St. Nicholas’ Collegiate Church

About the Church

Built around 1320, St. Nicholas’ Collegiate Church is well worth a visit and is the largest medieval parish church in Ireland, which has been in continuous use. Currently serving the Church of Ireland community, the church is dedicated to St Nicholas of Myra, the patron saint of children (the model for Santa Claus) and mariners.
Through the centuries, the church has played a central role in Galway’s history. In 1477, the explorer Christopher Columbus prayed at this church. During the 1600s, two tribe families of Galway extended the church but after the city was besieged in 1652, Cromwellian troops used the church as a stable.
The exterior has numerous carvings of animals and mythical creatures, while inside there are a diverse number of notable artefacts and monuments such as the Crusader’s grave (1300s), the carved baptismal font (1600s), a decorated stone lectern (1500s and the Lepers’ Gallery.
St. Nicholas’ Collegiate Church of Ireland is still a working place of worship and visitors are welcome. It also hosts concerts of classical music and choir singing throughout the year. It opens daily from 9am-7pm.