Cead Mile Failte at Tig Cóilí’s in Galway, Ireland

Posted on April 17, 2012 by lesleycarter

Traditional Irish music 7 nights a week, young, friendly, good-looking staff, and a great atmosphere make Tig Cóilí in Galway, Ireland one of my favorite finds during my European trip.

Tig Cóilí is situated on Mainguard Street at the end of Shop Street in Galway, Ireland and is always filled to the brim like the great Guinness that they serve.

I arrived at Tig Coili on a hot July night and people were overflowing from its front door. A
musical ceilidh was already in session with local and travelling musicians joining in.

I was welcomed by a member of the family run pub who found the time to mingle with the guests, serve excessive amounts of alcohol, and play with the band when he was not needed behind the bar.

After a few short hours of enjoying the surroundings, drinking more than my body weight in beer, and talking with pretty much everyone in the pub, I felt like I was part of something more. I was emerged in the culture and environment that is uniquely Irish and I never once felt out of place or unwelcome.

The people intermingled inside and out with little restrictions on where you could go with drinks. When stopped by a police officer because I was holding a glass bottle, he simply gave me a plastic glass, smiled, and told me to enjoy my night.

Tig Cóilí is a great place to go and soak up the heart of Ireland, where dancing in the streets isn’t just a saying.

If you find yourself within 20 miles of Galway, stop in Tig Cóilí and chat with Aonghus O’Flaherty; he might just be the nicest Irishman alive, and that’s saying something! Ciad Mile Failte doesn’t quite cut it.

53 thoughts on “Cead Mile Failte at Tig Cóilí’s in Galway, Ireland”

betsyk1 on April 17, 2012 at 9:40 pm said:

We went to Ireland–all over, including Galway, on our honeymoon. LOVE it!

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Valentina Author on April 17, 2012 at 10:03 pm said:

I can feel the enjoyment. Ireland is a nice place.

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alpinedon on April 17, 2012 at 10:07 pm said:

Sounds wonderful!

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Lucian Bureriu on April 17, 2012 at 11:05 pm said:

Nice !

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thesweetkitten on April 17, 2012 at 11:40 pm said:

You really enjoyed yourself, didn’t you? Then it’s about time to come to Belgium and taste some of our beers 🙂 🙂

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eof737 on April 18, 2012 at 2:04 am said:

I’m finally catching up but will have to come back and comment later on other/ future posts. Thanks for your patience! 🙂

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jessienileacai on April 18, 2012 at 2:17 am said:

I love Tig Coilis, I lived in Galway 5yrs in the Gaeltacht – the irish speaking area and we used to sing in there all the time and people would buy us drinks. Great craic. Funny tho how people pronounce it as ‘tig co-lie’ hahaha when it’s ‘chee colee’ as ‘Tig/Ti’= house and ‘Coili’ = Coleman, who own’s the place, Coleman’s house. Glad you enjoyed yourself, Failte

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customtripplanning on April 18, 2012 at 2:29 am said:

Perfect find!!! When you experience a real life situation in a foreign country to achieve a level of travel that tourists never do.

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Cynthia Ann Katon-Alfonso on April 18, 2012 at 2:38 am said:

Yes, I know this place, i bought a harmonica and penny whistle present for my daughter who loves Irish music. Ireland is an enchanting place to visit, thanks for this post!

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loiselsden on April 18, 2012 at 2:41 am said:

I’d love to go and explore this area more thoroughly – only passed through it a couple of times! Go raibh maith agat! Love the post!

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Michelle Gillies on April 18, 2012 at 2:53 am said:

Ireland is the one place I still yearn to visit and I always imagine it to be as much fun as this.

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rtd14 on April 18, 2012 at 3:26 am said:

I love the small pubs I went to in England. Your pictures show the fun and friendly spirit. I love the one where the man is dancing in the street. Looks like such much fun!

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blisstravelsnews on April 18, 2012 at 3:50 am said:

I love that small town, village, historic feel that European places have. Even though the feel is different between Ireland and France –that “feel” is the same.

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blisstravelsnews on April 18, 2012 at 3:52 am said:

Sorry –:) I meant to say that “element” is the same!!! (too early)

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k2globalcommunicationsllc on April 18, 2012 at 3:55 am said:

One of Our Favorites Also! Whenever we are in Ireland for Business we always find the time to sneak away for a few…Moments! 🙂

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terry1954 on April 18, 2012 at 4:14 am said:

thank u for sharing.

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backyardprovence on April 18, 2012 at 4:56 am said:

Police officer saying have a great night while you have a drink in your hand in the street = fun times and yippey in Ireland. That rocks!
Ashley

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eurobondgirl on April 18, 2012 at 4:57 am said:

One of my all time FAV places to go! I was there in 2009. Love Galway and the people there. Thanks for showing the pub and letting me re-live my memories 🙂

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V. on April 18, 2012 at 5:05 am said:

Reblogged this on New York City Marketing and commented:
Add your thoughts here… (optional)

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versa kay on April 18, 2012 at 5:11 am said:

I love Ireland. I had been to Old Town Alexandria, Va.

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wordsfromanneli on April 18, 2012 at 5:24 am said:

Never been there but it sounds like a fun time.

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coolcounterculture on April 18, 2012 at 6:18 am said:

Nice write up and I’m glad you enjoyed it. I’m from Ireland myself, living in Dublin but I spent some time living in Galway and it’s a pretty unique place. Irish pubs are like no other pubs in the world though so I’d recommend everybody to get over here and try them out. They’re always great fun and I hope that identity is never lost from this country.

