Update for Covid 19. The information below can change in the blink of an eye. Most stores as of October 2020 are still operating. but may be closed due to additional restrictions. Some stores are offering a click and collect option or home delivery so contact them to see if they offer these services.
July 2022 update. With restrictions all but gone everything is open. However like everything else, some places have not reopened and are probably closed for good. I’ve updated accordingly.
Despite it’s small size, there’s a surprisingly decent selection of shopping options in the city. Similar to a lot of places these days, a few of the usual international giants of clothing, footwear and the like are all present in Galway, along with a few national chains. There’s also a few local stores which have been around for decades and some only a few years old or less.
As is the case with a lot of retail businesses these days, as one door opens, several close. So by the time you read this, a particular store you may be interested in visiting may have closed down, or has been replaced by a big multinational chain. On a plus, given the small size of the city centre, you probably did not have too far to walk.
Opening hours for most stores is from 09:00 through until 18:00, some may open a little earlier and close a little later, maybe 19:00, Monday to Saturday, with late night opening usually on a Friday.
Some also stay open late on a Thursday up to 20:00 or 21:00. Sunday shopping hours for most places is from 13:00 through to 18:00 with some opening at 12:00 or even a bit earlier.
The main area for shopping is Williams St. down towards Shop St. and then branching off towards High St. and Mainguard St. The Eyre Square Centre shopping mall, boasts over 50 stores, eateries and services. There’s also the smaller Corbett Court which connects directly into the Eyre Square Centre and over on Middle St. you’ll find the tiny CornStore, which has all of about half a dozen options. Up town at the top of Eyre St. is the Corrib Shopping Centre which also has about half a dozen stores, along with a department store and a supermarket.
So with the above information, get the walking shoes on, wallets and handbags at the ready, let’s shop.
Anthony Ryan’s – Men’s, Women’s and kids clothing (18 Shop St. Galway – www.anthonyryans.com)
Ryan’s has been dressing the families of Galway for over 120 years. They occupy two spaces down towards the bottom of Shop St. either side of Buttermilk Walk. It has the biggest menswear department in the city with everything from suits to casual wear and very knowledgeable staff that will gladly help find that perfect tie with your new suit. The woman’s department is equally a good size and there’s a fabric department upstairs. Kids are also well catered for.
Ryan’s Home Store – Kitchen and home (7 Lombar St. Galway – www.anthonyryans.com)
This is the homeware department of Anthony Ryan’s. It has the biggest selection of kitchen ware in the city. If you’re looking for knives, cups, plates, pots, pans, food mixers, hand blenders and every other sort of kitchen gadget imaginable, you’ll probably find it here. Upstairs you’ll find curtains and blinds along with travel gadgets and luggage.
O’Máille – The Original house of style – Men’s and Women’s clothing (16 High St. Galway – www.omaille.com)
No (shopping) visit to Galway would be complete without a visit to O’Máille’s. If you’re looking for hand knitted, made in Ireland clothing, look no further. A few of the items on sale are knitted by their owner and most of the other items are made in Ireland, so the quality is excellent. Both men and women are catered for, think caps, shawls, jumpers, cardigans, tweed jackets and the like.
Kilkenny Shop – Gifts, jewellery, pottery and women’s clothing (6-7 High St. Galway – www.kilkennyshop.com)
This national slightly up-market chain stocks a good selection of Irish products. It sells homeware products, framed art, handmade pottery items plus jewellery and all manner of gifts. There’s a woman’s clothing section upstairs.
Powells (the four corners) – Music and stationery (53 Williams St. Galway – www.powellsmusic.ie)
Located on the cross roads of Abbeygate St. upper and lower. Powells stocks musical instruments, sheet music and musical accessories. It’s one of the most iconic shops in Galway and had been around for decades. They also have a stationery department upstairs.
Treasure Chest – Clothing and gifts (31-33 Williams St. Galway – www.treasurechest.ie)
This large gift store stocks a huge range of gifts and souvenirs. If you’re looking for an Irish gift to take home, whether it’s a throw blanket, crystal, ornaments, tea sets and every other conceivable Irish gift imaginable, your sure to find it here. It also stocks a range of clothing for all the family and the prices are pretty good.
