Blogs from Galway, County Galway, Ireland, Europe - page 2

THU, 04 AUG 2022 – “Day 5: Mystical Aran Islands and Bohemian Galway - Fed and watered, it’s off to nearby Rossaveal Pier to catch the ferry to Inis Mor (literally ‘big island’), the largest of the Aran Islands. Here you can explore the 6 km by 2 km island by bike or by special request, a jaunting cart with your very own driver and pony. It’s off to Dún Aonghasa, a prehistoric hill fort which dominates the edge of a vertical cliff, 300 ft above the choppy waters of the Atlantic. Refresh "le cupán tae"(a cup of tea) and island porter cake and shop for an original Aran Sweater, perfect for shearwater and other seabird watching. Then we’re off to Galway, the City of the Tribes and the home of the Claddagh Ring to chase ... read more

Zaterdag 7/9/2019 – Verplaatsing naar Galway (80km) Nu zelf als chauffeur een stuk door de smalle kronkelwegen van de Burren. Passages met tourbussen moeten stapvoets.. Je kan kiezen, schuren tegen de bus of schuren tegen de zijhagen. Toch maar een bus Turtle Wax kopen. Na 50km spanning wordt de weg dan toch breder. Een hele opluchting. De camping in Galway is prachtig gelegen en we staan met onze neus vlak aan de baai met uitzicht op de oceaan. Tegen de avond krijgen we gezelschap van een grote groep Franse MH'ers die onze ruime grasplaatsen inpikken op aansturen van de eigenaar. Niet iedereen kan dit appreciëren. Maar 'Business is business' zei Boma. En morgen zijn ze weg. Misschien krijgen we dan wel Hollanders in de plaats. Voor de eerste keer zien we hier een volledig open hemel ... read more

It has been a quieter but fun week in Galway, while I’ve stayed with friends Robert and Héctor. Married in 2014, they emigrated here from Oregon in 2017, and now own a spacious and light flat in the suburb of Taylor’s Hill, which they share with their Bengal cat, Carlotta. The timing of my visit worked out perfectly for me to connect with my “Nutcracker” friends from Richmond, Virginia. We met in 1991 for a divorce support group at the University of Richmond, and have been close ever since. They’re on an escorted tour of Ireland, so we had only a few hours in the city center, but it’s astonishing and gratifying that we were immediately our old selves together! I’ve learned the bus routes, and walked Galway City and Salt Hill on Galway Bay extensively, ... read more

After last night’s gale force winds in Doolin, we woke to just a windy day. Decided it was worth another try to go see the Cliffs. This time, after checking out and double checking maps and directions, we made it! The majestic Cliffs of Moher. What an amazing sight! Sheer cliffs plunging 700 feet into the Atlantic Ocean. Then, off to Galway, taking a somewhat longer but totally not-winding route through Ennis. It’s an Airbnb two-floor apartment right next to the university and the cathedral in the city center. Parked the car next to the Galway Cathedral and spent some time inside. Beautiful place. Fish and chips at the famous McDonagh's for dinner (serendipitously sat next to a young woman from Snyder, NY outside of Buffalo, so talked about the Bills), gelato for dessert, a little ... read more

Cormac cooked up a big breakfast for us this morning, which was lovely. Issy had a huge sleep and only woke up around 6am. After breakfast Cormac suggested we try to head into Heuston station as there was a good chance I might not be able to get very close, due to road closures for the Pope's visit. Today the Pope was holding the big mass in Phoenix Park, which is right next to Heuston Station, and they are expecting about 500k people. It was a good suggestion as we indeed were not able to get too close, although Cormac sweet talked a police officer to allow him to get a bit closer than we should have. This meant I had to walk for about 20 minutes but this was fine, as we had allowed enough ... read more