The main shopping area runs south from Eyre Square towards the Corrib. This pedestrian zone includes Williams Street, Shop Street, High Street, Mainguard Street and Quay Street. Along it you can find all kinds of high street and artisan shops, pubs and restaurants. The historical buildings and busy atmosphere also make this area one of the attractions of Galway. Middle Street, which runs parallel to Shop Street, is a particularly good street for finding a range of inspiring and creative local enterprises, including the Irish-speaking theatre 'An Taibhdhearc', the Cocoon designer studio and Charlie Byrne's Bookshop among others.

As the name suggests, this street is lined with shop after shop and the chain is only interrupted by the occasional pub. It is the main street of the city and actually continues on into two further streets, which contain more shops, bars and restaurants. If you are going shopping then this is where you should begin.

Church Lane by St Nicholas' Church
This market outside St Nicholas' Church sells a lot of different things. The locals use it mainly to buy fresh fruit and vegetables but there are different knick knacks that can be of interest.
Open Sat, 8am-6pm and Sun, 12pm-6pm.

Eyre Square and Shop Street
This shopping center, located just off Eyre Square and Shop Street, is packed full of shops and you're almost certain to find what you are looking for under its roof. A unique thing about this center is that parts of the old Galway City Walls have been built into the center and is visible as you walk around.
Open daily from 9am-6pm.

Bridge Street
This is a great shop to get some antique silver jewelry and local crafts. Along with the shop there is a restaurant. The building itself is impressive and worth a look just to see the old mill.

Thomas Dillon, 1 Quay Street
This is one of the oldest jewelers in Ireland, having been established in 1750. They are the original manufacturers of the famous Claddagh rings and this is shown by the fact that they are the only jewelers allowed to stamp 'Original' on their rings. Named after an old fishing area in the county, the rings were worn to indicate marriage but now they are just a token of friendship and are worn by Irish and Irish descendents the world over. There is also a small museum located in the shop for those interested in the history of the Claddagh Ring.
Open Mon-Sun, 10am-7pm.