Butlers – Chocolate (40 Williams St. Galway – www.butlerschocolates.com)
A Irish owned international chain offering all things chocolate. You’ll find boxes of chocolate to take home as a gift or you can create your own box from the selection of chocolates on display. They also serve a selection of coffees, such as flat white, cappuccino, mocha etc, along with some pastries, muffins and the like. Also, when it’s done right, the hot chocolate is really good.
McCambridges – Gourmet food and drink (38-39 Shop St. Galway www.mccambridges.com)
Galway’s finest (albeit expensive) food emporium located on bustling Shop St. is a must visit for all things food. It also has a restaurant which we go into more detail in the Galway food page. It offers a good selection of whiskies, craft beers, wine, chocolates, along with breads, jams, chutneys, biscuits etc., the list goes on and on. There’s a deli counter with a good selection of cooked meats along with cheese. You can also get a sandwich made up to take away which are actually very reasonable.
Hartmann and Sons – Jewellery (27-29 Williams St. Galway – www.hartmanns.ie)
Considered by most to be Galway’s best jewellers, it offers high end watches, necklaces, bracelets, earrings and the like, along with gifts, such as pens, cufflinks and wallets. They also offer a large selections of engagement rings and wedding rings. They also have a small selection of Claddagh rings and pendants.
Brown Thomas – Department store (18-21 Eglington Buildings Galway – www.brownthomas.com)
For high end designer fashions, pop into Brown Thomas for a look around. There’s a Men’s department on the lower level floor, the ground floor stocks designer handbags, purses and wallets. There’s also a huge make-up department with all the international brands available. Ladies fashions and shoes are on the 1st floor and there’s also more ladies fashions available on the 2nd floor.
Duffy’s – Fishing & Hunting (5 Mainguard St. Galway) (closed for good apparently – may reopen after restrictions are lifted)
The west of Ireland is world famous for fishing, so if it’s your thing, then get yourself to Duffy’s. You’ll find, rods, bait, hooks and outdoor gear by the bucket load. As the name suggest, they also offer hunting supplies.
Closed for good July 2022
River Deep Mountain High – Outdoor gear and clothing (6, Middle St. Galway – www.rdmh.ie)
Walking boots, rain gear, wet suites and the like are all available at River deep. They also stock sunglasses, maps and causal outdoor clothing, there’s also a small selection of camping gear. If your into canoeing, you’ll find a small selection of gear and canoes available at the back of the shop.
Fat Tony’s – Barber (Unit 2 Middle St. Galway – www.fattonys.ie)
A real Galway success story. There’s several branches scattered around the city, but the most central one is on Middle St. They offer the complete male grooming service, haircuts, beard trimming, hot towel shave etc. They also offer massages, book in advance.
Charlie Byrnes – Book Store (The Corn Store Middle St. Galway – www.charliebyrne.com)
Galway’s most famous book store and it’s best, located on Middle St. at the Corn Store. It offers a good selection of secondhand books and magazines. They also sell new books at competitive prices. There’s always a somewhat interesting window display based on what’s going on in Galway or themed to certain books.
Hazel Mountain – Chocolate (9 Middle St. Galway – www.hazelmountainchocolate.com)
The original Hazel Mountain chocolate factory is located in Co. Clare and is one of just a small few chocolatiers in the country that do “bean to bar”. This branch offers hot chocolate and coffee along with some cakes, usually, gluten-free (ask). On occasion, you can watch the chocolates been finished in store. The packaging is tastefully done and will make a great gift to take home.
Herterich’s – Butchers (1 Lombard St. Galway)
If you’re doing self-catering, or don’t have too far to travel and you love your sausages, well pop into Herterich’s butchers. They specialise in pork products and offer a great selection of house made sausages along with other pork products. The sausages sell out fast especially at the weekend, if it’s available, try the Kungfu sausage, or the pizza sausage. They also do a coffee and maple-flavoured bacon.
