Best Group Activities in Galway

Best Group Activities

Things to do for small & big groups in Galway

There are few destinations in Ireland better suited for group outings than Galway. The bustling city centre is lined with a wonderful mix of lively traditional Irish music bars, funky nightclubs, fine restaurants and quirky shops. Galway also offers wide selection of group activities to enjoy to make your break all the more fun. Below is a list of the most popular group activities in Galway for your stag party, club outing or a corporate team building event. See also our list of the best Hen Party Ideas for Galway.

Eile Mental 🏹

Eile Mental is a relatively new activity park on the outskirts of Galway City and is very popular for groups of hens and stag parties, company outings or any group looking for an exciting activity close to Galway City. Activities include Paintball, Archery, Laser Tag, Disc Golf, Orienteering and Zorbing.

Address: Furbo, Galway, Ireland
Tel: +353(0) 83 1993333
Eile Mental

Real Adventures Connemara 🏄

Real Adventures Connemara offers exciting adventure sports for groups in some of Galway’s most stunning locations. The ideal wild activity for hen and stag parties, we specialise in giving our customers ‘Real Adventure’ that is accessible to all. You can experience kayaking or coasteering in and around the fabulous cliffs and caves in Cleggan or surfing at Doonloughan, a hidden gem according to the Wild Atlantic Way guide.

Address: Clifden, Galway, Ireland
Tel: +353(0) 85 1462526
Real Adventures Connemara

Rusheen Bay Watersports 🛶

If you’re looking for some adventure on your visit to Galway, Rusheen Bay Windsurfing may just be the place to find it. The leading centre for Windsurfing, Stand-up Paddleboard and Kayaking in Galway City, they can organise group sessions for company team building outings, activities for hen and stag dos and lots of fun on the water for birthday parties. Located in the stunning surroundings of Rusheen Bay Nature Reserve close to Salthill, you will be provided with the latest high end watersports equipment to help ensure your safety and comfort during your session.

Who wouldn’t enjoy seeing a good friend wipe out on a windsurf or stand-up paddleboard or get soaked in a kayak, so get planning your day out with them now.

Address: Rusheen Bay, Barna Road, Galway
Tel: +353(0) 87 2605 702
Watersport activities for groups

Wildlands Adventure Centre 🧗‍♀️

Just 10 minutes from Galway city, Wildlands has indoor and outdoor activities for all ages, including Zip ‘n’ Trek, Zip ‘n’ Trek Junior, Fun Walls, Archery, Bushcraft, Disc Golf, Yoga, Off Road Adventure (mini 4×4 driving), woodland walks, Fairy Trails and more. The newest adventures at Wildlands include the Celtic Challenge Rooms – 24 Crystal Maze style escape rooms with an Irish Mythology twist.

Kayaking and Stand Up Paddleboarding on Ballyquirke Lake runs from March to September. Enjoy a panoramic view of the park and watch people zipping overhead as you dine in the Olive Tree Kitchen.

Two new indoor adventures have also been launched, the Wildlands Ninja Warrior and Cloud Climb Obstacle Courses. Use and develop your Ninja skills to climb, balance, jump and swing across a series of obstacles on the exciting new Ninja Warrior course! Suitable for 8 years and over. Wildlands will also open 14 luxury lakeside cabins later this year for stayovers.

Address: Ballyquirke, Moycullen, Galway, Ireland, H91 WYV2
Tel: +353(0)91 868900
Wildlands for Groups

Irish Dance Experience 💃

For a genuinely fun activity for all ages why not have an Irish Dance lesson with your group. Irish visitors will remember the moves from their school days, while visitors to Ireland, unfamiliar with dancing styles unique to Ireland, can see how it’s done here in Galway by learning from the best! Irish dancing was catapulted to the world stage by Riverdance in 1994 during the Eurovision Song Contest hosted in Ireland. Siobhan Manson is a former lead dancer with Riverdance and owner of the Irish Dance Experience in Galway. You’ll learn how to dance the ceílí group dance, sean nós, the “old style” of Irish dancing, along with well-known Riverdance steps during this afternoon dance experience. Discover the history and origins of these dances and their significance in Irish culture whle enjoying and experience you’ll never forget.

