Blogs from County Galway, Ireland, Europe - page 38

Well friday after a loooonnnng day at work hungover we had a lovely presentation in work from everyone and then logged out for the last time, handed back our badges and said goodbye to Boston Scientific. I headed back to my house and went to bed, some sleep was seriously needed!! after my power nap i was up and at it by 7pm, a shower perked me up and Elaine (my sister) arrived ready to go. We headed to Bazaar at 9.30pm and of course i was first there (too damn punctual so i am!!). Everyone arrived within the next 45mins thou and i was delighted to see everyone, thanks to everyone who made the effort to come out. Jacinta, Angela and I were there so it was practically all of us. Angela even brought the ... read more

This past weekend I went with the international club at school to Galway. It is a great town on the west coast filled with fun pubs. On Saturday we took a ferry to the Gaelic speaking island of Irishmore, part of the Aran Islands. The island is scattered with thatched roofs and numerous rock walls. My friends and I eventually climbed to the top of the island and had an amazing view of the island's cliffs. We also saw our fair share of sheep which provide the wool for Ireland's well-known Aran sweaters. On Sunday the group went to see the cliffs of Moher. Thankfully, the weather was beautiful and we had a perfect view of both the cliffs and the country side. At the tallest point they reach 700 feet above the sea line. You ... read more

A drunkard peeing against a tree in the park was the last image London had left to me. I was on a bus. By night. Twelve hours later, I arrived in Dublin welcomed by a not too dissimilar scene. Outside the bus station a homeless man tightly buttoned in his wasted beige trench, with a massive cervical hump forcing him into a totally unnatural position, he was waiting for the opening of the station bathrooms to shave himself. It was only 6 in the morning and already the metropolitan desperation of those who have nothing merged with the indifference of those leaving or arriving. I hadn’t come to Ireland to visit Dublin. Everyone talks wonders about it and perhaps they’re right, but all cities seem to me all too similar and only in remote and quiet ... read more

Well the big day has finally arrived - what was I thinking giving six and a half weeks notice - those weeks have gone by soooo slowly. Lots of nights out, big lunches, even bigger dinners, copious amounts of wine and bulmers (oh I'll miss my bulmers!) and hugs goodbye. Today is not really goodbye to work colleagues either as coming back next Thursday for my leaving party - no getting rid of me I'm sure they are thinking! I'm also really annoying as I'm bouncing about the place like Tigger! Am pretty organised - have 70% of the packing done, have "broken in" my hiking boots, iPod loaded up, all the vaccinations.... And the passport finally arrived yesterday - whew! Was touch and go with that! Everyone is being so nice - will miss them ... read more

August 2005 We were looking for somewhere easy and price competitive from EMA for a spontaneous trip at August Bank Holiday. The best option was direct to Shannon on board the penny fight champions without a particular plan of action thereafter. The most obvious destination was Limerick. However a quick read of certain travel guides, seems to focus on a place with unemployment, crime and general neglect at worst and a place where the visitor might still have to dig a little to appreciate it’s charm. We landed at Shannon and turned towards Ennis. Ennis held enough charm without digging for a Saturday night out. A typical Irish market town with a ruined friary, painted shop fronts and enough establishments selling the black stuff to make the night out entertaining. Ennis was our first experience of ... read more