Today is Galway

After leaving Bantry and  skipping Dingle we arrived at Galway early doors. We had anchored miles away from the port and we would have a 10-minute ride to the landing area. Unfortunately, the large tender we were expecting didn’t arrive – we had to settle for a ten-seater and a couple of Zodiacs. As most of the passengers were going to Galway town chaos reigned.

Arriving at the harbour we were greeted by a town crier and our guide. Our guide had the loudest of voices in a small body. There were eleven of us in his party and after counting us three or four times we set off. I have to say I wasn’t impressed by what I saw. The streets were busy, the place packed with tourists either standing bemused wondering were the hell they were or being marched along by shouty tourist guides. Many of the shops looked like they could do with a fresh coat of paint, but the old town was full of interesting looking pubs and restaurants.

Our guide held out the promise of an Irish whiskey at 11 o’clock. The pub was across from the main square where we barged into two other groups from our boat.  

The pub was interesting and the drink o.k. but before we had time to settle down to drink it the other two groups joined us crowding out the place. I wasn’t unhappy to leave it and head back to the pier…where we had to wait an age to get the small tender back to the boat.

I just wonder what we missed in Dingle. I understand now why Oscar Wilde left Galway. Tomorrow Killybegs and tonight a music quiz. I can’t wait.