Address: Claddagh Hall, Nimmo’s Pier, Galway, H91 A6Y6
Tel: +353(0) 87 612 3735
Irish dancing for groups

Pure Skill ⚽

One of the more unique group activity options in Galway is provided at Pure Skill. Housed in a 25,000 sq ft indoor sports centre, Pure Skill will test your sporting ability across a wide range of disciplines including Gaelic Football, Soccer, Hurling, Rugby, Tennis, Cricket, Baseball, Basketball, Golf Putting and Golf Chipping. Scores are recorded automatically for each member of your group, so bragging rights are guaranteed for the winner!

Address: Western Distributor Road, Knocknacarra, Galway City, Ireland
Tel: +353(0)91 515510
Pure Skill

Gaelic Games Experience 🏐

At Gaelic Games Experience your group will be immersed in the cultural phenomenon that is Gaelic Games (Hurling, Gaelic Football and Handball). Your group will learn why these games are so popular and will leave with a new passion for Gaelic Games and firsthand knowledge of these hugely popular Irish sports. The experience incorporates elements of the sports tradition, history, culture, and fun. The experience includes:

  • You’ll begin by getting to know the local Gaelic Club. During this brief introduction, discover the myths and legends of the GAA from the knowledgeable coaches and understand why it is impossible to know Ireland and its history without understanding of the GAA’s role in it.
  • Discover the ancient sport of “hurling,” the oldest and fastest field sport in the world, a stick and ball game.
  • Enjoy trying your hand at Gaelic football, the most popular sport in Ireland. Gaelic football combines the skills of various sports, including basketball, rugby, and soccer.
  • Learn how to play Gaelic “Handball,” which involves an alley with four walls, one ball, two to four players, and a frantic tempo. Fun, quick, and open to anyone.

A superb group of enthusiastic coaches brings the experience to life. They’ll teach you the games, coach you in the skills, and then have you play mini-matches, participate in team-building exercises, or if you choose, play a real game.

Address: Renmore, Galway, Ireland
Tel: +353(0) 87 2317794
Gaelic Games Experience for Groups

Galway City Karting 🏎

Experience the rush and excitement of racing around over 20,000 square feet of karting race track during your visit to the west of Ireland. Galway City Karting guarantees a great fun day out for groups of all experience levels. They cater for all sorts of groups including birthdays parties, team building outings, sports and social clubs, stag and hen parties, hen parties and many more. They also have a 25 person seating viewing area with pool tables and video games. So put the pedal to the metal, burn rubber and challenge your friends to win that podium finish.

Address: Liosban Industrial Estate, Tuam Road, Galway
Tel: +353(0) 91 440136
Karting Galway

VR Word – virtual reality experience 🎮

Experience the future at VR World, Galway’s top VR destination! Enjoy 13 VR pods for solo or group gaming, featuring 50+ games from intense shooters to thrilling escape adventures. Race on realistic simulators and host parties in our dedicated room with free arcade games. Suitable for ages 7+, VR World ensures safe fun for all. Get ready to have a blast – your group adventure awaits!

Address: Liosban Industrial Estate, Tuam Road, Galway, H91 P7D3
Tel: +353(0) 91 456134
VR world Galway

More Top Group Activities

Go Surfing 🏄‍♀️

When the weather is bad, the surf is usually good. The west of Ireland doesn’t promise sunshine all year round but it’s position facing the wild Atlantic Ocean means you are pretty much assured of good surfing conditions all year round. With an abundance of surf schools dotted up and down the coast you’ll be spoilt for choice where to go surfing with your group. They’ll provide you with a thick wetsuit and other gear to insulate you from the cold and with a little guidance they’ll have you catching waves in no-time. Lahinch is the most popular surfing destination near Galway and is less than 1hr 30mins from the city by car, with Fanore great too and a little closer at around 1hr 20mins drive. And remember, the best surfer in the world is not the one riding tubes in Hawaii, it’s the one having the most fun, so don’t let ability stop you from giving it a go.

