Where to go shopping in Galway

Ireland is not necessarily a place you visit for luxury boutiques. You’re there to visit castles and enjoy the company of Irish locals. Without a doubt, you're there to hit a pub or two or even golf a few rounds. But if you want to get some shopping done while you’re on the Emerald Isle, Galway is certainly not a bad place to do so. In fact, aside from the highly international Dublin, Galway will be your best bet. 

Galway’s beautiful city center is clustered around its wonderful waterfront along Galway Bay. Its slightly hilly terrain and winding streets set a delightful scene for the snugly packed buildings and shops that make up Western Ireland’s crown jewel. It’s a university town, and with that comes a Bohemian flare that adds a touch of trendiness to the reliably quaint Irish feel. So you’ll be surprised to find a few indie boutiques and vintage shops peppered across the more traditional shopping landscape. 

And whether you're dining at a restaurant located in Eyre Square, engaging in some retail therapy at any of the options in this guide, or taking a day trip from Galway Train Station, Bounce can help you store excess luggage and shopping bags while you explore. Visit any of our Galway storage locations and drop off whatever is holding you back.

All you need to know when shopping in Galway

While it’s one of the largest cities in Ireland, Galway is far from massive and can be easily navigated on foot. There are plenty of towns in the surrounding countryside that will have charming little gift shops worth poking into (not to mention absolutely epic landmarks like Aughnanure Castle and bucket/list destinations like the Cliffs of Moher). 

Galway City Centre’s Latin Quarter and Shop Street are two obvious hotspots you’ll likely hit for exploring or pub crawls, and you’ll notice a few dozen craft stores and boutiques. You’ll find a few throughlines if you stop into enough of them. They’ll be locally owned. The owner will likely be there. Said owner will be delightful and will want to engage in friendly conversation. Oh, and everything on offer will exude the charm that brought you to Galway in the first place. Like everything else in Ireland, the shopping experience will be friendly and approachable. 

Most stores will be open every day except for Sundays and bank holidays, but many of the top spots in the city center and Galway's Westend will be trying to cater to the tourists seeking out local products.

Unique shops to visit in Galway City

Ireland is not a country that shies away from national brands. Guinness’s hold on the Irish populace, even with a thriving brewing scene, suggests there would be more ubiquity than there actually is. On the contrary, the Irish adore small businesses, so you can expect most boutiques and shops to be family-run. 

Aran Sweater Market

By far the most popular keepsake for travelers leaving Ireland is a hand-knit sweater lovingly made with local wool. Named for the Aran Islands off the coast of Western Ireland, this company sources its materials from the best farming communities on the island of Inis Mor and other areas near Galway. Their knitwear is the perfect gift or keepsake to bring home for those winter days and an increasingly popular gift is a hand-knit onesie for babies to announce or celebrate a pregnancy. 

• Address: 23 Quay St, Galway City, H91 E3X8

Thomas Dillon's Claddagh Gold 

One of the most beloved traditions of the Irish diaspora is the Claddagh ring used to signify love and commitment. This wonderful shop on Quay Street (near most of the best pubs) dates back to 1750, and will doubtless be one of the oldest shops you'll visit anywhere, let alone, Galway. There’s a museum (really just an exhibit and workshop) in the back of the store that details the mythology and production method behind these wonderful rings. 

• Address: 1 Quay St, Galway, H91 CP22, Ireland

Charlie Byrne's Bookshop 

If you weren’t paying attention, the Irish are a literary bunch. So it shouldn’t be surprising that Galway’s most cherished local business is this old bookshop that’s managed to cram 100,000 books on its shelves. Many of these are used and even first-edition hidden treasures. With a dusty old storefront that would feel claustrophobic if it weren’t so charming, shopping through Charlie Byrne’s feels like a scene out of Harry Potter. One of the most interesting facets of the store is its collection of Irish language literature, which is a huge point of emphasis in Western Ireland, where the old language is being preserved.  

• Address: Middle Street 

Shopping in Galway beyond clothing 

Local Galway shops take their crafts seriously, so expect better products than your run-of-the-mill souvenir shop. 