Sheridan’s – Cheese mongers (Church Yard St. Galway – www.sheridanscheesemongers.com)
Love cheese? Well there’s only one place in Galway to grab a few blocks of your favourite. They pretty much stock every type of cheese available from local, national and international suppliers. They also have a good selections of gourmet food products, olive oil, mustards, vinegars, etc. There’s also a great selections of charcuterie which they’ll slice for you while you wait. Wine is sold in the wine bar upstairs.
Louis Copeland – Men’ s Clothing (Merchants Rd. Galway – www.louiscopeland.com)
Louis Copeland has several branches all in Dublin, this is the only one outside of the capital. They are an excellent outfitter for men’s clothing and the staff are exceptionally good at matching up shirts, shoes, jackets and everything else. As well as suits and casual business wear they also offered more casual offerings such as jumpers, polo shirts etc. Prices are on the high side but the quality of most of their products is excellent.
Bell Book and Candle – Books & Records (Small Crane Galway)
Located in Galway’s west end, this small secondhand store is fantastic, they stock a decent selection of books for adults and kids along with a few shelves of CDs. They also have a decent selection of vinyl available and if you’ve got any to sell, this is the place. No surprise, they also sell candles.
Ernie’s – Grocery’s (6 Sea Rd. Galway)
If you’re looking for fresh fruit and veg, along with a selections of organic products, you’ll find it in Ernie’s. There’s also some wine available and there’s a small fresh fish counter. Flour, grains, pulses, pastas and the like are also available.
Evergreen – Health Store (1 Mainguard St. & Unit 18-19 Eyre Square Shopping Centre Galway (city) – www.evergreen.ie)
If you need to get your health kick on, or nurse your hangover after a night out on the town, then the people at Evergreen will offer a helping hand. They have a large selection of food products to meet almost every dietary requirement, along with skin friendly products for personal use. They have several branches around Galway city and county. In the city you’ll find a branch in the Eyre Square Centre and Mainguard St. at the corner of High St.
Cobwebs – Antiques Jewellery and gifts (7 Quay Lane Galway – www.cobwebs.ie)
One of Galway’s more famous stores. This little gem of a place specialises in one of a kind pieces of jewellery, such as diamonds, rubies and sapphires along with engagement rings. They also have a selection of brooches, necklaces and antique silverware. Irish designers are also well represented. For such fine jewellery of course, one must pay a fine price.
Cloon Keen Atelier – Candles and Cosmetics (21a High St. Galway – www.cloonkeen.com)
As the name suggests, candles and cosmetics are the offerings in Cloon Keen. Set up by two people who worked in the film industry which is also the inspiration for some of their products. All of their products are made in Galway, just a few Km out the road near the village of Spiddal. The products are of a very high standard and the owner is very helpful in helping you decide what works best for you.
July 2022 update – they are no longer opening from this address but are still in business
Dungeons and Doughnuts – Gaming (21 Abbeygate St. upper, Galway – www.dungeonsanddonuts.net)
If you’re down with your AD&D, RPG, FNM and CCG, well get yourself to Galway’s premier gaming store. Located on busy Abbeygate street upper, Dungeons and Doughnuts is a gamer’s paradise. You’ll find a large range of board games, card games, models and gaming supplies. There’s a board gaming library where you can rent a game to play, while supping on coffee and munching on doughnuts. If you’re visiting Galway over the October bank holiday weekend, they have an annual 25 hour gameathon for charity, squeezed into 24 hours. It’s a fantastic event.
My Shop Granny likes it – Gifts and Jewellery (Upper Abbeygate St. Galway – www.myshopgranny.com)
This small gift store is easily one of the best in the city. You’ll find a great selection of Irish made and Galway made gifts. Humourist prints, greeting cards, ceramics and napkins are all available. They also have a really good selection of handmade local and Irish jewellery. The staff are very friendly.
Woodberrys – Wine (3 Middle St. Galway – www.woodburys.ie)
If your new to the world of wine, or perhaps you’re a connoisseur, well get yourself to Woodberrys. This tiny shop has a fantastic selections of European and new world wines. The very experienced staff will help you find a bottle or two that may be to your liking. There’s a tiny selection of food items, such as coffee, pasta, chocolates and some cordials. They also do wine appreciation courses in the small store room downstairs and usually have small events during the Galway food festival (check online).
cjfoodandtravel 