Ireland ’22 – Day 7

Morning began with Check-Out and walk to The Stage Door Cafe for a coffee and quick breakfast celebration with Monica & Evan! Staff were “at their best” and we enjoyed the wry Irish humour being slung about. Full Irish breakfasts all way ‘round (had our first sampling of blood pudding). Monica & Evan are doing great… loved catching up with their travels and answering their Belfast questions. We had an hour and a half together… Just long enough to get caught up and 15 minutes before our Galway departure from Heuston Train Station. So inspiring to see these kids living a dream I had at their age… wishing them the best of luck and the safest of travels. Happy Birthday Monica 🎂!

Tip: Although sometimes it can’t be achieved, its always preferred to be early rather than late in the realm of travel. Whether it be commuting (plane, train, bus), a dinner reservation, attraction or even just a morning walk, having time on the front end is peace of mind, advantageous for sorting problems, and freedom to adjust. Most of all… it de-stresses our entire day. Plan for that space.

We cozied up to Galway on schedule at 2:05 PM, had Check-In done by the 2:30 PM, and chilled for 1/2 hr making peace with our room and preparing to hit the streets. We stayed at The Snug Townhouse, perfectly located near the train station on a closed, pedestrian street. No cars 🤓! Lovely little room… no spot for a Ceilidh but great for a night of sightseeing. Really, we had no major attractions firmed up for this visit, and it was more about seeing a little of the western side of Ireland.

So delightfully laid back and walkable, Galway has a totally different vibe than Dublin. Almost bohemian with artists, street musicians and cafe/pub lined pedestrian lanes. Our orientation started with a traipse about the Latin Quarter. Whoever figured it out that cars “don’t” need to be parked in front of a store was brilliant! We made our way through crowds moseying by shops, past refreshment seekers, and umbrella sheltered people watchers. Our speed after a busy night in Dublin and 2hr train ride!

Next were a series of stops that surround city centre, including the Galway Cathedral, Home Town Park, Spanish Arch and the Long Walk. The route followed the River Corrib out to the mouth of Galway Bay, from fresh to salt water. We came to settle at Freeney’s Bar, just a stones throw away from our accommodation and nestled just opposite of a couple making beautiful music with an accordion and drum. Janie had a cider, while I enjoyed a Guinness (0.0). Ahhh… 🎶

So Janie booked a table at a nearby restaurant, The HighCafé that had Fish & Chips on the menu. However, we ended up, when seeing Moroccan food on the menu and the cooks in the kitchen, ordering “tagine”. Its a dish I’ve been interested in trying since I saw it on one of the TV Celebrity cooking shows. Started with Moroccan tea, then main courses of Chicken & Lamb Tagines. We were getting hungry but managed a photo prior to breaking bread. OMG! It was so good… everything from the pita bread through couscous, the mains, and even the mint tea… generous portions and full flavour. So glad we were adventurous and gave it a whirl. Then a walk to settle the belly and off to the snug for bed.

…Ireland ’22 – Day 8