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Galway (Ireland)

Cruise Port schedule, live map, terminals, news

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Galway cruise port

Region
Ireland - UK - British Isles

Local Time
2026-11-13 07:23

min: 36 °F (2 °C) / max: 45 °F (8 °C) 39°F
4°C
Wind: 129°/ 1.5 m/s Gust: 1.5 m/sWind: 129°/ 1.5 m/s Gust: 1.5 m/sVery Light
1.5 m/s
Min / Max Temperature45 °F / 8 °C
36 °F / 2 °C
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Port Galway cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Galway, Ireland. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.

DayShipArrivalDeparture
10 May, 2026
Sunday
Saga Cruises Cruises cruise lineSpirit of Adventure08:0017:00
14 May, 2026
Thursday
Aurora Expeditions Cruises cruise lineDouglas Mawson
20 May, 2026
Wednesday
Aurora Expeditions Cruises cruise lineDouglas Mawson

Galway (port locode IEGWY) is a port city in western Ireland (Connacht province). The port is located on the River Corrib, between Galway Bay and Lough Corrib (lake). Galway is Ireland's 4th most populous urban area and the 6th most populous city (population around 80,000).

In 2009, major works in Galway's harbour area was carried out to serve as a stopover for the Volvo Ocean Race (offshore sailing boat race). It returned in June 2012 with the race's finale, which was unprecedented in the history of Volvo Ocean Race.

In 2020, Galway will be European Capital of Culture, together with Rijeka Croatia. Famous as the Cultural Heart of Ireland, the city is renowned for its numerous festivals, celebrations, themed events, and vibrant lifestyle. Every November, the city hosts the Tulca Festival of Visual Arts.

P&O Cruises ship Oriana arrived in Galway on August 30, 2017. Carrying a total of 1928 passengers plus 794 crew, the 70,000 GT vessel became the largest ever to visit the port. The boost for the city economy from MV Oriana alone (projected visitor spending) was ~EUR 200,000. The ship was on a 7-day Ireland cruise roundtrip from Southampton (itinerary August 25 - September 1) with prices starting from USD 600 pp (double occupancy Inside cabin rates). Next table shows the itinerary's ports of call and arrival dates.

Date / TimePort
25 AugDeparting from Southampton, England
27 AugCobh-Cork, Ireland
28 AugDublin, Ireland
29 AugKillybegs, Ireland
30 AugGalway, Ireland
01 SepArriving in Southampton

Regular freight and passenger ferry services are offered between Galway City and Aran Islands. The islands also have regular ferry links with Doolin and Rossaveal.

Bus tours visit the Cliffs of Moher (sea cliffs running approx 9 mi / 14 km along the coast), Bunratty Castle, Killarney (on Lough Leane's northeastern shore), Ring of Kerry (tourist route running 111 mi / 179 km from Killarney to Killorglin).

Galway cruise terminal

Currently, Galway Harbour can handle ships with max DWT (deadweight tonnage) up to 10,000 tons. The inner dock has berthing capacity of 9 vessels at a time.

Port Galway is the most central on Ireland's western coast, and located in the eastern corner of Galway Bay. Pending approval, the harbour may see major changes - if an EUR 1,5 billion port development plan goes ahead. The planned port expansion project is set for approval in 2021. It will allow cruise ships to be moored/docked pierside instead of the current anchoring and tendering passengers ashore. For vessels larger than 50,000 GT-tons (1000+ passengers) the cruise port will charter a local ferry operator to assist the tendering of the disembarking tourists.

 

Easy independently. Once ashore, Galway’s Latin Quarter, River Corrib and cathedral are close enough to explore on foot. The Claddagh and Salthill are good extensions if you have more time. Trips to the Cliffs of Moher or Connemara are best suited to a long call.

Getting from the Cruise Port

Cruise ships generally anchor in Galway Bay and tender passengers to Galway Docks. From the harbour landing area, allow roughly 10–20 minutes on foot to Spanish Arch or Eyre Square, depending on the landing point. You can explore central Galway without a shuttle or taxi. Confirm your landing point and the last tender time with the ship before heading out.

Self-Guided Walking Tour

Latin Quarter, River Corrib and Eyre Square

Easy. Allow roughly 3 km (1.9 mi) round trip from the harbour landing, 45–55 minutes of walking and 2–3 hours with stops. The route is mostly level, with street crossings and some uneven paving in the old centre. Start at the tender landing and follow the public streets towards Spanish Parade.

  1. Spanish Arch and Galway City Museum. Begin at the river mouth. Allow 30–45 minutes for the free museum if it is open. The museum closes on Mondays and has seasonal Sunday hours.
  2. Quay Street and the Latin Quarter. Head up Quay Street and High Street for the pedestrian lanes, cafés and shops.
  3. St Nicholas’ Collegiate Church. Turn towards Market Street to see the church, then head down Bridge Street towards the Corrib.
  4. River Corrib and Galway Cathedral. From O’Brien’s Bridge, follow the riverside path north and cross the pedestrian bridge beside Salmon Weir Bridge to reach the cathedral.
  5. Eyre Square. Cross back over the Corrib and head to the square via Eglinton Street. Return to the harbour landing via the city streets around Merchant’s Road, allowing up to 20 minutes for this final leg.

Other Ways to Spend Your Time

Claddagh and the Salthill Promenade

Easy independently. From Spanish Arch, cross Wolfe Tone Bridge and follow the waterfront through Claddagh Basin towards South Park and Grattan Beach. Allow 60–90 minutes from the harbour for a short out-and-back walk with stops. With 2–3 hours, continue along the promenade towards Blackrock and return on foot or by taxi. The waterfront is mostly flat and exposed to wind and rain.

Cliffs of Moher

Organized excursion recommended. A direct coach trip from Galway takes about 5¼ hours round trip, including time at the cliffs. Allow additional time to reach the pickup point and get back to the tender. Bus Éireann route 350 also serves the visitor centre. If travelling independently, check that the timetable leaves room for a later return bus if you miss your planned one. The viewpoints are exposed, and low cloud can obscure the cliffs.

Connemara and Kylemore Abbey

Organized excursion recommended. Kylemore Abbey is about 1 hour 15 minutes from Galway by car in normal conditions. A scenic coach trip with stops in Connemara can take around 7½ hours from the city, so choose it only on a long call. For a shorter visit, a prearranged private transfer can focus on the abbey and lakeside grounds.

Returning to the Ship

Plan around the ship’s posted last tender time. For a city walk, aim to be back at the landing 30–45 minutes before that cutoff to allow for queues. For trips outside Galway, build in a larger margin for road delays, the walk from your drop-off point and the tender queue.

Galway hotels