Nora Barnacle House, Galway

The Nora Barnacle House, located in Galway City, is renowned as the tiniest museum in Ireland. It is a small family home where Nora Barnacle, James Joyce's wife and muse, grew up. The house, built in the 1800s, comprises two rooms and a tiny backyard, with the ground floor room serving as a kitchen, dining room, and at times, a bedroom.

Nora and her siblings grew up in a simple yet happy environment, where food was cooked on an open fire, water was sourced from a nearby pump, and sleeping arrangements were divided among two communal bedrooms. At the time, the street was dominated by men from various trades, including soldiers, farmers, butchers, and carters, owing to its proximity to military barracks and abattoirs. Nora left for Dublin in 1904, where she met James Joyce and began their extraordinary love story.

After returning to Galway with Joyce, Nora visited her childhood home for the last time in 1922, while her mother continued to reside there until 1940. The house remained deserted for almost two decades until Mary and Sheila Gallagher bought it in 1987 and lovingly restored it to its former glory.

The house is an essential part of Irish literary history, as James Joyce first met his mother-in-law there. It now holds numerous letters, photos, and other memorabilia, shedding light on the lives of the Joyces and the Barnacles. During summer, guided tours are available.