Photos: Herman Moll, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain William Murphy, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Mercator, Gerhard, 1512-1594 Hondius, Iodocus, 1563-1612 Nicolaus, Cornelius Bottius, Adrianus, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo credits
Photos: Herman Moll, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain William Murphy, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Mercator, Gerhard, 1512-1594 Hondius, Iodocus, 1563-1612 Nicolaus, Cornelius Bottius, Adrianus, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Spanish Arch and the Long Walk houses
Your local guide
Aisling Joyce
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Highlights
- A surviving 16th-century city gate
- Spanish trade goods on the old quay
- Brightly painted harbour houses
- A practical reason behind the colours
- An easy walk along Galway's waterfront
About this tour
This session follows the quayside from a surviving fragment of Galway's old city walls to the well known row of coloured houses along the harbour. You see the arch's original defensive purpose and the practical, everyday reason behind the houses' bright paintwork. It stays along the water throughout at an easy pace.
After a short sound check by the arch, I walk the quay stop by stop, explaining the history of each stretch as it comes into view. I take questions live and send a short note afterwards on the old Spanish trade route for anyone who wants to read further.
It suits anyone interested in maritime trade history, and anyone who wants a classic, photogenic Galway walk with real history behind it.
Included
- Live video walk with a local guide
- Questions to your guide all the way
- A short list of places to visit later
Not included
- Internet connection
- Travel to the city
Itinerary
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Welcome and sound check 5 min
The guide joins the video call, checks the picture and sound with you, and gives you a quick sense of Galway before heading out.
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Spanish Arch 15 min
The camera takes in the surviving 16th-century archway from the old city walls, and I explain how it once protected ships unloading Spanish trade goods along this stretch of quay.
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The Long Walk's coloured houses 15 min
You see the row of brightly painted harbour houses along the Long Walk, and I point out how their colours are thought to have helped fishermen identify their own homes from the water.
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Your questions 7 min
Time to ask anything about Galway: prices, safety, food, or whatever you are curious about.
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A short list to keep 3 min
Before you go, the guide sums up with a few things worth remembering: a dish to try: Seafood chowder and Claddagh, worth a slower look.
Good to know
- A stable wifi or mobile connection makes the picture smoother than a shaky one.
- Any phone, tablet or laptop with a camera works. You watch, the guide does the walking.
- Times are shown in Dublin time, so check the time where you are before you book.
- The session is not recorded, and recording it yourself is not allowed. Feel free to take your own notes.
- Ask questions any time, out loud or in the chat. The guide will pause to answer.
- Sessions run in small groups, up to 8 people, so there is room for everyone to ask something.
Questions about this tour
What will the session cover?
The guide walks through Galway, showing you Spanish Arch and The Long Walk's coloured houses live on camera, plus whatever else you would like to see.
What happens if my connection drops?
Rejoin with the same link within a few minutes and the guide will catch you up on anything you missed.
Can I ask the guide questions during the session, or is it a fixed script?
Anything, any time. Sessions leave room for your own questions throughout, not just at the end.
How it works
- You get one join link after booking.
- Join from any device: phone, tablet or laptop.
- We meet on Google Meet; the link comes with your booking. I walk the quay live with my phone.
Times shown in Dublin time (GMT)
Cancellation
Flexible
- Cancel up to 24 hours before the start: full refund.
- Cancel less than 24 hours before the start, or no-show: no refund.
- If the guide cancels or the date does not reach its minimum group: full refund.
- Cancel in My Account → Bookings; the refund is calculated from the start time in the tour's local time.
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Next: Thu 29 Oct · 8 seats left From 21,00 €
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