Gina, my Dublin friend, dropped me off at the train station and I settled in for the 3 hour ride through the Irish countryside to Galway. Stunning scenery!! My hotel was perfectly situated, close to The Spanish Arch, The Latin Quarter and the Long Walk. I dropped my bags and headed over to the Latin Quarter to just stroll the cobblestone streets and check out some of the shops. It started raining so I slipped into a pub for a pint and some chips (french fries here in the U.S.) and enjoyed a wonderful, relaxing hour of people watching. When the rain let up I ventured back out, looking to purchase my first (…and maybe only?) Claddagh ring…..and then just wandered the quaint streets of Galway. I went back to my room to freshen up, walked over to Cactus Jack’s for a yummy, simple dinner of tapas and then relaxed in my room…resting up for the day ahead.
Day two was my walking and wandering day!….
I strolled The Long Walk on the River Corrib, past the Spanish Arch around to Claddagh Quay, along Galway Harbor, through South Park (yes, there’s a “South Park” in Galway…dang, forgot to include Mutton Island Lighthouse in my lighthouse post), and over to Salt Hill, before circling back around to Galway Cathedral and over the Salmon Weir bridge. I passed the Galway rowing club and caught the Corrib Princess for a 90 minute cruise up the river to Lough Corrib, Ireland’s second largest lake. Here’s my journey in pictures…
Day three was a bus tour out to Connemara, Kylemore Abbey and Cong (where they filmed “The Quiet Man” with Maureen O’hara & John Wayne). The most beautiful, green rolling hills, with sheep everywhere…quintessential Ireland! I spent the evening on the green in front of The Spanish Arch with some wine & cheese enjoying the parade of swans and the late night sunset. More pics….
I got back a bit late to my hotel, but had to have one more evening of Irish music and some craic…so I headed over to An Pucan Pub, which I’d heard was a good spot for dinner, people watching and Irish music. I was not disappointed.
The perfect end to a perfect trip!! I’ll be back!!
You cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails!
Jeanine – your pics of Ireland are amazing! I truly love that country and you really captured its beauty – thanks for taking me down Memory Lane. When are we going back?
Thanks Doreen! I’d like to go back sooner than later, but I have a few important pressing engagements in 2015…haha!!