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Images of Galway

The following is a gallery of images taken around Galway and the West of Ireland by various photographers. We recommend that you also review the work by active local photographers Todd Parker, Monasette and Sean McCormack.

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Merry-go-round at Galway Christmas Market, 20 Nov 2010.	Late May 2010 brought peacock-hued swirls of blue and green to the North Atlantic. The iridescent waters formed a giant arc hundreds of kilometers across, extending from west of Ireland to the Bay of Biscay. The MODIS instrument on NASA's Terra satellite captured this natural-color image on May 22, 2010. The vibrant colors are from tiny organisms, phytoplankton, that grow explosively in the North Atlantic in the spring and summer. Phytoplankton require nutrients to reproduce, and phytoplankton blooms are often tied to events that bring nutrients to the ocean surface, such as dust plumes. Volcanic ash can also contribute nutrients for phytoplankton blooms. MODIS acquired this image after weeks of eruptive activity at Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull Volcano. One might wonder whether ash provided fertilizer for this bloom. In this case, the answer is probably no. The North Atlantic Ocean already contains plenty of iron, and these waters experience massive phytoplankton blooms every spring and summer.	Dublin, Wednesday 10th March 2010: The Taoiseach, Brian Cowen TD, along with representatives from the Volvo Ocean Race, Failte Ireland and Let's Do It Galway, today welcomed the announcement that Galway has been selected as the finishing port for the 2011-12 Volvo Ocean race. Pictured were John Killeen, President, Lets Do It Global, Knut Frostad, CEO, Volvo Ocean Race, Enda O'Coineen, Chairman, Lets Do It Global and Redmond O'Donoghue, Chairperson, Failte Ireland. Picture Jason Clarke	Galway cathedral (thermal IR image)	Ericsson 3, skippered by Magnus Olsson (SWE) finish seventh on leg 7 from Boston to Galway, crossing the line at 05:58:59 GMT 24/05/09 The Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09 will be the 10th running of this ocean marathon. Starting from Alicante in Spain, on 4 October 2008, it will, for the first time, take in Cochin, India, Singapore and Qingdao, China before finishing in St Petersburg, Russia for the first time in the history of the race. Spanning some 37,000 nautical miles, visiting 11 ports over nine months, the Volvo Ocean Race is the world's premier ocean yacht race for professional racing crews.
Grinding in rough weather, onboard Green Dragon, on leg 6 of the Volvo Ocean Race, from Rio de Janeiro to Boston. Credit: Guo Chuan/Green Dragon Racing/Volvo Ocean Race	Panorama of the Long Walk by John Smyth. Read related blog post.	Galway Harbour oil tanks gone in peparation for the Volvo Ocean Race hospitality village. Photo by: John Smyth.	There was no snow on the Maamturks but the combination of frost and strong winds caused beautiful frosted patterns and ice fronds along the path to the summit near Mameen and Leaba Padraig (reputedly a spot once visited by St. Patrick). Photo by: John Smyth.	Sunrise in the Lough Inagh valley on Saturday morning - the Twelve Bens range of mountains are in the background, dusted in snow. Photo by: Photo by John Smyth.
Only two oil tanks remain: demolition of the tanks progress on schedule. The site will be used for the Volvo Ocean Race 2009 hospitality village.	Dunguaire Castle by John Quinn	Macnas 'Apocolopolis' street parade, Sunday evening, 21 July 2008	Grand finale of Macnas 'Apocolopolis' street parade, Sunday evening, 21 July 2008	Macnas preview of Apocolopolis street parade due to be held Sunday evening 10pm 20 July 2008. Photo: Todd Parker.
Street artist at work in Quay Street, Galway (1 July 2000)	Eyre Square, 3 July 2008	Eyre Square Flowers, 3 July 2008	Pat's Bar, Westport, Co. Mayo	27 April 2008. Abbey Hill near New Quay. Photo by John Smyth.
Cottage, Inishmore, Co. Galway	Meadow, Inishmore, Co. Galway	Mural painted on a derelict building in Ennistymon, Co. Clare.	Dunguaire Castle near Kinvara, Co. Galway.	A 'trad' session at Gus O'Connors Pub, Doolin, Co. Clare.
Ennistymon waterfall	Seabird perched on a ship moored near Clifden, Co. Galway. Photo: Joe Desbonnet	Rusting port hole of ship moored near Clifden, Co. Galway. Photo: Joe Desbonnet.	Lake on N59 Clifden / Galway road.	Boats on the shores of Lough Corrib near Oughterard. Photo: Joe Desbonnet.
