Galway - home from home...Galway is very different to any other town in Ireland, while officially a city it has a cosy village feel about it, particularly in the winter when the tourists have practically all gone and it’s not as busy. It's a second home to lots of people like myself who have a special grá (love) for the place.Personally, I can’t think of a better way to spend a Saturday then traipsing around the city which typically, starts with a wander through the early morning market. The familiar faces of local traders go about their business, as they have for years now in the shadow of medieval St Nicolas' Church.
Christopher Columbus actually visited and prayed there and a Galway man (and his dog) are believed to have left with him for the New World at the time, in fact it’s the oldest Church of Ireland still in daily use. Perhaps he even picked up some supplies in Shop Street? the main shopping street (we won’t say drag) because there’s nothing dreary or generic about it. In fact it's always a hub of activity with live music and thankfully we still have some good old shopping institutions left here, like McCambridges (food emporium) Anthony Ryans (drapers) and Powells (music shop) but first coffee....
It seems to me, we now have more coffee shops then pubs in Galway which is worrying, though maybe not first thing of a morning? Griffins is delightful with cosy real turf fires, Mocha Beans was one of the first trendy coffee shops and Butlers do great take out coffee, with a free handmade chocolate! So you can sit out and watch the world go by .... and decide what you are going to do for the afternoon, if anything?...
Irelands Hidden Gems - City Guide is now available as an iPhone app It features the 10 Best of Everything there is To See and Do, plus an extra What's On in Galway? page which is updated monthly and a handy map showing all the major landmarks etc.
The 10 Best Things to Do and See are |
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Bunratty Castle and Folk Park "If you have only time to visit one attraction in Ireland this is it" Susan Byron
