celebrates the culture and history of Galway and the rest of Ireland. It’s free to enter and is a good place to see. There’s quite a lot on display here ranging from samples dating from Ireland’s ancient past to materials dating to the last century. Absolutely brilliant!
Jordan Kevin MagtaanGoogle Review
A really lovely museum - it's small, but that doesn't detract from it at all. There's a lot of thought put into the displays and it gives both a good overview broad Irish/atlantic history and more specifically local history. Kudos to the curators for a fantastic experience.
Emily KGoogle Review

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Galway City Museum
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Easter Hours

 Galway City Museum will open Sundays, 12pm – 5pm commencing Easter Sunday 5 April 2026.