Saint Patrick's Day Parade 2008. Image credit: North Atlantic Skyline.	Saint Patrick's Day Parade 2008. Image credit: North Atlantic Skyline.	Saint Patrick's Day Parade 2008. Image credit: North Atlantic Skyline.	Aughnanure Castle. Image credit: North Atlantic Skyline.	Part of the Twelve Bens mountain range in Connemara, photographed on a glorious Good Friday, 2007. Image credit: North Atlantic Skyline.
Eyre Square Fountain	Saint Patrick's Day Parade 2008, Galway. Photo: Todd Parker.	Saint Patrick's Day Parade 2008, Galway. Photo: Todd Parker.	Saint Patrick's Day Parade 2008, Galway. Photo: Todd Parker.	Saint Patrick's Day Parade 2008, Galway. Photo: Todd Parker.
Saint Patrick's Day Parade 2008, Galway. Photo: Todd Parker.	Saint Patrick's Day Parade 2008, Galway. Photo: Todd Parker.	Saint Patrick's Day Parade 2008, Galway. Photo: Todd Parker.	Saint Patrick's Day Parade 2008, Galway. Photo: Todd Parker.	Saint Patrick's Day Parade 2008, Galway. Photo: Todd Parker.
Saint Patrick's Day Parade 2008, Galway. Photo: Todd Parker.	Saint Patrick's Day Parade 2008, Galway. Photo: Todd Parker.	Saint Patrick's Day Parade 2008, Galway. Photo: Todd Parker.	Crib (Augustinian Church), Christmas 2007. Photo: Luc Desbonnet.	Crib (Oranmore Church), Christmas 2007. Photo: Luc Desbonnet.
Cliffs of Moher at dusk	Cliffs of Moher at dusk	O'Brien's Castle at the Cliffs of Moher	Cliffs of Moher at sunset	Poulnabrone Dolmen (The Burren, Co. Clare) at sunset
Poulnabrone Dolmen at sunset	A cyclist braving the snow and biting wind on Friday morning on Salthill Promenade in Galway. Photo: North Atlantic Skyline.	25 Dec 2007. Not the warmest day at Salthill, but one of the most popular! The Christmas Day Swim. Photo: Joe Desbonnet.	17 Dec 2007. Silver Strand at Sunrise. Photo: North Atlantic Skyline.	2 Dec 2007. Stormy Waters (photo: North Atlantic Skyline)
Saint Augustine's Well at Lough Atalia. 2 Sep 2007. Dawn Walk. Photo: North Atlantic Skyline.	18 Oct 2007. Dawn Walk. Photo: North Atlantic Skyline.	Galway Harbour. Photo: North Atlantic Skyline.	Italian Theatre Company TPO performed "The Japanese Garden" in the Town Hall Theatre, Galway as part of the Baboró International Arts Festival for Children 2007. Photo by Todd Parker for Baboró.	Danish theatre company det lilleturnéteater performing "Kling Klang" as part of Baboró International Arts Festival for Children 2007, at the Black Box in Galway. Photo by Todd Parker for Baboró.
Scottish Dance Company YDance performing "Corryvreckan" at the Town Hall Theatre in Galway as part of Baboró International Festival for Children '07. Photo by Todd Parker for Baboró.	Galway Arts Festival: Bulls. Photo: Todd Parker.	Galway Arts Festival Macnas Parade 2007	Galway Arts Festival Macnas Parade 2007	Galway Arts Festival Macnas Parade 2007
Galway Arts Festival Macnas Parade 2007	Galway Arts Festival Macnas Parade 2007	Galway Arts Festival Macnas Parade 2007	Mr Big. Photo Todd Parker.	Macnas Arts Festival Parade 2007 Dress Rehearsal. Photo Todd Parker.
Macnas Arts Festival Parade 2007 Dress Rehearsal. Photo Todd Parker.	Macnas Arts Festival Parade 2007 Dress Rehearsal. Photo Todd Parker.	Macnas Arts Festival Parade 2007 Dress Rehearsal. Photo Todd Parker.	17 June 2007: Stairs on oil tanks at Galway Docks	Noon 3 May 2007. Ireland basks in sunshine! This satellite image is a rare glimpse of the isle of Ireland without any cloud cover. A phytoplankton bloom can been seen in the Atlantic off the west coast. Phytoplankton are microscopic plants that grow in the sunlit surface waters of the ocean. When enough of the plants grow in one place, the bloom can be seen as blue-green swirls in a normally black ocean. Photo: ESA.
