Blogs from Galway, County Galway, Ireland, Europe

Friday saw us pick up our rental car which is very underwhelming. It is a Dacia Jogger which is very basic (notwithstanding a manual). After being assured it had Apple Play it doesnt and we have very manual GPS which immediately caused chaos and missed turn-offs. We have now got into a better routine and making the best of it. The trip over to Galway from Dublin was pretty uneventful, we stopped at the Kildare Factory Outlet Stores and each purchased new cloths. Other than that there was not much else to report, except a lot of green grass and stone fences and we have chosen to combine Friday and Saturday in Galway as one post. Saturday started off a sunny warm day and we planned to travel the Wild Atlantic Way, w... read more

After another nice breakfast at the B&B, we hopped on the Hop On Hop Off bus and rode around, to see what was what and quickly made friends with the driver. It was raining most of the time so we stayed under cover on the top level. Rode a bit later in the day and got some shots in the afternoon when clearer. went to the Sweater shop near the Spanish Arch; lots from which to choose. All available on the website, of course. Something to be said for buying them IN Ireland? Shipped home (“for free”) which helps you buy more! Went to McDonagh’s, recommended by every guidebook, for the fish and chips. The place opened at noon and, when we arrived at about ten after, was packed. Quick service; Mike had the oysters and ... read more

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