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Galway Atlantaquaria, National Aquarium of Ireland

The Promenade, Salthill, Galway

Galway Atlantaquaria, National Aquarium of Ireland is Irelands largest aquarium and one of the West of Irelands premier attractions.

It is home to 170 marine and freshwater species. Highlights include seahorses, friendly rays, sharks and an enormous skeleton of a Fin Whale. The Aquarium offers a truly hands-on experience, and visitors can hold starfish or spiny spider crab in the palm of their hands, help feed hundreds of hungry fish, and explore an underwater world in a model submarine.

Upcoming Events

Explore the Shore 26th May

Because we live in a city, it is sometimes easy to forget about the wildlife all around us. From forests and marshes to beaches and lakes, Galway City probably has the greatest number of wildlife habitats of any city in Ireland.

The Marine Institute, GMIT, Irish Wildlife Trust and Galway Atlantaquaria are teaming up to offer everyone a chance to explore one of Galway City’s most important and exciting habitats, the beach! The event will start at 11.30am at Grattan Beach, Salthill and everybody is welcome to come along and explore the shore.

The shore can appear sometimes appear to be devoid of wildlife but when you start to look closely there is a wonderful amount of activity going on, in the sand, under the rocks and in the rockpools. Experts will be on hand to offer guidance and to help identiify the plants and animals.

Marine litter is an increasing problem on the shores around Ireland.

Researchers from the Marine and Freshwater Research Centre at GMIT will also be exploring the beach to discover the different types of litter. They will be doing a beach clean to remove larger items of debris and looking in the sand and on the strand-line for tiny pieces of plastics known as microplastics.

We will be meeting at the lifeguards hut at Grattan Beach, so come along and help us explore the shore. The event is free and there will be something of interest to people of all ages, just make sure to bring along your bucket and net!

World Oceans Day!

As part of the Galway Sea Festival and to celebrate World Oceans Day, Galway Atlantaquaria and partners will be hosting a family funday at the aquarium on Sunday, 2nd June.

A family funday with activities for all ages is planned for between 11am and 5pm, with specially discounted admission prices on the day.

There will be a range of activities and events throughout the day, with the aquarium displays and exhibits as the perfect backdrop. The main events of the day include:

- The Weather Science Show from Science Ireland!

- Cartoon Drawing workshops with Captain Black John!

- Diving Demonstrations and Fish Feedings!

For younger children there will be storytelling and facepainting while older children can carry out science experiments and a range of arts & crafts activities.

Experts from the Ryan Institute NUI Galway, Marine and Freshwater Research Centre at GMIT, Inland Fisheries Ireland, The Irish Whale & Dolphin Group, the Marine Institute and the Irish Wildlife Trust will have stands there to chat to children and adults about their work.

Artist and sculpture Blessing Sanyanga will also be launching his "Blueprint Exhibition" on the day and running some sculpting workshops for children and adults, so come along and pick up some tips from the expert! More information on the Blueprint Exhibition available here.

World Oceans Day aims to inspire people about the Marine in a fun and friendly way. "A record number of aquariums, zoos, and museums are providing ways on World Oceans Day for their visitors to get inspired and take personal action to help our world's ocean," said Bill Mott, director of The Ocean Project. “World Oceans Day provides an opportunity for people across the country and around the world to celebrate our ocean connections, do more for ocean conservation, and learn more about our ocean!".

"Here in Galway we have a tremendous link to the sea and it's fabulous to see it celebrated as part of World Oceans Day and the Galway Sea Festival" Liam Twomey, Director Galway Atlantaquaria. "We hope that people will come along and enjoy all the activities, shows and exhibits that will be on, on the day!"

So this June Bank Holiday Sunday, come along to the aquarium between 11am and 5pm and enjoy all the activities! For more information contact us as below.

Other attractions include the Lighthouse Gift Shop, Arabica Coffee House and the Royal Villa Restaurant.

Birthday Parties at Atlantaquaria

Galway Atlantaquaria parties are a fun and hassle free way to celebrate birthdays in a safe controlled environment and will provide an unforgettable experience for youngsters of all age groups.Your party package includes:

Dedicated Party Host & Guided Tour of the aquarium where children will get an opportunity to feed the fish, hold starfish and spider crabs.
Birthday Tea & Treasure Hunt
Free Party bag for each child & Special Gift for Birthday Child
Annual Membership to the Aquarium for the Birthday Child.
Free Party Invitations, Free Party Hats, plates etc.

Opening Times

Monday to Friday: 10.00 to 17.00 and Saturday and Sunday 10.00 to 18.00.

Admission Prices

Child €6.25, Adult €10.25, Student/Senior €7.00, Family 2 Adults + 2 Children €29.00, Family 1 Adult + 2 Children €20.00.

Galway Atlantaquaria, the National Aquarium of Ireland, is located on the Seafront Promenade of Salthill, overlooking Galway Bay

Contact Galway Atlantaquaria, National Aquarium of Ireland

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