You say staycation, I say holidays in Ireland.
Covid restirctions mean that far flung travel is still fraught with difficulties. Many countries are on the quarantine list, and more can be added literally overnight. Take into the mix the health risks of flying, and who wants to go on a cruise these days, means that holidaying closer to home becomes even more attractive.
I’d tried and failed to visit Galway previously, so I was really excited to be starting our trip in the City of Tribes.
The journey took about 4 hours on good motorways. We did stop at a service station which was in Kildare, and as it was one of the counties that had recently been put under more restrictions, I wondered if this would apply here. But it was open, I was surrpised that the food outlets were still operating, including the touch screen ordering at Burger King. And eat-in was an option. It’s amazing how my brain now picks up things like hand sanitiser stations, supervision of numbers on-site, one-way social distancing flows……..or the lack of same.
Our destination was the Harbour Hotel, right by the marina, which was very well located, and had ample car parking at the rear. My map reading and the sat nav instructions were in agreement, tourist maps and leaflets acquired, and we were soon heading out for our first wander around. Plenty of covid-conspiracy grafitti.
Pubs that don’t serve food are still closed, and other cafes and restaurants either have a queue to get a table, or you need to book in advance. We decided to reserve a table in the hotel restaurant tonight, rather than run into difficulties finding somewhere in town. The only spot they had was at 5.30. As my friend Sarah would say, “Norn Irn tea time!”
We strolled past the large (and smelly) boats in the harbour, and found that the gate at the far side was closed. R leaped over the fence, but I was more reluctant. A passer-by was trying to shout instructions across the road, but I couldn’t make him out, and he picked his way through the traffic to open the gate for me. Thank you!
We found ourselves at Spanish Arch, and our first expereince of the ever-present busking in this lively and musical city.
A trio were delighting people in the bright sunny square with some rock covers, the sun was shining, swans were gliding on the River Corrib, and a Galway hooker was putting up its sails.
The main street into Latin Quarter looked quite busy, so we wore our masks and took our time dandering past the cladagh jewellers and aran jumper shops. I found a Murphys ice cream emporium, and cooled down with my favourite Dingle gin flavour whilst enjoying some more busking. We found a Morrocan restaurant that looked interesting, and booked a table for tomorrow night’s dinner there.
Back at the hotel, I changed into a holiday maxi for dinner. The Dillisk restaurant has a strong marine theme, including a seaweed garnished High and Dry gin cocktail, and seaweed flavoured wheaten bread. There was sea bass on the menu, but it was supposed to come with gnocchi, which I don’t really care for. But the staff volunteered to swap that for chips.
After dinner I took a stroll through the Claddagh, an open grassy are popular with young people who were relaxing with a few drinks.
We had booked a breakfast slot at 8.30, and the serve yourself buffet had plates individually wrapped in cling film. I had some bread and cheese, and ordered scrambled eggs. I was a little concerned that all the customers were being seated at adjacent tables, rather than spreading us out a bit more. Ther was a mysterious bra abandoned by the lift – I’m guessing what happens in Galway stays in Galway.
It was a Sunday morning, which makes for a pleasant wander through less crowded streets. We got some iced coffees to sip while people watching at Eyre Square, and I bought an enamel brooch from a chatty jeweller, who suggested we take the “ferry to Kerry” on our journey south, which would avoid going through Limerick.
I did my “not parkrun” by sticking to the water’s edge and running out the 1km causeway to Mutton Island.
The weather was glorious – normally we’d find somewhere to sit and enjoy a drink in the sunshine, but current restricitons make that more diffuclt. We found a quiet-ish spot down Kirwan’s Lane, and ordered some food to go with our drinks. I get the feeling the noisy girls beside us had ordered one plate of chips between them, so no doubt there are ways around the rules.
To our restaurant for dinner – I ordered a veggie tagine and a glass of chardonnay…..to be told that they don’t serve alcohol! But the waiter helpfully gave directions to a Spar round the corner where I procured a bottle for us to share. Much cheaper that way anyway. The food was delicious, and we took the long way home via Long Walk, soaking up the colourful atmosphere.
I booked a ticket for the Shannon ferry online, ready for our trip next day to the Cliffs of Moher and beyond.
Filed under: Ireland, travel, Wild Atlantic Way | Tagged: Galway | Leave a comment »
Dancing At Lunacy 