Moloney Musical Instruments 

If you caught one of the famous pub sessions (where local musicians show up to the pub and start an informal concert) and want to invest in a traditional Irish instrument, the best place in Galway to grab a tin whistle or bodhran is Moloney’s on High Street. Everything is handmade, and the helpful staff will guide you through each instrument and even give you a few pointers. For those not musically inclined, the traditional bodhran drums are often painted and make for lovely decor.

• Pro tip: standard lockers rarely can accommodate anything more than a harmonica, but Bounce’s expanded size capacities allow you to store almost any item. Even better, your brand new fiddle (that we’re absolutely sure you’ll end up mastering) will be covered by Bounce Shield Protection. 
• Address: 17 High St, Galway, H91 X4XR, Ireland

126 Gallery 

Irish art usually consists of fairly conventional paintings and sculptures depicting the countryside or historical figures, but Galway’s most popular gallery is dedicated entirely to contemporary art from students and local artists. It’s by far the best place to find avant-garde paintings and unique sculptures. Situated on Flood Street between the Druid Theatre and Spanish Arch, it’s hardly difficult to reach and is an easy stop on your way into town. 

• Address: 4 Commerce House, Flood Street

Judy Greene's 

Even in a place like Galway, it doesn’t get more quaint than this lovely pottery tucked away in the Latin Quarter. For over four decades, this expert artisan has operated one of the most beloved small businesses in a city that REALLY loves its small businesses. The storefront, located in a 17th-century building off Kirwan’s Lane, couldn't be more suitable for such whimsical merchandise. These expertly-crafted pots and cookware are adorned with Irish-themed artwork and incorporate the surrounding landscapes for spellbinding designs. Her boutique also offers accessories and clothing sourced from local producers. The store is easily overlooked, as it's tucked away at the end of Kirwan's Lane. So keep an eye out for it when you’re shopping through the Latin Quarter. 

• Address: Kirwan's Lane, Galway City

Books At One

For some bespoke aesthetics (not every shop strictly caters to your Irish relatives), head to the nearby town of Letterfrack for all sorts of gift-worthy trinkets and books. The store provides a nice break from the at-times unsurprising traditionality of other Irish shops. It feels more like a shop you’d find in San Francisco or Copenhagen than rural Ireland, making it an intriguing stop if you’re exploring the area or heading to the nearby Connemara National Park. 

• Address: 5 Ellis Workshops, Letterfrack, Co. Galway H91 N8PK
• Pro tip: If you’re driving out to the countryside and don’t have a place to store the bags, you can leave them back in Galway at one of the Bounce locations in town.

Traditional shopping options in Galway

It can’t all be quaint bookstores and sweater shops. Galway, being one of the largest Irish cities, has plenty of straightforward retail options like malls or shopping centers. 

 Corrib Shopping Centre

One of the largest department stores in Western Ireland, this one-stop shop offers everything from groceries to jewelry. You’ll find plenty of international brands alongside well-known Irish goods. It’s situated on Eyre Street right outside of central Galway but is the perfect place to head if you’re setting up shop for a semester abroad or are planning an extended stay in town. 

Eyre Square Centre

While the goods on offer at this shopping center are mainly aimed at practicality, the historic building it’s set in is anything but that. Connected to a large swath of Galway's medieval city walls, Eyre Square Centre provided an intriguing setting for shopping through Dunne's Supermarket, L Newsagents, Penneys, New Look, Virgin Media, and JD Sports located in the shopping center. 

Anthony Ryans

The top spot for international brands and upscale fashion is this large department store. It’s been a fixture on High Street since 1909 and with quality products and very reasonable prices, Anthony Ryan’s hasn’t given any reason why it shouldn't be the go-to shopping destination for the next hundred-plus years. 

• Address: 18 Shop Street, Galway City H91 P5YE

Shopping may not be at the top of your list of reasons to visit Ireland, but the collection of charming local businesses, and wonderful craftsmanship you'll find in Galway can absolutely make your trip more memorable. And if you’re trying to explore the city and shop around on a travel day, Bounce’s secure, luggage storage facilities will be there to handle the bags so you can experience this amazing city stress-free.