St. Nicholas' Collegiate Church Reviews

Parminder Gill/One Word Entertainment Creative / Getty Images

Key Info

7 Lombard St.
Galway, H91 T2F4, Ireland
Official Website

Details

Churches/Religious Sites Type
1 to 2 hours Time to Spend

4.2

Overall

Scorecard

Value

5.0
Facilities

3.0
Atmosphere

5.0

Read about how we rank Things to Do.

Completed sometime in the early 14th century, the Collegiate Church of St. Nicholas is the largest medieval parish church in Ireland in continuous use. Among its historical artifacts are a more than 400-year-old baptismal font, a grave marker that dates back to the 13th century and the misnamed Lepers' Gallery, which leads to the belfry. The most famous visitor to the church is said to be Christopher Columbus, who prayed there during a visit to Galway in 1477. In a more destructive visit, Cromwellian troops used the church to house their horses after the siege of Galway in 1652 and are blamed for the headless and handless state of most of the carved figures inside the church.

Recent visitors said touring the church is like taking a "trip back in time" thanks to its well-preserved interior. Many recommended visiting on a Saturday so that you can stop by the popular Galway Market before or after viewing the church as the market sets up right outside.

You'll find the church on the east bank of the River Corrib. The church is accessible daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (5 p.m. in January and February). Visitors can pick up a free guide with information about the church and its history. For more information about services and the church's history, visit its website.

Hotels Nearby

Thing to Do
Hotel

Jurys Inn Galway ...

0.1 Miles Away
3.0-star Hotel Class

Dominic Street Apartments ...

0.2 Miles Away
4.0-star Hotel Class

Eyre Square Townhouse ...

0.3 Miles Away
3.0-star Hotel Class

See all hotels in Galway »

More Best Things to Do in Galway

Connemara National Park picture in Galway

St. Nicholas Collegiate Church picture in Galway

x of x

#1 Wild Atlantic Way This western coastal route, which begins in the north of Donegal and runs 1,500 miles through nine counties ending in the south of Cork, is a breathtakingly scenic experience ... Read more » Christian McLeod / Failte Ireland

#2 Aran Islands The beautiful and romantic Aran Islands, composed of Inishmore, Inishmaan and Inisheer, sit off the coast of Galway County and are an immensely popular daytrip for visitors. Along with their ... Read more » Michelle McMahon / Getty Images

#3 Cliffs of Moher One of Ireland's most iconic sights sits about 50 miles southwest of Galway, and according to travelers, can't be missed. Visitors describe the breathtaking scenery of the Cliffs ... Read more » pawel.gaul / Getty Images

#4 Connemara National Park Located a little more than 50 miles northwest of Galway, the more than 7,000-acre Connemara National Park offers stunning views of bogs, heaths and moors, as well as great ... Read more » mikroman6 / Getty Images

Fáilte Ireland

#6 Salthill Promenade Salthill is a village of Galway located along the Atlantic Ocean. It boasts a 2-mile-long promenade, which is a popular place to take a stroll. Below the walkway is a ... Read more » Michelle McMahon / Getty Images

#7 St. Nicholas' Collegiate Church Completed sometime in the early 14th century, the Collegiate Church of St. Nicholas is the largest medieval parish church in Ireland in continuous use. Among its historical artifacts are a ... Read more » Parminder Gill/One Word Entertainment Creative / Getty Images

#8 Galway Market The popular Galway Market, which has operated for centuries, is not only the place to pick up all sorts of fruits, vegetables and flowers, but also crafts, jewelry, clothing and ... Read more » Kelvin Gillmor / Tourism Ireland

#9 Spanish Arch The landmark 16th-century Spanish Arch is a popular photo op for every visitor to Galway. The arch is assumed to be part of the medieval city walls, which were built ... Read more » Stephen Power / Tourism Ireland

#10 Galway Cathedral A newcomer as far as stone cathedrals in Europe go, the Galway Cathedral was completed in 1965. The architecture is modern and instead of the typical altars and stained-glass windows, there ... Read more » Michelle McMahon / Getty Images