The best cycling routes around Athenry-Oranmore Municipal District

De Wolfe Tone Bridge is for cyclists the most important link between the medieval centre and the colourful district of The Claddagh. As you cross the bridge, you have an iconic view: on one side the lightning-fast flow of the Corrib River thundering into the ocean, and on the other side the famous Spanish Arch with the photogenic 'Long Walk' in the background.

This 13th-century remnant of the old city gate owes its name to trade relations with Spain. The arcades (originally four) supported a fortress intended to protect the goods quay. South of the gate lie the old ramparts about twenty meters wide.

The city's main square is also called Kennedy Memorial Park (the American president received a triumphant welcome in Galway in 1963). On the northwest side, you can see the remains of a Renaissance gateway (1627) called Browne Doorway (DORAS DE BRUN), named after the former owners who lived in the district (the Brownes were part of the 14 merchant families or tribes who held power over Galway in the Middle Ages). In the southwest, the shopping centre has integrated part of the old walls and the two towers.

Galway owes its appeal to the vibrant atmosphere of its colorful streets, small restaurants, and pubs. The university, which attracts a young and cosmopolitan population through international exchange programs, contributes, along with innovative industries, to the bustling port city. In good weather, the streets, filled with outdoor cafes and strolling crowds, take on an almost Mediterranean feel, accompanied by music. As a gateway to Connemara and one of the country's main Gaeltacht areas, Galway is a stronghold of Gaelic culture. As the gateway to the Aran Islands, the city also places great importance on literature, theater, dance, and music, which play a prominent role in all events. Galway was European Capital of Culture in 2020-2021.

The city's main square is also called Kennedy Memorial Park (the American president received a triumphant welcome in Galway in 1963). On the northwest side, you can see the remains of a Renaissance entrance gate (1627) called Browne Doorway (DORAS DE BRUN), named after the former owners who lived in the district (the Brownes were part of the 14 merchant families or tribes who held power over Galway in the Middle Ages). In the southwest, the shopping center has integrated part of the old ramparts and the two towers.

Oranmore Castle is a robust 15th-century residential tower that stands majestically on the edge of Galway Bay. This former stronghold of the Clanricard Burghs was strategically built on a rocky outcrop to guard the entrance to the bay. Today, the castle is an atmospheric residence and a popular photo spot for passers-by. Especially at high tide, when the seawater rises to the thick limestone walls, the castle offers a beautiful historical silhouette against the backdrop of the untamed Atlantic coast.

The L4101 is a hidden gem for those who want to avoid the busy coastal road. This quiet, narrow country lane winds through the characteristic pastoral landscape of South Galway, bordered by ancient dry-stone walls and flowering hawthorn hedges. It is an ideal route for cyclists and walkers who want to enjoy the tranquility, with occasional glimpses of the limestone plateaus and the nearby Galway Bay.

Tyrone House is the imposing and melancholic ruin of an 18th-century country house, majestically situated on a hill overlooking Kilcolgan Bay. This former palace of the St. George family was once one of the most luxurious homes in the west of Ireland, until it was destroyed by the IRA in 1920 during the Irish War of Independence. The skeletal walls, which served as inspiration for the novel The Big House of Inver, now form a dramatic and photogenic silhouette against the sky.