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 

Capital Turkish Kebab House 

Charcoal Grill, Mary Street,  Quay Street (but not Prospect Hill)

Chili Shack

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

Pizza Maxx, Salthill, from 4pm

Zaiqi / Eskimo Pizza

Shops

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

Applegreen, Tuam Road

Arch Motors, Westside

Bridge Street Stores

Candy Cloud

Corner Express,Woodquay

Hession's Londis, open 9am to 10pm

Kearney's Centra, Barna

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

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

Monaghan's Centra, Tuam Rd.

Pick'N'Pay

Texaco Dock Road - Kearney's Centra

Texaco and Spar Express Headford Rd (underneath Courtyard by Marriott)

Woodquay Stores

Shops that were open in 2024, and are likely to be open in  that were open in earlier years, so may be open in 2025

No 26 Dominick Street - Open usual hours until 4am

 

Pharmacies

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

In 2025, AllCare Pharmacy at 148 Lower Salthill os open 3-4pm.

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,  or 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.

Trick of the Light art installation at St Nicolas- not officially running on the 27th, but it is on today 😀   Details.