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Lois Farley Shuford on April 18, 2012 at 6:40 am said:

Love Galway and Tig Coili! Great music, great pints, great craic!

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Eagle-Eyed Editor on April 18, 2012 at 6:48 am said:

Bet the music was amazing. Any info on what the name of the pub means in English? I’m curious.

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12thsonoflama on April 18, 2012 at 7:32 am said:

Love Ireland but never been to Galaway. A friend and his wife just got back though and made the same comment about the pubs there. Such a friendly atmosphere!

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susanmcdanielcruisenews on April 18, 2012 at 7:50 am said:

Have a client going to Ireland. I will direct her here. Thanks!

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susanmcdanielcruisenews on April 18, 2012 at 7:51 am said:

I have a client heading to Ireland. I will direct her here. Thanks!

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Say Gudday on April 18, 2012 at 8:15 am said:

My wife went to Ireland last year and made life long friends there. She had a great time.

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movingforeword on April 18, 2012 at 10:15 am said:

I’ve been lucky enough to live in Ireland a couple of times and may well end up there in the future. Really enjoyed this post–brought back many fond memories!

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bookzine on April 18, 2012 at 10:59 am said:

Being of Irish descent, I know the people in Ireland are warm and friendly – it’s a great place.

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Heather C.J. Atkins on April 18, 2012 at 12:08 pm said:

It was so depressing visiting Ireland while I was pregnant! No Guinness for me! Now I’m jealous that I can’t go back and indulge because I’m too afraid to travel far with my 7 month old. Jetlagged baby sounds like a less than enjoyable time. Hopefully I’ll be doing another Irish review soon but will enjoy your posts in the meantime. 🙂

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myhealthyohana on April 18, 2012 at 3:29 pm said:

Galway was one of my favorite stops during our Ireland trip, loved the energy there! We will have to check this place out if we go back!!

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Profesor on April 19, 2012 at 9:09 am said:

Sounds like a proper friendly pub and worth a visit (not sure about the guinness though!). It’s the spontaneous nights that are the best.

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kshap on April 19, 2012 at 7:41 pm said:

So glad I read this! My family and I are going hiking/sight seeing in Ireland in May — now I’m off to read all your other Ireland posts, thanks!

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granbee on April 21, 2012 at 8:55 am said:

So pleased to learn this specific spot to find authentic Irish music 7 days a week in Galway. My reading has lead me to believe that Galway is quite the center for mainting the Irish language and culture.

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sirpasalenius on April 21, 2012 at 9:43 am said:

Ireland is on my long long list of places I want to visit. Will make sure to go listen to some traditional Irish music in Galway. Thanks for sharing this!

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The Low Fat Chick on April 21, 2012 at 1:31 pm said:

I went to Ireland last month and just loved it. Must go back! Looks like you had a fabulous time.

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daribix on April 30, 2012 at 6:57 am said:

brings back memories…i used to live in Galway and work at the restaurant next door…it was called Fat Freddy’s back then.
love it!

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shermangerherd on June 16, 2012 at 7:53 am said:

Colour me Jealous!

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lovzies on August 1, 2012 at 6:57 pm said:

Love it! This sounds like so much fun! I have always loved Ireland. Galway is on my list for our next trip.

Cheers!

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writeondon on August 20, 2012 at 8:28 am said:

Galway is always great craic – a must see for all visitors!

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Deb W. Trotter on September 8, 2012 at 1:03 pm said:

Thanks for this reminder of my husband’s and my most memorable trad music experience at Tig Coili back in 2008. The place was jammed with locals who were totally welcoming. They joined in singing Irish songs while waiting for the musicians to arrive, and the Guinness was everywhere!

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castagnetocc on September 9, 2012 at 1:58 am said:

What a wonderful city !! I miss Dublin and Ireland as well !!!!!

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thepineapplepages on September 23, 2012 at 10:50 am said:

I LOVE Ireland! Might be my favorite place in the world!

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hayes17 on November 15, 2012 at 6:43 am said:

Fantastic review! I’m sure ill get to it as well on my blog, haha. Ireland is such an amazing place, and I loved every minute of when I lived in Galway myself. I look forward to checking out more of your posts.

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itainteasybeingginge on November 16, 2012 at 7:03 am said:

I’m Irish,(I’m from Limerick), but living in Budapest at the moment. I love this post and I really miss home! Would love a good session!!

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Arianna Merritt, M.Ed. on December 3, 2012 at 8:26 pm said:

I love Ireland, and was just there last summer. Galway is beautiful!

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AlwaysARedhead on January 9, 2013 at 12:12 pm said:

I had the opportunity to visit Ireland a few years ago, and I can’t wait to go back. I had a number of favourite places, Dublin and Glendalough in the Wicklow mountain was just beautiful.

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Zhenya on February 1, 2013 at 7:48 am said:

I am actually planning a trip to Conne Mara. Galway was on my list of Idle Awhile spots. Now Tig Cóilí is added to the itinerary!

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MauraWrites on February 5, 2013 at 8:03 pm said:

Aw, I did my Masters in Writing degree in Galway – one of the best years of my life, not least because of the city itself. I’m Irish born and raised and even I can acknowledge the magic of Galway 🙂 Thank you for sharing your experiences!

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