Galway is a popular tourist spot, but also a big university city for locals. It is well known for being a music and nightlife hub in Ireland. The streets are narrow and lined with shops, restaurants, and bars of all types, so there is a little something for everyone. We ate dinner at King’s Head because friends of ours back home knew a waiter who worked there. Although we didn’t end up running into him, we had a delicious dinner. Afterwards, we explored the bars for some trad music.
If you’re staying out late here, you’ll into a ton of underage teens being rowdy and drinking in the streets. They’re all waiting in endless lines for the nightclubs. There is no age to drink and even on monday nights they party hard.
We also stopped in Lisdoonvarna for lunch the next day and found ourselves in the middle of the matchmaking festival. A well known Irishman is renowned in Ireland for finding people their soulmate. We did not partake, obviously, but ate lunch at a roadside tavern that had Burren Brewery on tap.
Food & Drink…
Crane Bar: You wouldn’t happen upon this bar unless you’re a local. it’s across the river and down a few streets full of graffiti and practical business like launderettes etc… We stopped in for a beer and to ask about live music which usually doesn’t start until around 9pm in most places.
Roadside Tavern: To be honest we ate here because it caught our eye while driving and we had no interest in joining the matchmaking festival that was going on most other places downtown. The booths are church pews tucked into corners and dotting the interior border with small velvet stools on one side of each table. I tried the Burren Brewery Gold Lager which was had a mild roasted flavor. For lunch I got a burger made from local beef.
Irish Trad Music…
You can find trad music in Galway at any number of places. We stayed after dinner at Kings Head to listen to a group. The drummer surprised the audience by tap dancing as well during songs. We stopped in at the 1520 bar and listened to a group named Sin A Der Sei who played covers of Irish songs. The bar was packed and everyone was singing along until the lights flipped on and it was time to go!
Bed & Breakfast…
Anach Tuin House: This was our first bed and breakfast. We didn’t know what to expect but it was a wonderful experience. Mary and Marty O’Brien were a sweet couple and welcomed us into their home. Another couple from America and visitors from Germany also stayed here.
Dogs I Met…
Everyone who knows me knows that I LOVE dogs. It’s not only the people that are incredibly nice in Ireland. These are the dogs I met in Galway. None of them even had leashes they just roamed around and got pets, snacks, and one even hitched a ride on the Ferry with us!
