WHILE Galway has developed a strong reputation as the cultural capital of the west, its antiques shops are largely unknown outside the immediate area.

There are a number of reasons why this should be so, not least the fact that most outlets within the city are relatively small in size, severely restricting the range of goods which can be sold. Secondly, Galway's fame as a predominantly youthful and festive place means that most visitors don't put antique hunting at the top of their lists when spending time in the city.

In addition, the majority of shops aren't concentrated on any one street or in a specific area of Galway so they tend to be found by chance.

However, the city centre isn't so large that it can't be comfortably covered on foot - a wise approach given the intense traffic congestion on Galway's many narrow thoroughfares. And for those who are interested and willing to seek out what's on offer, there is enough of interest to fill a day, especially when some of the antiques shops in the surrounding district are taken into account.

In Galway itself, start at Abbey Lane Antiques (St Anthony's Lane, Woodquay, tel. 091-565369) close to the town hall. Opened just under two years ago, the shop stocks mostly furniture, together with a fair number of prints and lithographs and some jewellery. Items currently on sale include a Georgian mahogany torchere, with circular top, raised on a fluted square column five feet high, for £395; a set of six Victorian Jacobean style carved oak dining chairs, with oval canework panelled backs, priced at £1,250; and an Edwardian mahogany demi lune sideboard available for £695.

From there, it's just a short stroll to Country Interiors (42 Upper Abbeygate Street, tel. 091 562799), which sells a mixture of antiques and decorative accessories. Almost exactly two years old, it is strong on country pine furniture, such as a side table with single drawer, priced at £145, and a chest of drawers for £250. There is also some silver and usually copper and brass in stock.

Next comes The Winding Stair (4, Mainguard Street, tel. 091 561 682), a tall, narrow premises spread over several floors and offering an enormous variety of goods, including musical instruments and old brass taps. There are lots of small collectables here such as blue cobalt poison bottles and glass inkwells, priced around £14 each, and old advertising signs costing £45 or so. Furniture on the first floor includes an oak settle pew for £250; an early 20th century fire screen costing £19 and a wonderful turn of the century magic lantern for £245. The Winding Stair also hires out props for films and drama productions. Tempo Antiques (tel. 087 450556) is just around the corner at 9 Upper Cross Street. Old porcelain, silverware and cutlery, antique jewellery and various collectables make up the year old shop's stock. At the moment, Tempo Antiques has for sale a 12 place canteen of cutlery dating from the 1930s, still in its original two drawer mahogany cabinet (£1,000); an Aynsley 10 piece tea service, bearing a gold Greek key pattern on white (£180); and a Royal Doulton Jasparware vase dating from 1881 (£190)

Just across the River Corrib at Bridge Mills is Corrib Antiques (tel. 091 564938), which has been at this location for the past six years. There is no particular specialisation here, with the wide variety of goods on display at the moment ranging from a set of six Victorian mahogany dining chairs, priced at £750, to a late 19th century towel rail at £85. Also in stock at present are an Edwardian coal box (£395) and a pair of inlaid hall chairs with wicker seats from early this century (£195).

Further down river at 7 Quay Lane, you'll find the long established Cobwebs (tel. 091 564388), which offers both antiques and reproduction giftware. Among the former at present is an Aynsley blue and gold tea service for £365 and a Spode pale blue tea service priced at £185. On the ground floor, a handsomely understated Mappin & Webb three piece silver plated tea service costs £265.

Twice As Nice (5 Quay Street, tel. 091 566332) is situated on one of Galway's busiest streets and being very small it's easy to overlook. Inside, there's a mixture of old clothes and lace, including old christening robes in cotton and hand embroidered lace for around £100 and circular lace edged tablecloths for an average £30. Twice As Nice also carries plenty of antique jewellery, such as a diamond and emerald engagement ring (£850) and a silver fob watch suitable for either men or women (£125).

Much closer to Eyre Square, you'll find Areadia Antiques, Crafts & Fine Arts (Castle Street, tel. 091 61861), sister shop of a premises carrying the same name in Athlone. The Galway outlet has an art gallery on the first floor and an assortment of craft goods below, but there is also some antique jewellery, such as a gold wrist chain with lock for £375 and a heavy gold fob chain priced at £495 (others cost from £235).

Close to the Great Southern Hotel is Maguires Antiques (Kiltartan House, Foster Street, tel. 091 566698). The shop carries a very large amount of heavy Victorian and Edwardian furniture, although there are some small occasional pieces, too. The selection of goods on show at present includes a mid Victorian walnut credenza and a heavily carved Edwardian display cabinet, both priced at £4,000 each.

Finally, don't miss Claddagh Antiques (New Road, Forster Court, tel. 091 563898), which has not been that long at its present address but whose owner, Anne Egan, is well known in the Galway region. Claddagh Antiques is particularly strong on clocks, such as a mid 19th century longcase example priced at £2,200, a Regency style wall clock for £395 and another longcase, this time in stripped pine, for £1,350.

In the greater Galway area there are some antique dealers worth checking out.

Clarenbridge Antiques, The Old Parochial House, Clarenbridge, Co Galway, (tel. 091 796522) was established three years ago. This business specialises in Irish country furniture, mostly pine, although there is also some oak, sycamore and ash. The shop also stocks Majolica, Belleek and glass.

Honan's Antiques, Crow Street, Gort, Co Galway, (tel. 091 31407) has been a country pine specialist for the past 25 years and has lots of furniture in its 30,000 square feet premises. There are also clocks, old table lamps, advertising signs and pub mirrors.

Lynch Antiques, Foster Place, Tuam, Co Galway (tel. 093 47 600), is the oldest antiques business in the west of Ireland (It has been in business for the past 45 years). The shop stocks mainly furniture - Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian.

Lynch's Antiques, Main Street, Oranmore, Co Galway, (tel. 091 790964) has only been at its present location since last November. Lynch's carries Victorian and Edwardian furniture, plus some small pieces.

Moycullen Village Antiques, Moyeullen Village, Co Galway, (tel. 091 85303) stocks a wide variety of items, including Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian furniture, as well as silver, porcelain, jewellery and prints. It is open on Sunday afternoons during the summer.

Tolco Antiques, Headford Road, (tel. 091 751146) is three miles outside Galway and has been going strong since 1971. Tolco speeialises in Victorian and Edwardian furniture, although it also sells porcelain and some items of jewellery.