Nights 2 and 3 of our last trip were spent in Galway!!! The last time we went to Ireland, we did have time to make it up to Galway. I am SO glad we did this time!! Galway is soooo much fun. There are restaurants galore, many pubs with live music at night, and SHOPPING!!!
Unfortunately, we didn’t arrive in Galway until very late on the 8th, but we just had to go out and find the music after we discovered our hotel, The Jury Inn, was only steps away from the action!!! While we were navigating our way to the hotel, which is literally on the end of Quay Street, and saw all of the people having a great time. We hit the town for the last hour of music at the Quay Bar that was not even an entire block away from the front steps of the Jury Inn. The bar was packed with people dancing and having a great time!! There was even a separate dance club upstairs with a different band!!
The Jury Inn was fabulous!!! The rooms were great and the beds were comfortable. I am so glad we chose to stay for 2 nights also. It was nice not to have to pack up in the morning and leave again. We actually slept in a tiny bit. But, we didn’t want to waste a minute in this amazing city.
After a great full Irish breakfast in the hotel we grabbed a mocha at the Costa’s next door, took some pictures of the harbor, and started our day of shopping and sight-seeing. There are at least a 100 cute shops within a 3 block radius of the hotel and Quay Street and they aren’t all just the same ol’ souvenirs that you will see at every shop (just a few of them).
Make sure to stop into P. Powell and Son’s music shop at the Four Corners and buy yourself a cute little handmade harp or bodhran. There is also the Claddagh Jewelers the was the first makers of the traditional claddagh ring.
One of the things I wanted to do on this trip was to get a trinity tattoo!! There was just no time on our last trip. I had done a lot of research over the past 6 months and was sure I wanted my tattoo done by Ink Fingers Tattoo in Galway. Because of the time difference, I kept forgetting to call for an appt before we left and when I did they weren’t open. When I called when we landed in Ireland, they said they were booked solid. So, I gave up on my wish. But, when we walked past the shop, I couldn’t help but stop in and ask if there were any cancellations. They did!!! So, even though I was nervous and almost backed out at the last minute, I got the tattoo!! Sean, the owner, did an amazing job!! I love it!! My cousin, Sarah, also got a cross tattooed on her forearm! Awesome!!!!
After the tattoos and heading to the local pharmacy to pick up the “nappy cream” they suggested we use, we headed to late lunch/early dinner at the King’s Head!! This bar and restaurant was founded in 1649!!! Yummy!! Awesome fish and chips, Irish stew, and seafood. Don’t forget the Bulmers!!
After a little more shopping, we needed a little gelato from Gino’s Gelato!! I got the Ferroro Rocher after I tried like 5 others in the store.
Now that our bellies were full, we cleaned up a bit and hit the town for some nightlife!!! We visited several different pubs and listened to some music here and there. We ended up at The King’s Head again and spent the rest of the night enjoying the awesome music from Twisted Ninja!! While this was not traditional Irish trad music like we were looking for, they rocked!! They played all rock and alternative songs that already love, but with a twist! We danced the night away!! Check them out on Facebook and see if they will be playing anywhere on your next vacation!!
In the morning we dragged ourselves out of bed nice and early to catch the O’Brien Ferry in Doolin to the Aran Islands!!! Stay tuned to my next blog to hear all about it!!
