Thursday 3 August 2017

Destination: Galway City

Galway, Galway, Galway. A delightful city in the west of Ireland. And it's so tiny, which is amazing and makes it perfect for a day trip! There is so much to do and see, but it's possible to squeeze it in to one day. The town centre is small, but there were so many street performers. Galway is a place that holds on dearly to its tradition of the Irish language and tradition. Almost all of the performers were playing trad music or Irish dancing. There are loads of pubs there in the traditional style. There are also loads of adorable shops, including an amazing toy shop that sold foreign made toys. So cute! Also, I adore all of the Irish sign posts. They have a prominence in Galway that often seems lacking in other parts of the country

The River Corrib runs through Galway City, and is apparently amongst the shortest in Europe. My traveling companion and I had an amazing stroll down along it. The water was moving so rapidly, and was remarkably clear. We even had the fortune of seeing a rainbow created by the spray and the gorgeous sun that was out that day- which I must add, is rare enough in the west. Seeing such a vibrant rainbow was magical!

We visited Galway Cathedral before lunch. I didn't want to take any photos there, it just didn't feel right to me. However, it is beautiful, so beautiful inside. It's huge (unsurprising) and has a very good mood about it. The organ in particular was very impressive to me, and I left the church with a fantastic sense of calm.

Lunch that day was spectacular. The veggie special on was Spaetzle! Dude! I adore Germany, and this particular dish is German. I have never seen it outside of Germany before, and so I had to try out the Irish version. I was not disappointed, rather, thrilled. My friend who'd never tried the dish before also had a very positive experience. I was sorry we didn't stay for desert, but we had much to do! Also, they had Irish made lemonade there, which was pricey but tasty. My sister was the one to recommend this restaurant to me, and now I'm recommending it to you. It's called Ard Bia at Nimmos, and is right beside the Spanish Arch.

Being the total nerds we are, we had to check out the NUI Galway campus. It was really lush and pretty, and we spent ages chatting away on the grass. It was a very peaceful spot, hard to imagine it full of students as it will very shortly be.

Our final destination was Salt Hill, a very picturesque beach area along the Atlantic Ocean. The views were spectacular, and the air so so fresh. We headed back into town and got some pub grub before heading home. It was a lovely day out, one which I would love to repeat.

Where's your favourite spot for a day trip?

28 comments

  1. Oh cool! I hope you enjoyed it here in Ireland :) I thought the sign was so cute!

    I don't think it's bad to take photos in holy places, plenty of people were doing so, and I've done it countless times myself. I'm not sure why exactly, but that time I really felt like I didn't need to, or shouldn't or something. Either way, I don't think it was against any sort of rules or any sign of disrespect :) It could even be interpreted as a good thing to take photos, when you appreciate a place's beauty! It's an interesting thought though.

    Thank you so much for your comment, Aliah :) <3

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  2. Aliah Showkatian29 May 2018 at 20:26

    Galway City looks so lovely! I've been to Ireland, but only to Cork and Dublin. Fat Freddy's looks great; I would certainly dress up to be a "lost child" just to get the kitten. :)
    Is it bad that I take pictures in all holy structures (unless there is some rule against it)? I hope it's not offensive to anyone. :/
    I would love to have a picnic on that freshly mowed grass on the campus with some Irish lemonade and spaetzle.

    Aliah | Indigo Ink

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  3. When I read the title, Galway Girl was just automatically played on my head haha. And that rainbow looked so magical! I've never been to Ireland, it seems so far away but I really want to. Your pictures are so lovely!x

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  4. Ahhh! I love this post and your pictures. You made me feel like I was there. <3

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  5. I wish I could be there in real life and actually here the music being played by the violin. Not sure if I have mentioned this yet but a huge part of the reason I love posts like this one is because I feel like I am on a journey of my own when I look at the pictures.

    The sign about giving unattended children a coffee and kitten is super funny. Glad I took the time to look at the picture as well as the rest.

    Thanks for taking me on a mini adventure. How warm is it here? It's 40 here and I am dying. Looking for the perfect place to run away to haha. Hope you are well!

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  6. Haha I am with you when it comes to getting lost just to get a kitty and coffee!

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  7. Galway looks quite busy! Looks like there was lots to do there! // ahh pretty rainbow :D -Audrey | Brunch at Audrey's

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  8. Yeah! There were horse races on, and it's high tourist season anyway. Gives a nice buzzy atmosphere though :)

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  9. Thank you so much Hannah! I'm glad I could share the experience with you :)

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  10. Some street performers were playing it, so not far off the mark! Definitely come here sometime :) x

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  11. Thank you so much- I'm glad you could feel like you were there with me! My sis used to work in that restaurant, so it was funny for me to notice the sign. It's around 20 degrees in Ireland at the moment (it's so tiny that we're all in the basic temperature range, but yeah it was about 20/21. 40 sounds totally unbearable! I don't think I've ever been somewhere so hot 0.o

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  12. Oh wow, it looks beautiful! My boyfriend went to Galway last year and was absolutely raving about it. He's not been since (although it's on the list) so it's nice to see somebody elses experience of the place. Plus all these amazing pictures! I'd love to visit one day. :)

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  13. Oh, I absolutely love Ireland but I don't think I've ever been to Galway. It looks so gorgeous and through looking at your photos, it felt like I was there myself! That rainbow one though... stunning!

    Olivia - The Northernist x

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  14. I'm moving there. That weather sounds perfect.

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  15. Aw I'm glad he liked it! It's so so worth a visit, as I'm sure you're boyfriend has been telling you :)

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  16. Ooh, Galway looks fantastic and I'm so glad you went on a really beautiful day! I don't do a lot of day trips, but somewhere 2-3 hours away would suffice for me (Banff would be ideal to me)! That sign at Fat Freddys... they must be joking, right? :P I also really love the angles and composition of the photos you took!! ^^" Hope you had a great day bonding with your travel companion. X

    Simplee Nikkie

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  17. I was certainly lucky with the weather. Hehe let's hope they weren't being serious about the sign! Thank you so much Nikkie :) x

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  18. I've only heard of Galway from Ed Sheeran's song, but your post makes it looks so amazing. And I'm a sucker for street performance, I'd definitely enjoy the town center.

    xx, Richel V.

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  19. Thank you :) ah yes Galway Girl 2.0

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  20. there is something about rainbows that is so damn magical, right!? especially in such an unexpected spot, such a cool picture!

    you guys look like you had such a fun packed time, galway looks beautiful. i've never been to ireland but it's on my bucket list!

    katie xx lacoconoire.com

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  21. So beautiful, I was humming Galway Girl as I scrolled.

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  22. Galway looks like a really nice place to visit! I love it when there is a lot to see in the town. I always enjoy looking at the buildings throughout Europe because those architects knew what they were doing back then! Glad to see you having a great time :).

    https://exquisitely.me

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  23. European architecture definitely went through so many phases and it's really interesting to see them in person! Thanks for your comment :)

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  24. Yes! It felt kind of surreal to see one created by an actual river! Definitely come to Ireland sometime :)

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  25. I as well have Ed Sheeran's song straight in my head whilst
    reading this blogpost haha :P
    Anyway never knew that this Galway town is a lovely one!
    Love that hedgehog decor thingie!
    Xx http://icepandora.blogspot.com

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  26. Haha, thank you :) It's a lovely place!

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