Saint Nicholas Church, Galway (must see)

For over seven centuries, the Collegiate Church of Saint Nicholas has stood at the heart of Galway, serving as both a place of worship and a witness to the city’s history. Constructed around 1320, the church was originally built in the Gothic style and has remained a central part of civic and religious life ever since.

In the 16th century, the church was expanded by two of Galway’s leading families, the Lynches and the Frenches, who added side aisles to the nave. This created a distinctive square interior with three parallel roofs. The interior also contains historical memorials, including a gravestone of Adam Bures, a Crusader who died in the 13th century. High above the north aisle, a lepers’ gallery recalls the church’s role in medieval healthcare and social support.

The exterior is adorned with carved figures, including mermaids, a dragon, a lion, and an ape, as well as numerous gargoyles, which were both decorative and functional, channeling rainwater away from the building.

Saint Nicholas’ Church also holds significance beyond Galway. Christopher Columbus is traditionally believed to have visited in 1477, pausing to pray before his later voyages to the Americas. While records of this visit are limited, the connection reflects Galway’s status as an important port city during the late Middle Ages.

The church survived the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland in 1652, when many religious buildings were damaged or destroyed. Over the centuries, Saint Nicholas has continued to serve as an active parish church, maintaining both its spiritual and cultural importance.