Blogs from County Galway, Ireland, Europe

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Europe » Ireland » County Galway » Galway October 20th 2023

Today was a moving day to Galway, so bags out at 7:30, then breakfast, then on and gone by 8:30. On the way to Galway we stopped for a comfort stop (restrooms, snacks, and drinks). The place we stopped was just in front of Bunratty Castle. It’s a place Marsha, Shealyn, and I visited on our trip to Ireland! What a coincidence! We also drove by a golf course. Now I’m not a golfer but this was the toughest looking golf course I’ve ever seen. Look at the pictures. I’m not sure a golf cart would go across that land. Our first goal was The Cliffs of Moher. These cliffs are absolutely breathtaking!! They rise above the ocean 702 feet and you can climb up the left side or right. We opted to take the golf ... read more
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Europe » Ireland » County Galway September 23rd 2023

Up and breakfast once again in the Hotel the Irish Hospitality and Quality far exceeds the English so far ….got on the bus and into town at 9.30am bought up large at a huge souvenir shop and wandered around the streets of Galway…. Was very tempted with all the Aran knitwear but resisted…. (Next winters knitting projects !!!) …. Got a coffee to go (all very good barista coffees here a Latte is the best size £2.95 (6$ NZ) ….. enjoyed the buskers and little stores as in all the towns… back to the bus 11.30am and onto Sligo at 2pm wandered around the town lots of knitwear/tweed and hunting gentleman’s apparel and called into the pharmacy found a bakery and enjoyed a cup of tea custard slice and HOT salty chips … toilet and encountered ... read more
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Europe » Ireland » County Galway » Galway June 17th 2023

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
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Europe » Ireland » County Galway » Tully Cross June 16th 2023

So today we have a long drive over lots of small roads and I can still see the Sky Road on the horizon in the map. Well we wake up early and as it is quite misty I think great there is no way we need to do the sky road as why would you do this if you cannot see in front of your face - unfortunately, definitely for me, the bloody skies started clearing as we approached the sky road and macho man Mike decides we will do it then as we turn he says to me are you happy doing this - well that is like a red rag to a bull of course I am happy to DIE on the sky road. Well let’s be honest if you do the north to ... read more
Peat Bogs
Our view for the night

Europe » Ireland » County Galway » Salthill June 16th 2023

So we set off at a reasonable time this morning and we hit the road again down the Wild Atlantic Way (WAW). I think we have started to get a bit complacent as we forgot to turn the gas off and made quite a few misjudgements with the road signs. So told Mike we need to stop being cocky with this all and rein it in a bit. Well as we are driving along all I can see are men (now I was going to say Paddy’s but seeing as this is not PC - I have said men, ha ha) at the side of the road waiting for something and not just one man lots of men and not in a group all separately - now I wonder what they are waiting for could it ... read more
Where we had lunch
Galway City Centre

Europe » Ireland » County Galway » Connemara June 14th 2023

We are on the road again and we are off to Clew Bay which is includes the Spanish Armada Viewpoint. This was named after two ships from the defeated Spanish Armada fleet sank here in storms in 1588 - you cannot see any ship wrecks, well let’s be honest they would have been long gone by now due to the time frame. However once again the vista (yes getting good with words) was stunning. I am going to have to think of other words to describe the vistas (see did it again, ha ha) as all I am using is stunning or amazing but what else can you say when they are. We then move on to Achill Island and over the Achill Sound with the bridge crossing it onto Keel Strand where we eye up ... read more
DooLough Valley WAW sign
Doolough Valley

Europe » Ireland » County Galway » Spidéal May 10th 2023

One of our guides in Northern Ireland, Brandon, told us about taking a basket making class in Spiddal, a craft village near Galway. We had seen it from the road when returning both from Inishmore and from Connemara and went out today. it was raining off and on but the village was designed to be walked around. The glass artist was closed but the potter, basket weaver, a couple painters, and the leather and Celtic coin jeweler were open. Had a great time in the jeweler’s shop, Eric Byrne. Got some Connemara marble earrings, a claddagh ring, And a couple old Irish coins from in Mikes birth year. We had a walking food tour scheduled for mid-afternoon and, after a rest, headed off to that. Great host, good food and drink, including a Guinness. Also nice ... read more
Basketweaver
Lots of Willow
Back in Galway

Europe » Ireland » County Galway » Galway May 9th 2023

We attended a cooking class at a private home out in the County. Katy had run her own shop in Galway for 15 years and 'sort of' retired. Sort of as in then started teaching classes out of her home and is busy most days. She and her helper, Valentina, organized us, told us how much to put in, how to mix the ingredients, then how to cut scones. After they went in, we chose the type of bread to make and did that. We got to taste the scones while the bread baked: hot, soft, tasty, perfect. We had taken a taxi out but the other folks who baked with us, a mother/daughter from Connecticut (the daughter had been a student here) gave us a ride back into town which was very generous of them. ... read more
First Step to Scones
Scones
crumbly is the goal

Europe » Ireland » County Galway » Galway May 8th 2023

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
Cala lily in jfk park
Latin Quarter
Spanish Arch

Europe » Ireland » County Galway » Aran Islands May 7th 2023

There are three islands off the coast, the Aran Isles. For a day trip, we could only figure out going to Inishmore. If you stayed the night, you could then go on to another one or two the next day. We had booked the ferry before leaving home but didn't get it together to figure out the bus out to the dock in Rosaveel so we took a taxi out; the driver (playing Johnny Cash music most of the way) told us we could buy a return bus ticket at the ferry office and save money and time. We had to go in there and exchange our vouchers for tickets so we bought the bus tickets at the same time. Very friendly and efficient. I think the ride was about 50 minutes but, honestly, we fell ... read more
Our carriage awaits!
Inishmore it is
On the ferry, before we nodded off




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