26 April 2007. New census statistics from the Central Statistics Office shows that Galway is the fastest growing city in Ireland. This map illustrates the change in population between the 2002 and 2006 census.	Saturday 22 April 2007. Sliabh Aughty hills on fire - furze, grass and heather burn fiercely in east Galway yesterday. Photo credit: North Atlantic Skyline. Sean McCormack has another good photo of the fire here.	The light of the sun - Lesser Celandines (ranunculus ficaria, aka pilewort) in bloom in woodland in Co. Clare. Photo: North Atlantic Skyline.	Snow-capped mountains surrounding Killary Harbour, 18 Mar 2007. Photo credit: North Atlantic Skyline.	Double rainbow on a Connemara road near Leenaun. Photo: North Atlantic Skyline.
Ireland from Space, noon 1 Apr 2007.	An artist's impression of the proposed new Ceannt (Galway Bus & Rail) Station.	Contributed by Benedek Farkasházy, May 2004.	Contributed by Benedek Farkasházy, May 2004.	Poulnabrone Dolmen (The Burren, Co. Clare) on a misty winter's day.
9 Dec 2006. Eyre Square fountain with Christmas decorations in the background.	18 Dec 2006. Quay Street.	9 Dec 2006.	9 Dec 2006. Christmas decorations in Eyre Square.	18 Dec 2006. The Corrib is a raging torrent due to the recent heavy rainfalls.
14 Dec 2006. Live views of Galway Harbour via Galway.Net webcam #5. This view is kindly facilitated by the Galway Harbour company. More...	3 Dec 2006: Last splash - sightseers get a drenching on Salthill Promenade this afternoon. Photo credit: North Atlantic Skyline.	Opening of Science Week at the National Aquarium, Salthill. Sunday 12 Nov 2006.	Opening of Science Week at the National Aquarium, Salthill. Sunday 12 Nov 2006. Photo: Joe Desbonnet.	The National Acquarium during the opening of Science Week, Sunday 12 Nov 2006. Photo: Joe Desbonnet.
Sunset over Galway Bay, Salthill, Galway	Thursday 6 Oct 2006. Preparations are in place for the unusually high tides expected over the weekend. This photograph was taken at the high water of the first of the high tides at 16:30 Thursday. The next few tides will be significantly higher and will flood parts of the Spanish parade.	Tuesday 26 September, 2006. The Minister for Transport announced approval of funding for Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) to proceed with the development of the first phase of the Western Rail Corridor - a rail link between Ennis and Athenry and a commuter service between Galway city and Athenry. Survey work is to begin immediately and the physical track renewal is due to commence next year and is expected to be completed in 2008.	High Tide! Unusually high tides bring parts of Galway within a hair's breadth of flooding. View slide show. Photo credit: North Atlantic Skyline.	A large aquamarine-coloured phytoplankton bloom is shown stretching across the length of Ireland in the North Atlantic Ocean in this Envisat image. Photo credit: European Space Agency
Lynch's Castle illustration from An Illustrated History of Ireland from AD 400 to 1800, by Mary Frances Cusack and illustrated by Henry Doyle. First published in 1868. Image credit: Project Gutenberg.	A photograph of the Salmon Fishery, Galway taken circa 1900. From book Ireland, Historic and Picturesque by Charles Johnston, published in 1902. Image credit: Project Gutenberg.	Proposed layout of new Galway Harbour	Galway Gay Pride Parade, Saturday 26 Aug 2006. Photo credit: North Atlantic Skyline	Emma Quinlan, Knocknacarra preparing for the Macnas Parade, Galway Arts Festival 2006.
Macnas Parade - Galway Arts Festival 2006. Photo: Todd Parker	Macnas Parade - Galway Arts Festival 2006. Photo: Todd Parker	Macnas Parade - Galway Arts Festival 2006. Photo: Todd Parker	Macnas Parade - Galway Arts Festival 2006. Photo: Todd Parker	Macnas Parade - Galway Arts Festival 2006. Photo: Todd Parker
Macnas Parade - Galway Arts Festival 2006. Photo: Todd Parker	Macnas Parade - Galway Arts Festival 2006. Photo: Todd Parker	Macnas Parade - Galway Arts Festival 2006. Photo: Todd Parker	Macnas Parade - Galway Arts Festival 2006. Photo: Todd Parker	The inimitable Hector o hEochagáin and friends on the way to The Galway Races 2006. The star of RTE's 'Only Fools Buy Horses' returned this year to host the Big Bash in the Guinness and Oyster Marquee on the first day of racing.