Contact: Lahinch Surf School, Lahinch, Co. Clare | 087 960 9667 | www.lahinchsurfschool.com
Contact: Aloha Surf School, Fanore, Co. Clare | 087 213 3996 | www.surfschool.ie
Surf schools Galway

Cross Footgolf 🦶⛳

Cross Footgolf is Ireland’s first 18 hole footgolf course and is located on what was previously a golf course. Footgolf is a new take on the traditional game of golf that is gaining widespread popularity in Ireland. Played on a normal style of golf course but with oversized holes to fit a football, the objective and rules are no different than those of golf. Competitors must try to get the ball in the hole with the least amount of shots. Leave your heavy bag of golf clubs behind and put your best foot forward to see which one in your group has the best all round power and accuracy to win the game.

This unusual but fun new sport is the perfect activity for your group and ideal for team building or hens and stag parties. Suitable for all ages and experience levels, so start planning your next game of footgolf today.

Address: Cross, County Mayo, Ireland
Tel: +353 087 986 2925
Footgolf in Galway

Astrobay ⚽

With 3 different activities available Astrobay is a great option to entertain your group. They run including the ever popular Bubble Soccer and Tag Archery, which is a mix of Dodge Ball and Archery. They also run their own unique take on the School Sports Day for adults with Giant Egg & Spoon Race, Space Hopper Relay, Wheelbarrow Balance Race, Tug of War, The Great Welly Fling, Flipper and Snorkel Challenge and Sack Race. Astrobay can organise a custom package for your group including transport, food and drink and nightclub entry.

Address: Ballyloughane Road, Renmore, Galway City, Ireland
Tel: +353(0)83 108 8107
Astrobay

Great Escape Rooms 🗝

Great Escape Rooms is a challenging adventure game where you and your team mates have 60 minutes to escape from a locked room. To win the challenge you must find clues, crack codes and solve logic puzzles to find a key that will earn your freedom. Time flies and excitement and laughter ensue as your team works under pressure using all your problem solving skills, powers of observation and gut instincts to work out the puzzle. Great Escape Rooms can accommodate groups of up to 24 or more and offer special group rates. Do you have what it takes to escape?

Address: 27 Abbeygate Street Upper, Galway
Tel: +353(0) 91 536 979
Escape Rooms Galway

Tom O’Hawks Axe Throwing 🪓

Axe Throwing may sound like a dangerous sport, but at Tom O’ Hawks the only risk is that you won’t want to leave. Tom O’ Hawks is operated by its owners who both have several years of experience in the sport and who place your safety as their top priority.

Axe Throwing is similar to darts but with hand axes and the objective is the same, to get the highest score with the best accuracy. It is a fun activity suitable for groups ranging from stag and hen parties, birthdays, company team building outings and anyone looking to try out something different to test their skills. Tom O’ Hawks is part of the World Axe Throwing League which maintains standards in the industry. You’ll find Tom O’Hawks on the grounds of Galway Glamping at Ballyglunin, Tuam, County Galway.

Address: Ballyglunin, Tuam, County Galway
Tel: +353(0) 83 827 5766
Axe Throwing Galway

Clay Pigeon Shooting

Put your skills and accuracy to the test with a Clay pigeon shooting session in Galway. Clay pigeon shooting is a difficult sport to master; where you’ll use a 12/20 bore rifle to shoot down as many clay pigeons that are launched from an electric trap. Your only chance of winning depends on your quick reflexes and keen eye! There are many Clay Pigeon Shooting ranges in Galway.

On the Ashford Castle Estate in Cong, the Guinness shooting experience offers a stunning and unique glimpse into shooting etiquette and local game. Taking place on the grounds of the spectacular estate which is home to the Guinness World Record-breaking Guinness Woodcock Shoot.

Killary Adventure Centre offers a fantastic competitive session for groups in a beautiful setting on the banks of Killary Fjord. Each member of the group gets 25 shots each and bragging rights are reserved for those with the most consistent aim.

