One day in Galway, Ireland

“It is better to spend money like there’s no tomorrow than to spend tonight like there’s no money!”

– Irish Saying

We arrived in Galway pretty late after exploring Limerick and the Cliffs of Moher, however we made the most out of our few hours in the city. Right after checking into the Airbnb, we started exploring. We started with one of our favorite meals of the trip at the “Brasserie on the Corner.” After dinner we made our way down the winding streets. Since the medieval times Eyre Square has been the city center starting with markets as a staple in front of the town gates. Now the streets are lined with shops and dining options for everyone. This area was full of night life and street performers, so we stopped and listened to musicians play folk music along our walk.

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After dinner we decided to take in the sights by starting with The Long Walk, a historical site of colorful houses and a few restaurants along the Galway Bay. Along our walk we passed through the Spanish Arch, which is one of two surviving arches that were originally a part of the town walls. These walls protected the city’s quays that were the town’s original Fish Markets. 

Where to eat…

One of our favorite meals on our trip was in Galway, right around the corner from our Airbnb: appropriately named “Brasserie on the Corner.” We ordered a bit of a Smörgåsbord: charcuterie, soup, salad, and a couple plates to share. All I really remember from this restaurant, besides the delicious charcuterie, is that we laughed practically the entire meal, probably due to sheer exhaustion.

Of course we needed dessert, and despite it being like 40 degrees we chose to pick up some Murphy’s Ice Cream for our walk back to the apartment.

Where we stayed…

We stayed in a great Airbnb that was centrally located to everything in Eglinton Court. We had to pick up the keys a few blocks away at a Pub which was pretty cute and easy to find. Parking was a bit of an issue, we had to park in a public parking lot a little walk away, but that wasn’t too bad. The lot was near the Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and St Nicholas where you will also pass over the Salmon Weir Bridge. This apartment had plenty of room and was very clean. It would have been great to stay in for a few more days, had we had more time in Galway.

After only one night in Galway we made moves toward Belfast, Northern Ireland (four hours and 40 minutes from Galway). With our first stop at the Giant’s Causeway (Giant’s Causeway is about an hour and 14 minutes from Belfast) where we would stay the next evening. With only a few hours to soak in Galway, I can tell this is a city I could spend some time in!

Go raibh maith agat as léamh.