David Gray, performing in The Festival Big Top, Galway Arts Festival 2006. Photo credit: Todd Parker	Street Performers 'Horn Heads' - Marching to the beat of a different drum. Galway Arts Festival July 2006. Photo: Todd Parker	Niall O'Brolchain, Mayor of Galway, at the launch of The Galway Arts Festival 2006. Photo credit: Todd Parker	"Hell Bent" an installation by David Mach located at the entrance of the new Galway Museum. 22 July 2006. Photo: Joe Desbonnet.	It just looks like a heap of rubbish strewn around the Spanish Arch. But when viewed from just the right angle .... (Galway Arts Festival 2003). Photo: Joe Desbonnet.
Galway Arts Festival 2003	A week when the city parties like everybody backed a winner! The bar is replenished at 'The Living Room' on Bridge Street during the Galway Races, held annually in August (see Events listings for more details).	Galway Races 2003	Coming up to the finish line. Galway Races 2003	Galway Races 2003
Galway Races 2003	Spanish parade at night. Photo: Joe Desbonnet.	Mutton Island Lighthouse. This lighthouse is situated in Galway Bay, just off Salthill near the entrance to Galway Harbour. It was established in 1817 as a small single-keeper station. The lighthouse was automated in 1958 and decommissioned on 13 December 1977. Photo: Joe Desbonnet.	A display of flags on Grattan Beach, Galway during the 2003 Arts Festival. Photo: Joe Desbonnet.	One of serveral buildings on the outskirts of Loughrea town. The light rail link, linking Loughrea with Attymon on the Dublin - Galway line, was opened in 1890. The late 19th century was the golden age of rail travel in Ireland. However rail could not compete with motor transport and during the 1950s many country rail lines closed throughout the country. The Loughrea line was one of the last, surviving until 1975 when it was finally decommissioned. Photo: Joe Desbonnet.
Old rails are used for fencing near the derelict Loughrea Railway Station. Photo: Joe Desbonnet.	Padraig O'Conaire (1882 - 1928) was a famous Irish short story writer. In the early years of the 20th century he travelled the roads of County Galway with his donkey and cart writing and story telling. This statue in his honour was carved by Albert G. Power and was unveiled by Eamonn De Valera at Eyre Square on Easter Sunday in 1935. Since then the statue as survived Galway weather and the occasional vandal attack until the recent renovation of Eyre Square. The statue is now an exhibit at the new Galway Museum. Photo credit: North Atlantic Skyline.	Macnas Halloween Street Carnival 2003	Macnas Halloween Street Carnival 2003	Macnas Halloween Street Carnival 2003
Macnas Halloween Street Carnival 2003	Macnas Halloween Street Carnival 2003	Macnas Halloween Street Carnival 2003	Macnas Halloween Street Carnival 2003. Photo: Joe Desbonnet.	Macnas Halloween Street Carnival 2003. Photo Joe Desbonnet.
Macnas Halloween Street Carnival 2003	Macnas Halloween Street Carnival 2003. Photo: Joe Desbonnet.	Macnas Halloween Street Carnival 2003	Macnas Halloween Street Carnival 2003. Photo: Joe Desbonnet.	The third Proclaimer? - The Proclaimers, who performed to great acclaim at The Gaway Arts Festival July 2003. Photo: Joe Desbonnet.
7 Mar 2005. Salmon Wier Bridge, 4 Mar 2005. Another look at a familiar landmark, the Galway Cathedral. The footpath along the River Corrib affords many stunning scenes, the most stunning of which are upstream and downstream from the Salmon Weir Bridge. Persistent flows of traffic over the bridge challenge pedestrians, but also present a brilliant photo opportunity. Exposed over thirty seconds, cars paint a path of light leading to the Cathedral. Photo and text: Todd Parker		Macnas Street Parade, Galway Arts Festival 2006	Macnas Street Parade, Galway Arts Festival 2006	Macnas Street Parade, Galway Arts Festival 2006. Photo: Joe Desbonnet.
Macnas Street Parade, Galway Arts Festival 2006.	Winter scene in Galway - Swans at the Claddagh being fed on a snowy day. The Long Walk visible in the background.	One of several buildings on the outskirts of Loughrea town. The light rail link, linking Loughrea with Attymon on the Dublin - Galway line, was opened in 1890. The late 19th century was the golden age of rail travel in Ireland. However rail could not compete with motor transport and during the 1950s many country rail lines closed throughout the country. The Loughrea line was one of the last, surviving until 1975 when it was finally decommissioned.	Sunset at Rinville Park, Oranmore.	Causeway to Mutton Island
A couple strolling as the sun sets on Gratton Beach, Salthill. Photo : Todd Parker	River Corrib, February 12th, 2005 Propelled downstream by adrenaline as much as the current, a small gaggle of intrepid kayakers braved a stiff wind and near freezing temperatures, to test their agility on the Corrib, making sport of the river's torrents. Their performance attracted a smattering of spectators who huddled along the O'Brien Street Bridge, seemingly reacting to their display with both respect and disbelief. Photo and text: Todd Parker	Galway Roman Catholic Cathedral at Dusk.	Polarstern research icebreaker in Galway Bay, Friday 20 June 2003.