The Connemara Shooting School at Ballynahinch Castle Hotel will take you through every aspect of safety, gun handling, and the methods for improving on your personal best. Whether you are a complete novice who has never touched a gun or an experienced shooter who would like to enjoy an hour of shooting, Clay Pigeon shooting at Ballynahinch is a wonderful country pursuit while in the scenic surroundings of Connemara.

Contact: Ashford Outdoors, Ashford, Cong, Co. Mayo | +353 94 9546507 | www.ashfordoutdoors.com
Contact: Killary Adventure, Leenane, Co. Galway | +353 (0)95-43411 | www.killaryadventure.com
Contact: Ballynahinch Castle, Connemara, Co. Galway | + 353 95 31006 | www.ballynahinch-castle.com
clay pigeon shooting galway Galway

Pedal Power 🚲

Pedal Power offers one of the most unique ways to discover Galway City with your friends. This 15 seater pedal powered bike makes quite a stir when travelling around the city so don’t be surprised if you stop passers-by in their tracks when they see you coming. The Pedal Power bike is available for any groups over 12 years old, team building, hens & stag group or for any group looking for a fun alternative way to get around Galway.

Address: Monroe’s Tavern, Dominick Street Lower, Galway
Tel: +353(0) 87 659 7617
Group Bike Galway

Fat Bike Tours 🚵

Fat Bike Tours provide guided off-road and on road biking excursions and bike rentals in Galway, taking you through the most breathtaking landscape in Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. Fatbike tours travel to beaches, bogs, forests, mountains, and ancient sites around Connemara, East Galway and in The Burren. Great fun for groups of up to 8 people.

Address: Galway, Ireland
Tel: +353(0)872259190
Fat Bikes Galway

FAQs about group activities in Galway

What is there to do in Galway with friends/teenagers?

Galway is a mecca for young people with thousands of students attending both NUIG and GMIT, which keeps the city young at heart. You could consider the following activities when hanging out with your friends in Galway:

  • Try Paintball at Eile Mental and Pallas Paintball
  • Test your sporting skills at Pure Skill
  • Go wild at Rusheen Bay Watersports or Wildlands
  • Feed your need for speed at Galway City Karting and Pallas Karting
  • Escape the norm at one of Galways Great Escape Rooms
  • Catch a movie at Salthill or Headford Road Omniplex, The Pálás Cinema or at The Eye Cinema
  • Go up river with a river tour on the Corrib Princess
What are the best things to do for older groups in Galway?
  • Enjoy tea at Coole Park or Brigit’s Garden
  • Go up river with a river tour on the Corrib Princess
  • Catch up with a walk and coffee at the Salthill Promenade
  • Visit Galway City Museum or Katie’s Claddagh Cottage
  • Go lawn bowling at Galway Lawn Tennis Club
  • See seals and dolphins with Galway City Boat Tours.
What unusual attractions are in Galway?
  • The World’s Tallest Round Tower at Kilmacduagh near Gort.
  • Seal Colony at Inis Mór
  • The Worm Hole at Inis Mór
  • Brigit’s Celtic Garden & Calendar Sundial at Roscahill
  • World’s Smallest Claddagh Ring at Dillon’s on Quay Street
  • Pidgeon Hole Cave in Cong
What activities can I do in Galway for my birthday?

Celebrate your birthday with one of the following fun activities in Galway:

  • Pure Skill Galway multisport complex in Knocknacarra
  • Galway City Karting in Liosban Business Park
  • Tom O’ Hawks Indoor Axe Throwing at Ballyglunin, Co. Galway
  • Test your team at an escape room – Great Escape Rooms, Asylroom Escape Rooms in Galway City or Celtic Challenge Rooms at Wildlands, Moycullen
  • Virtual Reality World in Liosban Business Park
  • Ten Pin Bowling at The Planet Entertainment in Galway Shopping Centre

 

Groups visiting Galway enjoy...

dance classes
windsurfing
kayaking
go karting
paintball
pedal bike
zipline
boat tours
escape rooms
surfing
team building
party ideas
Gaelic Games
axe throwing
bubble soccer
sightseeing tours

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