Galway County is the largest county in the province of Connacht on Ireland’s west coast and is known as “The County of the Tribes”. Galway City, “The City of the Tribes”, is the county capital and was so named after the thirteen tribes of the city. Like many Irish counties, Galway has contrasting landscapes and is essentially divided into two regions by the expansive Lough Corrib. To the west of the lake is the world renowned region of Connemara extending out to the Atlantic Ocean, with its spectacular scenery. The eastern part of the county consists mainly of rich farmland and limestone plains.
Along with the magnificent scenery and places to visit, including Kylemore Abbey in Connemara and the Aran Islands off the west coast, Galway offers a host of leisure activities for visitors from swimming and surfing to golfing and hiking.
Galway is a lively cultural hub and hosts over 50 festivals and events throughout the year including the world famous Oyster Festival, the Galway Races and the Galway Arts Festival. This vibrant arts & culture scene, coupled with the hospitality and openness of the locals and communities across the county, make Galway an attractive tourist destination and one that people long to visit more than once.