Galway Atlantaquaria

Galway Atlantaquaria stands at the end of the Salthill promenade and keeps its focus on the water immediately outside the door: Atlantic species, Irish river fish and the animals of the local shore. Two floors hold over 170 species, from conger eels and rays to seahorses and a shallow touch pool of starfish and urchins, with a tall ocean tank running through the middle of the building. It is small by European standards, and it works best as a two hour stop when the weather has ruined the plan for the day, or as somewhere to take children after a walk along the prom.

History

The aquarium, the largest in Ireland, holds over 170 species and belongs to the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums; in 2017 it planned Ireland's first penguin exhibit, but Galway City Council rejected it (Wikipedia, Galway Atlantaquaria).

The main sights

• The ocean tank - the tall central display of Atlantic fish.
• The touch pool - shore species handled under supervision.
• Irish river life - tanks of native freshwater fish, including salmon and pike.
• Feeding talks - short sessions with keepers at set tanks through the day.

When to go

Open through the year, and most useful on the wet and windy days that Galway supplies in quantity. Mornings are quieter; afternoons in school holidays are busy and loud. Feeding talks are scheduled across the day and are worth timing a visit around. Allow an hour and a half to two hours, and no more than that.

Before you go

It is small, and anyone who has been to a major aquarium will get through it quickly. Some displays look dated, lighting is deliberately dim in places for the animals, and the ticket feels expensive for the scale of the place. It is built around children, so expect noise. Parking along the promenade is difficult in summer.

Nearby

Salthill promenade runs past the door; Galway city centre is a walk east.

Key facts