Galway City Museum
Museum in Galway

Near the historic Spanish Arch, once part of Galway’s city walls overlooking the River Corrib, stands Comerford House. Constructed in 1800, it originally served as the residence of the Comerford family before passing into the hands of the Greenwood family. From 1948 to 1954, it was inhabited by sculptor and writer Clare Consuelo Sheridan.
In 1976, under the ownership of Galway Corporation, Comerford House became the Galway City Museum. Its inaugural exhibition featured medieval stones, folk artifacts, and military items collected by Clare Sheridan until her death in 1970. Over time, the museum’s collection expanded beyond the capacity of Comerford House.
To accommodate its growing exhibits, a new museum building was inaugurated behind Comerford House in 2007. Designed by architects Ciaran O’Connor and Gar Harvey, the Galway Museum project building complements the old Comerford House, situated alongside the River Corrib near the Spanish Arch. A plaza between the museum and the arch frequently hosts public events.
The museum’s layout forms an “L” shape, featuring three levels that harmonize with the surrounding architecture. This modern structure now houses both the original collections and recent acquisitions. Notably, the Comerford collection, amassed over three decades, comprises nearly 1,000 historical artifacts.
The Galway City Museum appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Galway!
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Visiting Galway City Museum
Tuesday to Saturday, 10am – 5pm
Sunday, 12pm – 5pm (until September)
Closed Christmas Day, Stephen’s Day and Good Friday
Free
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