	Canals of Galway	Oil tankers at Galway Docks, a giant canvas for light projections. Galway Arts Festival.	The Galway Arts Festival Big Top, where live acts such as Bell X1, Simple Minds, UB40, Rodrigo y Gabriela and more delighted crowds in sell-out concerts. Galway Arts Festival, 2007. Photo ; Joe Desbonnet.	Eyre Square (prior to recent renovation work in 2006)
Sunset at the edge of the world. Cliffs of Moher, Co. Clare	A cellist plays in front of Kenny's Bookshop, High Street.	Sunset over Galway Bay. Taken from Rinville, Oranmore, Co. Galway.	The Vixen Break at the end of the Red Arrows display. In the background is LE Ciara (Irish Naval Service) and the Clare mountains in the distance.	A Red Arrows Hawk aircraft pulls up from a dive during at the Salthill Airshow. Sunday 6 July 2003. Photo: Joe Desbonnet.
Galway Baroque Chamber Choir at the opening of the Galway Early Music Festival in Saint Nicholas Collegiate Church, Thursday 15 May 2003. Photo: Joe Desbonnet.	Swans in the Claddagh, The Long Walk visible in the background.	Saint Patrick's Day Parade, Oranmore. 17 March 2003.	Oranmore Saint Patrick's Day Parade, 17 March 2003.	Bungee jumping at NUI Galway in aid of Voluntary Services Abroad. 12 Mar 2003.
Bungee jumping at NUI Galway in aid of Voluntary Services Abroad. 12 Mar 2003.	Bungee jumping at NUI Galway in aid of Voluntary Services Abroad. 12 Mar 2003.	Oranmore Castle at sunset, 23 Feb 2003. The castle dates from the 15th century when it was a stronghold of the Clanricards. The castle fell into ruin during the late 19th century. In recent years it has been the home of Commander Bill King (a well known writer and sailor) and his wife Mrs. Leslie King (also a writer).	Moo! ( Roscam, Galway)	Ti Neachtain - one of Galway's oldest and dearest pubs, nestled in the heart of the City, Christmas 2005. Photo : Joe Desbonnet.
Swan at the Claddagh, Galway.	Claddagh	Steps at Coole Park - the home of Lady Augusta Gregory, and frequented by the poet W.B. Yeats. Gort, Co Galway. Photo: Joe Desbonnet	Coole Park in Winter. Coole Park, the home of Lady August Gregory, Gort, Co. Galway. Photo : Joe Desbonnet	The Galway Hooker sails in Kinvara bay with Dunguaire Castle in the background. The village of Kinvara hosts the historic festival Cruinniu na mBad (The Gathering of the Boats) each year in August - see Festival listings for details.
Spanish Parade (in background) and the Corrib River (foreground) at night. Photo: Joe Desbonnet.	Horse, Aran Islands.	1 June 2006, Eyre Square Galway City: The new fountain at Eyre Square springs to life in the Galway sun. Photo: Joe Desbonnet.	Swirling clouds of blue and green lit the Atlantic Ocean west of Ireland on June 2, 2006, when the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA's Aqua satellite captured this image. Phytoplankton are microscopic plants that grow in the sunlit surface waters of the ocean. When enough of the plants grow in one place, the bloom can be seen from space.	3 June 2006, Slieve Aughty, Co. Galway: Vestas V52 wind turbines silhouetted by the sunset sky on Slieve Aughty, near Derrybrien Co. Galway. The Derrybrien project which comprises 71 turbines is currently the largest in-land wind farm in the country. Click to expand image. Photo: Joe Desbonnet.
17 June 2006, Gort, County Galway: Brazilian dancing in Gort town square during the annual Gort Brazilian Festival. Click to expand image. Photo: Joe Desbonnet.	24 June 2006, Monivea, County Galway. Tornadoes are rarely seen in Ireland but they do happen from time to time. This unusual funnel cloud formation was observed near Monivea, County Galway on Saturday 24 June 2006. A funnel cloud like this becomes a tornado only if it touches the ground. This one did not. Photo credit: North Atlantic Skyline.	Street artist at work on Shop Street, Galway.