Items | Galway After Dark Tour: Ghosts, Legends, and the Blood Red Ale
Galway After Dark Tour: Ghosts, Legends, and the Blood Red Ale
(2) Reviews
Shop Street
Important Information
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Public transportation options are available nearby
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Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
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Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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Please wear comfortable shoes as this tour involves a fair amount of walking, including over uneven surfaces, cobblestones, hills, inclines, declines and stairs.
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Participants should be in good health - consult first with your doctor if you have any medical condition or are not used to regular exercise.
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Wheelchairs, motorised scooters or any other device to assist mobility are not recommended, as we cannot guarantee: that all footpaths/sidewalks/curbs will have suitable ramps.
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Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
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Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
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If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
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This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
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Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
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Delve into the haunting history of Galway on this captivating evening walking tour. Stroll through medieval streets as you uncover chilling tales of executions, ghostly apparitions, and local folklore. Begin at Lynch's Castle, where the powerful Tribes of Galway once ruled, and hear the dark tale of Mayor James Lynch Fitz Stephen. Explore Spanish Arch and the River Corrib, where legends of famine victims and lost sailors come alive. Visit Galway Cathedral and St Nicholas' Collegiate Church to learn about the city’s grim past before concluding at The King's Head Pub, with an option to enjoy a unique Blood Red Ale.
- Evening walking tour through Galway’s medieval streets and haunted spots - D...
Highlights
2 hours
Offered in English & 2 Others
Free Cancellation
Mobile Ticket
2 hours
Offered in English & 2 Others
Free Cancellation
Mobile Ticket
What's Included
Dark history and folklore storytelling and services of a local guide
Optional Upgrade to Blood Red Ale experience
Gratuities to the guide
Pint of Red Ale is included for Upgrade Guests only
Meeting Points
Departure
Lynch's Castle
MEETING TIME: 15 minutes before the scheduled start time
MEETING PLACE: Lynch`s Castle, 40 Shop Street, Galway City, County Galway, H91 W400, Ireland
MEETING POINT: Meet your guide with LetzGo City Tours Checkin sign in front of the arched wooden doors.
Return
The Kings Head
Itinerary
1
Lynch's Castle
Discover one of Ireland’s finest examples of a medieval fortified house, hidden in plain sight on the bustling corner of Shop Street. Once the stronghold of the powerful Lynch family—one of the legendary 14 Tribes of Galway—this 16th-century limestone castle protected its residents from raids. Marvel at its striking Gothic façade, featuring ornate stone carvings, gargoyles, and defensive cornices. While it now houses the AIB bank, visitors can step inside during business hours to explore detailed history panels in a truly unique setting where modern commerce meets ancient history.
10 minutes
2
Lynch Memorial Window
Visit one of Galway’s most haunting landmarks at the Lynch Memorial Window. Tucked into the stone walls of St. Nicholas’ Collegiate Church, this Gothic monument marks the site of the 1493 execution that shocked Ireland. Discover the chilling story of Mayor James Lynch, who took justice into his own hands when he hanged his own son for murder. Hear the local lore behind this "stern and unbending justice" and uncover the fascinating—and debated—connection to the origin of the term "Lynch Law." A must-see for fans of dark history and local mysteries.
10 minutes
3
The Spanish Arch
Uncover the shadowed past of Galway’s most famous 16th-century landmark. Beyond its stone walls lies a history steeped in war, tragedy, and the macabre. Stand where the River Corrib meets the sea as your guide recounts gruesome tales of witchcraft trials, public executions, and unsolved murders. Hear the chilling stories of spirits said to haunt the Claddagh and learn about the devastating impact of the Great Famine on this historic quarter. This isn't just a sightseeing stop—it’s a journey into the dark soul of Old Galway.
15 minutes
4
River Corrib
Witness the raw power of the River Corrib, the pulse of Galway City. Known as one of the shortest and fastest-flowing rivers in Europe, the Corrib is as beautiful as it is treacherous. Discover the deep-rooted folklore and supernatural tales that have emerged from its swirling currents over the centuries. Your guide will share the somber history behind its reputation and the legends of the spirits said to dwell within its waters, offering a unique perspective on the force that shaped Galway’s history.
15 minutes
5
Galway Cathedral
Rising majestically over the River Corrib, Galway Cathedral is a stunning contradiction: a mid-20th-century church built with the soul of the Renaissance. As the last major stone cathedral constructed in Ireland (1957–1965), its massive octagonal dome—reminiscent of Florence’s Duomo—dominates the city’s skyline.
15 minutes
6
Saint Nicholas' Collegiate Church
Step inside the heart of medieval Galway at St. Nicholas’ Collegiate Church. Founded in 1320, this is the largest medieval parish church in continuous use in Ireland and a true architectural gemstone. Your guide will reveal the church's connection to the powerful Lynch family and share the legendary history of the many social upheavals this building has witnessed. From its limestone-plinth burial grounds to its decorative Gothic doorways, every corner of this "key medieval edifice" tells the story of old Galway.
10 minutes
7
The Kings Head
Step inside The King’s Head, a vibrant 800-year-old venue with a chilling past. In 1649, this was a fortified manor house belonging to the powerful Lynch family—until the execution of King Charles I changed everything. Learn the dark legend of Colonel Peter Stubbers, the Cromwellian soldier who seized this building after the siege of Galway and is rumored to have been the King's actual executioner. Discover the staggering history of the Cromwellian invasion, where war and famine reshaped Ireland forever. Upgrade your tour to enjoy a "blood-red ale" in the very rooms where Stubbers once held court, and hear the grisly tales of the men who fled the King's vengeance.
Galway After Dark Tour: Ghosts, Legends, and the Blood Red Ale
(2) Reviews
Shop Street
About
Delve into the haunting history of Galway on this captivating evening walking tour. Stroll through medieval streets as you uncover chilling tales of executions, ghostly apparitions, and local folklore. Begin at Lynch's Castle, where the powerful Tribes of Galway once ruled, and hear the dark tale of Mayor James Lynch Fitz Stephen. Explore Spanish Arch and the River Corrib, where legends of famine victims and lost sailors come alive. Visit Galway Cathedral and St Nicholas' Collegiate Church to learn about the city’s grim past before concluding at The King's Head Pub, with an option to enjoy a unique Blood Red Ale.
- Evening walking tour through Galway’s medieval streets and haunted spots - D...
Highlights
2 hours
Offered in English & 2 Others
Free Cancellation
Mobile Ticket
2 hours
Offered in English & 2 Others
Free Cancellation
Mobile Ticket
What's Included
Dark history and folklore storytelling and services of a local guide
Optional Upgrade to Blood Red Ale experience
Gratuities to the guide
Pint of Red Ale is included for Upgrade Guests only
Meeting Points
Departure
Lynch's Castle
MEETING TIME: 15 minutes before the scheduled start time
MEETING PLACE: Lynch`s Castle, 40 Shop Street, Galway City, County Galway, H91 W400, Ireland
MEETING POINT: Meet your guide with LetzGo City Tours Checkin sign in front of the arched wooden doors.