This two-day itinerary invites you to úsáid do chúpla focal and experience Galway city as Gaeilge. After all, beatha teanga í a labhairt - the life of a language is in the speaking! Discover it all here..
Welcome to Galway, the beating heart of Ireland’s living language, Irish. Here, Gaeilge isn’t confined to classrooms or textbooks; it’s spoken through the streets, flows in the conversations of cafés and pubs, and is sung along with the trad tunes that spill out onto Shop Street. As Ireland’s only official bilingual city, Galway is where an Ghaeilge feels alive. So go on, labhair í, bain taitneamh as, agus lig don Ghaeilge do chroí a líonadh.
For more inspiration on things to do in Galway City visit: www.
above: Plámás
Day One
Morning
Begin the day in the heart of Galway’s creative Westend at Plámás, a design-forward space where Irish isn’t just spoken, it’s celebrated with a .10c discount off your coffee. Order your coffee using their handy “Ordaigh as Gaeilge” guide and enjoy the discount for speaking ár dteanga álainn. The friendly baristas love a good chat, so challenge yourself because is fearr Gaeilge briste ná Béarla cliste! (Broken Irish is better than clever English.)
Midday
Next, wander over to An Taibhdhearc, Ireland’s National Irish Language Theatre on Middle Street. Whether you catch a performance, or simply sip a drink in the bar, this cultural hub is a magnet for Irish speakers and creatives alike. Check their schedule for dramaí, ceol, agus craic as Gaeilge.
Pop into Just Art It, a vibrant creative hub in Galway’s Westend that combines an art shop, gallery, and workshop space where creativity knows no language barriers. It features high-quality art materials, original printmaking by Irish artists - art as Gaeilge agus as Béarla, and a framing service in partnership with a local family business.
above: Just Art It
Lunch
Just beside the Spanish Arch, Ard Bia at Nimmos serves up local, seasonal flavours in one of Galway’s most beloved spots. The team often includes Gaelgoirí, so don’t be shy about booking as Gaeilge or asking for Irish-speaking staff - it’s a lovely way to get the conversation flowing.
Afternoon
If you’re around on a Monday, pop into Áras na nGael on Dominick Street for their Ciorcal Comhrá at 6pm. This welcoming community hub is the beating heart of Galway’s Irish-speaking scene, a place to practice your Irish over a pint or a cuppa, meet locals, and connect with fellow learners. No pressure, no judgment, just good ol’ conversation and plenty of laughter.
Evening
Finish your first day at Taaffes Bar in the Latin Quarter, a legendary trad pub where the staff are fluent in Irish and happy to chat. Pull up a stool, order a pint, and join in the craic. There’s live traditional music every evening at 5.30pm and 9.30pm, and let the rhythm of the bodhrán =carry you into the night. It’s the perfect soundtrack to a day well spent as Gaeilge.
above: Taaffes
Day Two
Morning
Kick things off with a bilingual walking tour (English & Irish) from Galway Trails, departing from The Hardiman Hotel on Eyre Square. Learn about the city’s past and present through the lens of Gaeilge, from its poets and revolutionaries to the stories hidden in the stone walls. This is history brought to life in two languages.
Afternoon
If all that walking has left you thirsty, head to Micil Distillery, where sixth-generation distiller Pádraic Ó Griallais leads immersive tours as Gaeilge. Hear all about the history of poitín, whiskey, and gin, and sample award-winning spirits crafted with Connemara tradition. The distillery’s roots stretch back to 1848, and the storytelling is as rich as the tasting.
above: Micil Distillery
Lunch
Nestled along Galway’s historic docklands, Dillisk on the Docks at the Harbour Hotel offers a relaxed yet refined lunch experience. The menu is rooted in the region’s coastal heritage, featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients with a strong emphasis on seafood. Whether you’re after a light bite or a leisurely meal, the dockside views and warm atmosphere make it a perfect midday stop.
Afternoon
Set sail from the mouth of the River Corrib with Galway Girl Cruises, a bilingual voyage that blends maritime history, Irish folklore, and live traditional music. Led by third-generation fishermen, this 90-minute cruise offers storytelling in both as Bearla agus as Gaeilge, with views of Gleninagh Castle, Black Head Lighthouse, and the Aran Islands. It’s a sensory journey through the heart of Galway Bay, complete with refreshments, dancing, and the rhythm of the ocean.
Evening
Fágimis slán leis an lá at Daróg Wine Bar a cosy, intimate spot perfect for reflecting on your journey. While not specifically Irish-speaking, it’s a relaxed space where the spirit of Galway’s hospitality shines. Pair a glass of natural wine with small plates and toast to a city where language and culture intertwine beautifully & see where the night takes you. Is iomaí scéal a chloistear ó strainséirí san oíche!
For more inspiration on things to do in Galway City visit: www.
above: Daróg Wine Bar
Main photo of Taaffes Bar
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