Spanish Arch, Medieval stone arch in Galway, Ireland

The Spanish Arch is a double stone arch at the point where the River Corrib meets Galway Bay, protruding from the old city walls. The two arches frame a short passage that once led directly to the waterside quays.

The arches were built in 1584 during the mayoralty of Wylliam Martin as part of the city wall extension from Martin's Tower to the River Corrib, protecting the quays at the Fish Market (now Spanish Parade). In the 18th century the Eyre family added The Long Walk and built arches for access to the new quays. A tsunami from the 1755 Lisbon earthquake partially destroyed them.

The name "Spanish" is not historical to the arch's construction; it was likely called the Eyre Arch when built by the Eyre family in the 18th century. The Irish name is An Póirse, meaning "the arch." The arch appears in the 1957 film The Rising of the Moon, set in Galway.

The arch connects directly to the Long Walk, a narrow waterfront promenade that runs along the shore. The city museum stands right next to it and displays exhibitions on regional history.

A tsunami following the 1755 Lisbon earthquake reached the Irish coast and damaged parts of the arch. The destroyed sections were later rebuilt, so the present form mixes old and new stonework.