After a long weekend in the Cathair na Gaillimhe and the surrounding area, I can agree. There is more to say than can ever be spoken about the sights and pubs and things that transpired, so I will start with the basics. For those who may not know, Galway is located on the west coast of Ireland, nearly due west of Dublin. Our adventure began Thursday evening on a €18 return Bus Éireann coach out of Dublin, a ride which regrettably took nearly four hours. One of my best friends is studying at the National University of Ireland in Galway and I was excited to see her waiting for us at the bus station. Bridget lives in a flat in Gort na Coiribe, a student community ten minutes walk from city centre, and put the six of us up in her place for the weekend. That is a whole other story in itself. From my perspective, Galway offers a major contrast to life here in Dublin. The city is vibrant and alive with Irish culture. I won’t get into detail about the nightlife, but needless to say it is excellent. Pubs I recall include Hole in the Wall, The Crane, Taaffes, Quays, and The Kings Head. Seriously, stop by for a few pints and live music at any of these fine establishments and you will not be disappointed. We spent Friday walking through the city, starting at the university and ending up down on Shop Street in the city centre. If you are looking for a quick bite, don't miss Wards Corner Store. In general Galway is not terribly large, but there is plenty to do and see in an afternoon. We contemplated jumping into a random fishing boat tied to the dock down near the Spanish Arches, but decided against it. Evenings aside, Saturday was the highlight of the weekend. I have no idea why it was there, but to our great fortune a Galway Tour Company bus headed for the Cliffs of Moher was parked right outside the flat in the morning. The tour started inland, stopping at various points of interest in CountyClare and the Burren Region. Parts of the landscape felt like that of the moon and I wonder how people could have survived there. A few stops were better than others; I am almost positive the walk in a circle around the top of the raised earth mound fort was to see how much we drank the night before. Overall the majority of the places were interesting and it was grand to see a new part of the country. After the Burren, the tour turned west and headed for the coast to the Cliffs of Moher. Call it fate or whatever you like, but the clouds moved away and the sun came out for the hour or so we spent there. No words can describe the view. Standing on the edge of the cliffs with the ocean stretched out over the horizon the world felt infinite. At the same time you cannot help but feel small, somehow worthy enough for the chance to take it all in. I swear every place I go on this island is more beautiful than the last. The tour concluded with a drive up the coastal road back into Galway as the sun went down. Simply stunning. More shenanigans ensued that evening, and for various reasons we stayed in bed a bit longer than planned the following morning. All I can say is that we had a good deal of craic. Already wishing to return, we said goodbye to Galway on Sunday afternoon and suffered through a flat out awful bus ride back to Dublin. I think we stopped at every single town across the width of the country. That misery aside, this weekend was arguably my best yet in Ireland. Great friends, pints, beautiful places, and stories I am sure we will tell for a long time. I think we all asked ourselves why we are not studying in Galway on several occasions, but I have come to the conclusion that the distractions there are far to great. At the very least, the trip has given me the motivation to get to know Dublin a bit more for the tradition and culture that it has to offer. For now it is back to normal at UCD, if normal is at all a way to describe this semester. This place gets better everyday. Cheers.
Words can hardly due justice for the sights and events of this weekend.
Sometimes you get to that point in life where it feels like you constantly live out of a bag. Except this time its no weekend, its four months in someplace new. If you want to come along for the ride, read as often as you like.
This is life in transit, through the lens and the pen. I am an undergrad at Fordham University, where I am studying in the College of Business. The following is original work, my take and perspective on the things around me. My viewpoint is one of many, none perfect but all unique. Enjoy.
pointed. We spent Friday walking through the city, starting at the university and ending up down on 
her. Call it fate or whatever you like, but the clouds moved away and the sun came out for the hour or so we spent there. No words can describe the view. Standing on the edge of the cliffs with the ocean stretched out over the horizon the world felt infinite. At the same time you cannot help but feel small, somehow worthy enough for the chance to take it all in. I swear every place I go on this island is more beautiful than the last. The tour concluded with a drive up the coastal road back into 
Love the photos. Keep it up.
ReplyDeleteJim D.