What's open in Galway on Christmas Day 2025

Christmas Day is a major public holiday in Ireland. 

Almost everything is closed:  This is a list of the things that are open in Galway on Christmas day.

It's a work-in-progress, but there probably won't be many live-updates on the day, because there's probably much not much to add!

Churches!

Almost-all churches in Galway will be open, for at least a while.   The a few exceptions eg evangelical churches, which choose to only meet on Sundays or small ones where there the minister has a large area to cover.

There's a list of service times in Catholic churches, including Christmas Mass times, here.

St Nicholas Church of Ireland have sung Festive Sung Eucharist at 11am.

There's a list of other churches here:  check their websites for services.

Cemeteries

New Cemetery Bohermore:  gates open 10:30am - 4:15pm

Rahoon Cemetery:  gates open 10:30am - 4:15pm

Public services

The hospital and main garda (ie police) stations are open

The bus and train stations are not open.

There's information about public transport here.  In short, a few taxis are operating, but you need to book by phone or app because the offices will be closed.

Government offices, public buildings and city / county council services are closed.

Pubs / Restaurants / Cafes

Some Galway hotels serve Christmas dinner - but these are usually booked out in advance.  Effectively they aren't open to the public.

Restaurants / cafes that will be open and serving food to the general public in Galway on Christmas day 2025 include:

Ayran Pizzaria - Iranian Christmas Dinner for people who are alone,  8pm - 10pm.  

Bookings essential, details here 

Charcoal Grill, Mary Street  (to be confirmed, but they usually open)

Munch Haven - open from 12-noon until "late"

Shops

Shops that are open on Christmas Day 2025  (or have announced they will be)

To be updated as information comes to hand!

Shops that were open in 2024, and are likely to be open in 2025

Londis Newcastle (opposite the main hospital entrance) is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - including right through the Christmas season.   This is a newsagent, convenience store and food hall

Garage / petrol station convenience stores that are open 24 x7 normally stay open.   This includes:

Texaco Dock Road
Texaco Headford Rd (underneath Courtyard by Marriott)
Monaghan's Central Tuam Rd.

Monaghan's Centra, Raven's Tce, open  8am to 1pm

Corner Express,Woodquay

Pick'N'Pay

Bridge Street Stores

Shops that were open in earlier years, so may be open in 2025

No 26 Dominick Street - Open usual hours until 4am

Woodquay Stores 

Pharmacies

One Galway city pharmacy is usually designated to provide limited service on Christmas Day.  

In previous years, it has been AllCare Pharmacy at 148 Lower Salthill, typically open 10am-noon and  and 3-4pm (to be confirmed for 2025)

If you need medical help:

• Phone your doctor and their answering service will tell you how to contact the after-hours service
  
  
• Phone or visit one of the extended-hours walk-in clinics (DR365 - opposite the hospital, Dooctor in Roscam :  these are 7-days services, it's to be confirmed if they are open)
  
  
• Visit A&E at University Hospital Galway in Newcastle

Events / leisure

COPE Galway run a fundraising mid-winter-swim at Blackrock in Salthill between 9am - 1pm.  Register here to swim,  Or go along on the day and watch.

GOAL Mile fundraising run or jog or walks are being held in Dangan, Doughiska and Oranmore.  Details.