Galway Getaway

Off to Galway for a few days in week's time. Done Cork and Kerry many times, but this is our first time venturing that little bit further north. Other than the de rigeur consumption of that delicious black and white drink they have out there, does anyone have any Galway tips or 'must-do's'?

[honey lamb]

Connemara to the west and if you can get up to Killary Harbour. The scenery is stunning

Westport and Achill Island (a 2 hour run)

The Burren in north County Clare

The Cliffs of Moher with its sooper-dooper new visitors centre opened yesterday (Don't know what it's like - just that it's new)

Thank you honey lamb. How did I know it'd be you who'd respond to my query...?

I'd thought about Connemara (weather permitting), just wasn't sure about time and distances. We're staying at the St Clerans hotel near a village called Craughwell, about half an hour east of Galway City. Is this too far east to get out to Connemara for a day? And is the city worth a look, or one to be avoided?

[Decker]

Spent some weeks there recently. Stayed in the SAS Radisson and the Harbour. The latter a LOT cheaper though not as comfortable and in good walking distance of the Quay for good food. If you don't want trad food the Thai Garden (next to the Lemon Grass) does good honest value for money Thai. Best restaurant I found was Kirwan's Lane.

Originally posted by Decker
Spent some weeks there recently. Stayed in the SAS Radisson and the Harbour. The latter a LOT cheaper though not as comfortable and in good walking distance of the Quay for good food. If you don't want trad food the Thai Garden (next to the Lemon Grass) does good honest value for money Thai. Best restaurant I found was Kirwan's Lane.

How can you go to Ireland and describe Thai as "trad" food?!

Chris

Originally posted by cshore

Originally posted by Decker
Spent some weeks there recently. Stayed in the SAS Radisson and the Harbour. The latter a LOT cheaper though not as comfortable and in good walking distance of the Quay for good food. If you don't want trad food the Thai Garden (next to the Lemon Grass) does good honest value for money Thai. Best restaurant I found was Kirwan's Lane.

How can you go to Ireland and describe Thai as "trad" food?!

Chris

He said "if you don't want trad food":)

Originally posted by Mrs Decker

Originally posted by cshore

Originally posted by Decker
Spent some weeks there recently. Stayed in the SAS Radisson and the Harbour. The latter a LOT cheaper though not as comfortable and in good walking distance of the Quay for good food. If you don't want trad food the Thai Garden (next to the Lemon Grass) does good honest value for money Thai. Best restaurant I found was Kirwan's Lane.

How can you go to Ireland and describe Thai as "trad" food?!

Chris

He said "if you don't want trad food":)

OK, so how can you go to Ireland and NOT eat trad food...? I know, even for the most hardened 'eireophile', seafood chowder and soda bread can wear one down after a while.

Kirwan's Lane looks nice.

I'm not sure how far The Burren is from Galway, but from what I've heard I'd really recommend it.

VS.

If you have time, then I really recommend the Aran Isles. You can take a ferry to Inis Mor and hire bikes or just go hiking. It's great for a day trip.

The Cliffs of Moher are also worth a visit. Just make sure it's not too windy a day. During our visit, a friend and I were caught by a large gust of wind which sent us both hurtling down the side of the hill, life flashing before eyes kind of moment!

Enjoy your trip

[honey lamb]

Originally posted by MrsG
If you have time, then I really recommend the Aran Isles. You can take a ferry to Inis Mor and hire bikes or just go hiking. It's great for a day trip.

Enjoy your trip

You can also fly to the Aran Islands - after all that's where Aer Arann started.

I'd thought about Connemara (weather permitting), just wasn't sure about time and distances. We're staying at the St Clerans hotel near a village called Craughwell, about half an hour east of Galway City. Is this too far east to get out to Connemara for a day? And is the city worth a look, or one to be avoided?

Connemara is very do-able even from Craughwell. There are some lovely harbours such as Roundstone, and Clifden is about an hour from Galway and lies snuggling in a valley. There used to be an hotel there called the Alcock and Brown and of course near there is the very spot they landed after the first transatlantic trip, thereby signalling the start of VS. [y]

The Burren and the north Clare coast, including the Allwee caves would also be very accessible and in fact you may well find that area touted in Craughwell rather than Connemara

Originally posted by honey lamb

Originally posted by MrsG
If you have time, then I really recommend the Aran Isles. You can take a ferry to Inis Mor and hire bikes or just go hiking. It's great for a day trip.

Enjoy your trip

You can also fly to the Aran Islands - after all that's where Aer Arann started.

I'd thought about Connemara (weather permitting), just wasn't sure about time and distances. We're staying at the St Clerans hotel near a village called Craughwell, about half an hour east of Galway City. Is this too far east to get out to Connemara for a day? And is the city worth a look, or one to be avoided?

Connemara is very do-able even from Craughwell. There are some lovely harbours such as Roundstone, and Clifden is about an hour from Galway and lies snuggling in a valley. There used to be an hotel there called the Alcock and Brown and of course near there is the very spot they landed after the first transatlantic trip, thereby signalling the start of VS. [y]

The Burren and the north Clare coast, including the Allwee caves would also be very accessible and in fact you may well find that area touted in Craughwell rather than Connemara

Just realised. I fibbed earlier. Have been to Galway - we did the Aran Islands a few years ago, but by ferry from Clare. Marvelous place; hired bikes, did Dun Aengus, drank Guinness, ate crab claws.

Connemara, and Clifden in particular, looks like a decent day trip. Thanks again for your help.