Galway Aquarium
Galway Aquarium is the National Aquarium Of Ireland is located on the Seafront Promenade of Salthill, overlooking Galway Bay
Galway Aquarium is designed over two floors, where visitors follow a vivid interpretation of the Irish aquatic landscape, from the the glacial mountain streams of Connemara, down through the famous River Corrib and out into Galway Bay. They have a wealth of marine life at the Galway Atlantaquaria, each more special than the next. include salmon, sea horses, octupus, stingrays and a real 60ft whale skeleton. Galway national aquarium also has four types of native Irish sharks including the rare angel shark and venomous spurdog.
Families can take part in the feeding, explore the model submarine, and even hold starfish and giant spider crabs.
At Galway Atlantaquaria they have an abundance of facilities to make your visit to them more enjoyable, including: - wheelchair accessibility, tour translation sheets, Arabica Coffee Houseserving hot and cold snacks and meals and the Lighthouse Gift Shop.
The Children's Science Workshops take place in the Explorer Laboratory:- Ireland's only Interactive Children's Laboratory!
Each day long workshop introduces children to the world of marine life and marine science through exciting experiments and hands-on activities.
The Workshop includes studies with microscopes, a beach excursion, tour of Atlantaquaria, and experiments, activities and talk in The Explorer Laboratory and Nautilus Classroom.
Take A Tour Of Galway Aquarium
Talks throughout the day during summer on variety of topics including Fin Whale, Touch Pool, Fresh water Fish Feeding etc. Staff on hand at all times to answer questions and show you around if you wish- free of charge.
Every Day at 15.00 there is a guided feeding tour of the larger fish in the aquarium and at 16.00 a guided feeding tour ofthe baby and juvenile fish in the aquarium.
At weekenda and school holidays there are guided tours and talks at 11.00, 12.00, 13.00, 14.00 and 17.00.
Family Fun Tip:- Remember, your ticket is valid all day, so you can come back for any tour throughout the day!
Galway Aquarium Exhibition
- Ray Pool
- The Harbour
- Splashpool
- Estuary
- Lightouse
- Millpond
- Submarine
- Touch Pool
- Ocean Tank
- Ray Pool
Galway Aquarium Opening Times
- Monday To Friday - 9.00 to 17.00
- Saturday and Sunday - 9.00 to 18.00
They are open 7 days a week for the Spring and Summer. They close some Mondays and Tuesdays from October to February for essential tank maintenance.
Galway Aquarium Admission:
- Child - €6.25
- Adult - €10.25
- Student/OAP - €7
- Family (2 adults and 2 children) - €29
- Family (1 adullt and 2 children) - €20.00
- Children under 3 have free admission.
- Group discount for groups of 8 or more (10%)
Annual Membership
Fancy being a part of the Team? You can enjoy Atlantaquaria membership from just 20 euro for a whole year! Membership entitles you to free access to Atlantaquaria for the year, 10% discount in the Lighthouse Gift Shop, free entry to all Family Fun days and special events, and much more.
- Family (2 Adults + 2 Children) €100
- Family (1 Adult + 2 Children) €85
- Extra Child €20
- Adult €45
- Student/Senior €35
- Child (3 - 14 yrs) €20
Birthday Parties At Galway Aquarium
Parents: sit back, relax and let the Guide take care of the kids for two hours on a Fun-Filled Birthday Party at Galway Aquarium The party will cost €16 and includes:
- Full-Guided Tour of Aquarium (Fish feeding, holding crabs and starfish etc.)
- Party meal in private Party Room (Meal is Burger/Sausage/Nuggets and Chips and Drink)
- Party pack for each child
- Birthday Present for Birthday Child (Includes T-shirt, Party Pack, Annual Membership to Bradán Club)
- Treasure Hunt
You can have your party any day from 10.00 - 15.00. (and to 16.00 at weekends)
Booking Essential Tel. (091) 585 100
School Tours At The Galway Aquarium
The team at the aquarium have put together a new School Tour package of a full guide tour which includes
- 58 exhibits containing 170 species; ranging from Seahorses to Octopus to Pike and many more
- Real 60 foot Fin Whale Skeleton – the largest skeleton on show in Ireland
- Talk and Video in our special Lecture Room (if requested)
- The Model Lighthouse
- Feeding the fish– including theravenous Trout, and finger nibbling Mullet
- Opportunity to hold or touch Starfish, Irish Shark, and our giant Spider Crab
- Meet Valentine, the world's only captive White Skate
- Study Worksheets
The price of the one hour tour is just €4.75 per child, but we can arrange more detailed talks and tours to suit your needs and budget - just phone or email for more information. With all tours, one accompanying adult goes free per 8 children..
For more information School Tours or to make a booking, you can contact Galway Aquarium on 091-585 100
Galway Aquarium Science Workshop
The science workshop "Be a Marine Scientist for a Day" takes place in Ireland's only Interactive Children's Laboratory, the Explorer Laboratory
Each day-long workshop introduces children to the world of marine life and science through animal feedings and encounters, beach exploration, digital microscope studies, and exciting experiments and hands-on activities.
At the end of the Workshop, each participant will receive a signed Certificate of Completion.
- Classification :- Kids Workshop / Ages 7 - 12
- Admission: €40
Sample Itinerary
The day will start with an introduction to marine science. After that, you will get started on the fish print t-shirts.
At around 11:00, you go to Salthill beach and explore plants and animals there. When you get back to the lab, you will study the finds with the microscopes.
At around 13.00 it will be time for lunch at Salt and Pepper in Salthill. After lunch, they will go on a tour of the aquarium where you carry out experiments and animal feedings and observations. You also get a chance to go behind the scenes!
At 14.00 it's back to the Explorer Lab for some hands-on science experiments. What makes a current? Can sand really clean dirty water? Which is denser, salt water or fresh water? How does sonar work? They will find the answers to all these questions and more.
At 15.30, after the experiments, it's time for a well-deserved snack and a break. And finish the day by completing the fun Marine Scientist worksheets and receiving your Certificates of Completion.
Galway Aquarium Summer Camps
Galway Atlantaquaria are delighted to announce that Science 4 Summer will be held again this year during July and August. This year the Science Summer Camp is available for children from 8-12 year of age. It will run from Monday-Friday from 10.00 - 15.00 and will include:
Day 1: Science by the Sea: Learning all about the properties of water and carrying out water experiments in the explorer’s laboratory.
Day 2: Seashore Safari: A visit to Salthills beaches to investigate life on the seashore
Day 3: Incredible Invertebrates: learn all about the amazing invertebrates that live in our oceans and the aquarium. Study some seashore invertebrates under our digital microscopes and carry out a squid dissection.
Day 4: Fantastic Fish: Learn all about the fish that live around Ireland, feed the fish in the aquarium and carry out a fish dissection.
Day 5: What’s under the Sea: Learn all about the other animals that live in oceans, such as marine mammals and turtles, and make a seabed model to take home.
The course will include classes, experiments, games and arts and crafts and outdoor activities, weather permitting, and will be carried out in the Explorers Laboratory, Nautilus Classroom, in the aquarium and the seashore.
The cost is €99 for the week, which includes all materials and drinks and snacks for the students.
Booking Essential Tel. 091 585100
Galway Aquarium Directions
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