Galway

Galway is one of my favorite cities in Ireland. This is my third time to Galway in the last 10 years. Galway was one of the fastest growing cities in Ireland until the recession hit in '08. It is still a very small town with 76,000 people. 

I love walking around its medieval streets and looking at the colorful facades. When the weather is nice there can be many street musicians. There are loads of pubs and restaurants. Sometimes you can even hear people speaking Gaelic to each other. 

This was the cutest candy shop in Galway. 

Decisions...Decisions...

Galway City was formed from a small fishing village where the Corrib River meets the Galway Bay. Galway later became a walled city around 1232 after it was captured by the Normans. Some sections of these walls are still standing and can be seen in the city. In 1396 the English transferred powers to 14 merchant families which are known as the 14 tribes of Galway. These tribes stayed close to the British crown. Galway city's nickname is "City of Tribes." It was not until 1922 that they were free from the British. 

I love these posts with all the signs

T

The pubs are pretty with lots of flowers

Corrib River with the Cathedral of Our Lady/St. Nicholas in the background

This is the postcard picture of Galway

Quays Pub

For dinner we went to my favorite pub in Galway - Quays Pub (which is pronounced "keys" as in a wharf or harbor). This pub is so neat looking inside. Some of the interior came from a French medieval church. This pub really has a lot of character. Sometimes they have Irish musicians playing. You can get a great Irish meal here. Joe enjoyed his traditional Irish stew! 

The inside of Quays Pub

After dinner we went to our B&B in the Salthill area of Galway. This is west of the city and is a resort beach town. We wanted to stay towards the westside because we were catching an early morning ferry over to the Aran Islands the next morning. 

Rusheen Bay House B&B

The view from the front

We had a good stay at the B&B and a great breakfast. T ate so much food his stomach was hurting. It's great to start off the day with a big hot breakfast. After we left the children said they only want to stay in B&B's. T also asked why they don't call it a breakfast in bed instead of a bed and breakfast. LOL! 

On our way to catch the ferry to the Aran Islands....