Tucked away on the west coast of Ireland, Galway is something of a forgotten paradise. A city with such a raw beauty and a rich historical and cultural heritage, the friendliness of the locals is just the icing on the cake. Galway's packed calendar of cultural festivals has ensured it has a reputation for sophistication that belies its small size. Highlights of the social calendar include the February Jazz Festival, the Easter Festival of Literature and the Galway Arts Festival in July.

But Galway has much to offer visitors all year round. Clonfert, only a short distance west of the Shannon, has a cathedral with the most famous Irish doorway in the Romanesque style, which rises to a triangular gable above the rounded door and dates from around 1200. The Aughrim Intrepretive centre is a fascinating exhibit telling the story of Ireland's bloodiest battle, or take a relaxing stroll around the 17th Century castle and gardens at Portumna.

Galway also has an impressive literary heritage that is worth exploring. The former home of W.B. Yeats at Thoor Ballylee, Lady Gregory’s estate at Coole Park, and the Kiltartan Gregory Museum are popular attractions. If you are planning to take children, visit the Turoe Pet Farm and Leisure Park where you can feed and cuddle the animals. The site also features two outdoor playgrounds, football pitch, indoor play-area with bouncing castles, indoor and outdoor picnic areas and a coffee shop.

For those looking for something livelier, Galway University attracts a notable bohemian crowd and the nearby pubs and clubs are always teeming with locals looking to have a good time. Galway offers visitors a taste of traditional Ireland that is being erased daily in the more cosmopolitan urban areas such as Dublin. Indeed, if you are looking for the authentic Irish experience then look no further than Galway. For history and culture to music and entertainment, Galway will not disappoint.

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