The church in the heart of the city with the city at its Heart

A welcome message from the
Very Reverend Lynda Peilow

Rector, St Nicholas Collegiate Church
Welcome to our website and thank you for visiting!

In Galway St Nicholas Collegiate Church is a much loved and respected building which has remained present and constant through the centuries. It is also a place of considerable historical significance to generations of people the world over.

It is my prayer and hope that all who come through the doors of St Nicholas will encounter the face of God in the worshipping community and that our worshipping community will be inspired because of their ‘belonging’ to be the church.

Everyone is welcome, and I pray that you may find in St Nicholas a spiritual home, or if you are visiting us that you will have an encounter with God as people have for over 700 years.

Our ancient site ~ Our modern mission

St Nicholas Collegiate church is a gentle giant in the heart of the city and has always held the people in its heart. It has been a sanctuary for thousands, and an example of God’s presence and his love for everyone. Embarking on its 8th century St Nicholas continues to serve Galway city and community as a church, a tourist destination, a heritage site and a centre for the arts.

Schola Cantorum

St. Nicholas’ Schola Cantorum provides the liturgical music and also the musical outreach of the parish community in St. Nicholas’ Collegiate Church.
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Heritage & History

The Collegiate Church of St. Nicholas is the largest medieval parish church in Ireland in continuous use as a place of worship and is at the heart of Galway’s life. A tour through the church will allow you to glimpse part of its rich history. For over 700 years our liturgies are not that far removed from the sights, sounds and smells that graced St Nicholas centuries ago.
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Conservation & Ecology

We have an ancient space to conserve for the future with many projects that are ongoing to secure the structure and culture of this space for future generations.
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Latest News

Discover the most recent news about our church

Corrib Lacemaking Exhibition

Lasadóirí Na Coirbe National Heritage Week runs from 12th-20th of August and celebrates Ireland’s cultural and natural heritage. Not only is our own building a heritage site, but we will [...]
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Our RTE Nationwide feature

Our RTE Nationwide feature We were featured on RTE. We are in the West in the City of the Tribes where visitors from near and far are descending on this [...]
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Opening Hours:

Mon 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Tues 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Wed 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Thurs 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Fri 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Sat 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Sun - Closed
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