A day in Galway!

Last weekend we spent a day in Galway, which was one of my favorite places that we visited. Galway is a little less than a 2-hour bus ride away from Sligo, and is known as a town rich in Irish culture. We were all very excited for our day in Galway because the Irish DJ we had befriended in Sligo was from Galway, and offered to show us around the city. When we first arrived in Galway we were all a little sleepy from the early morning drive so our first stop was a café. I had an Irish coffee and a croissant that was delicious and the perfect pick-me-up. After the café we walked down the busy shopping street in the center of the city. Street performers of all kinds were scattered throughout the street performing for the tourists.  At 11 we met Ryan, the DJ, and one of his friends in front of McDonalds, so he could show us around his hometown.

Since he knew of our interest in shopping he took us to some of the popular Irish stores that he thought we would like. I must say he had pretty good taste, all the stores he took us too we liked and we all made at least one purchase. Once we were shopped out, Ryan walked us down to the river. He pointed out the Spanish Arch and explained how the curve of the river by the church inspired the design of the claddagh ring. The claddagh ring is a traditional Irish ring that has a heart symbolizing love, a crown symbolizing loyalty, and two hands symbolizing friendship. If you wear the ring with the heart facing you it means that your heart is taken, but if you where the ring with the crown facing you it means that you are single.

The river was crowded with people who were there to watch a water polo match being played in the river, so we stopped and joined the crowd for a while. The game was a little different than the American form of water polo. Everyone was in kayaks and used their paddles to maneuver the ball, but the rules seemed to be the same. When the water polo game was over Ryan and his friend took us down to show us the beach. It seemed a bit cold for a beach day to me, but the sun was out so the beach was fairly busy with people. Across the street from the beach a futball game was being played. There were tons of spectators, so we walked over just in time to catch the very end of the game.

When the game ended we all agreed it was time for dinner, so Ryan led us down the street to a restaurant that he had worked in when he was younger. I enjoyed a tasty bowl of traditional Irish stew with a side of brown bread.  I don’t know how they do it, but I’ve never tasted any bread better than the bread they make in Ireland.  I expect to suffer from tea and bread withdrawals when I get home. After dinner it was time to head back to Sligo. Ryan and his friend led us back to the center of town and made sure we met back up with the rest of our group.  We were lucky to have locals be are tour guides around the city; we went places we probably would have never ventured to on our own.  I could have used another day to spend in Galway, but I guess I will just have to make my way back there some day.