Gort is a town in County Galway in the west of Ireland, with a population of 2900 in 2022. It's in low-lying farming country but is at the edge of the bare limestone plateau of the Burren.
Get in
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By road from Dublin follow M6 west towards Galway, then join M18 south. This runs from Athenry to Gort, Ennis, Shannon airport and Limerick.
Shannon Airport (SNN IATA) has flights from the UK, Europe and North America; none within Ireland. It's 50 km south of Gort and takes 30 min to drive. If you fly into Dublin airport take the direct bus to Limerick then change to Bus 51 or train.
Trains from Limerick Colbert run five times a day, taking 80 min via Ennis. They continue to Athenry, Oranmore and Galway, another hour. See Irish Rail for timetables, fares and online tickets.
1 Gort railway station is 500 m east of town centre. Buy tickets from the machine, there's no ticket office, toilets or other facilities.
Expressway Bus 51 runs hourly from Cork via Mallow, Limerick, Bunratty, Shannon Airport and Ennis, and continues to Galway. From Limerick takes 90 min and from Galway 40 min; from both the last bus towards Gort is around 8PM. Don't take X51, which is non-stop between the airport and Galway.
Get around
[edit]Most sights are a few km from town so you need wheels, a bike will do nicely.
Gort Taxi is on +353 863 917 939.
See
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- Town centre around The Square is late Georgian low-rise. St Colman's Church was built 1825.
- 1 Coole Park is a woodland nature reserve around a scenic lake.
- 2 Kilmacduagh Abbey is a ruin with one of the finest round towers in Ireland, 34.5 m tall.
- Lough Cutra Castle 3 km south of Gort is a 19th century private mansion, no tours.
- 3 Fiddaun Castle is the ruin of a 16th century tower house, 4 km south of Gort. Access only with the landowner's permission, his Border collie will lead you along the 1-km path through the fields.
- 4 Kiltartan Gregory Museum, Kiltartan Cross H91 C85C, ☏ +353 91 632 346. Juky-Aug daily 11AM-4PM. Volunteer-run local history museum. Donation.
- 5 Thoor Ballylee (Yeat's Tower), Ballylee H91 D8F2, ☏ +353 91 631 436. Apr-Sep daily 11AM-5PM. 15th century tower house, owned by the poet WB Yeats from 1916 to 1929 as his country retreat. It then fell derelict but has been patched up. Adult €7.
- 6 Dunguaire Castle: see Ballyvaughan for this upscale events venue in a 16th century tower house.
- The Burren is the stark treeless limestone plateau rising to the west, dotted with prehistoric monuments.
Do
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- Gort Community Centre has a gym and various activities. It's on Ennis Rd opposite Lady Gregory Hotel.
- Golf: Gort GC is 3 km west of town. White tees 1800 yards, par 72.
- Brazilian Day is a fiesta in June - in the 1960s many Brazilians settled here.
Buy
[edit]Aldi supermarket is by the station, Lidl is north side of town and Supervalu is south.
Eat
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Cheap and cheerful places line the main street. They include Granary Pizzeria, Gallery Cafe, Pizza Max, Main Chef Chinese and Supermac's & Papa John's.
Sullivan's Hotel in the Square is a reliable choice, see Sleep.
Drink
[edit]Pubs include The Field, Johnny Walsh, Dicey O'Reilly, O'Donnells and Hartes.
Sleep
[edit]- Sullivan's Royal Hotel, The Square H91 VP77, ☏ +353 91 631 257. Grand trad hotel in town centre. Free parking.
- Woodley B&B, Georges St H91 W222 (by turnoff to station), ☏ +353 91 631 032. Friendly clean B&B.
- 1 Lady Gregory Hotel, Ennis Rd H91 KN2N, ☏ +353 91 632 333. Smart welcoming place southeast edge of town. B&B double €100.
- Naomh Colman, Kilmacduagh H91 F8D2 (by Abbey), ☏ +353 86 377 5150. Charming B&B 3 km southwest of town. B&B double €120.
Connect
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Gort and its approach roads have 4G from all Irish carriers. As of May 2025, 5G has not reached town but is getting close.
Go next
[edit]- Athenry is a trad market town with ruined walls.
- Ennis is surrounded by ruined abbeys and castles.
- The Atlantic coast between Ballycastle and Lahinch is spectacular, with the Cliffs of Moher.