Galway Bay

With only one full day in Galway we’re out walking early today heading for the cathedral. Our route takes us over the aptly named Salmon Weir Bridge where anglers are already fly fishing in the River Corrib. The cathedral was started in 1958 and completed in 1965 and is the youngest cathedral in Europe. It’s of traditional design built it grey stone with beautiful stained-glass windows and a domed roof over the central transept. There’s also lots of mosaic art in the side chapels and a lovely altar area at the centre of the building which looks like services can be taken “in the round”. We walk on past Spanish Arch, Galway Harbour and onto the path along the edge of Galway Bay. Lots of people are out running, walking exercising their dogs along the pathway which takes in the beauty of Galway Bay with its hints of mist shrouded lands on the horizon.

After a couple of miles and several “are we there yet’s?” the finishing post of our walk comes into sight, Wilde’s, a trendy café cum restaurant and a very welcome sight. We sink into the chairs and manage to order seafood chowder and Irish soda bread for lunch and yes, it is mouth-wateringly good. A local bus back into Galway gives us another view of the Salthill area, lots of B&B’s, colourful window boxes and baskets.

Galway city is quite small and it’s easy to wander around it, taking in the sights such as Lynch Castle, a fortified house, Browne Gate and Eyre Square by day and all the time there’s a background hum of Irish music. Our evening starts with a meal at McSwiggan’s on the recommendation of our taxi driver and he obviously knows a good restaurant. The steak is melting and the rioja excellent, as is the sharing chocolate and nut brownie. We continue onto his next suggestion Tig Coili to hear some more traditional Irish music and as they are set up by the window we opt to sit outside in the cool. On the opposite side of the street a 3-piece band has set up playing among other songs “Purple Rain”, it’s quite a contrast of musical genres.