Day 6 - Galway

Day 6 brings us to Galway, the 3rd largest city in Ireland and a true college town (it is home to the University of Ireland - Galway).  We started our day with a cruise on Lough Corrib, the link between the Corrib lakes and the River Shannon.  After boarding the Corrib Princess we sailed past ruins of thatched-roof stone houses, Menlo Castle, and a site where spear heads from 1900 years ago were found.

Corrib Princess



Ruin of thatched roof stone house







 

Menlo Castle

After returning from our cruise we visited the area of Galway called the Claddagh (birthplace of the Claddagh ring).  Jusst above that area is The Quays, a pedestrian area full of shops, pubs, & nightclubs -- very busy on a Saturday night!  At the top of The Quays we found a weekend street market full of stalls selling fruits, vegetables, toys, cheese, crepes, clothing, and freshly made donuts.  Seriously, the gentleman would take the order and only then would he make the donuts.  Just a couple of minutes later you would have a fresh, hot donut in your hand (wrapped in a serviette - napkin) after being tossed in sugar & then sprinkled with your choice of cocoa or cinnamon.

Later in the evening, we returned to The Quays to see some of the nightlife.  The area was thronged with college students out for a night at the club -- lots of very short skirts & very high heels & mates sharing a laugh and a beer.  Because Rachel is under 18 (and all the pubs were carding) we headed back toward the hotel and found a hotel pub that was open to all ages.  There were 2 young musicians there practicing their music -- 2 guitars and a wonderful voice singing mainly music from the 60's.  We hung out and drank 7-up until almost midnight.

In the morning, heading out to Dublin via Clonmacnoise, home of the high crosses.