We left Cork in a flood of rain, as our host Cyril dropped us off at the bus that took us to Galway. As soon as we pulled into the bus station in Galway City, I felt like I'd never left. Everything was familiar and comfortable, and it was grand to be back.
After checking into our hotel, we walked through the town, checking out the shops and streets I'd come to know, finding the Saturday farmers and artists market, and landing at McDonagh's for a bit of fish and chips and veg. We explored some more, then crashed for a nap at the hotel. This whole traveling between towns thing takes a toll!
We caught up on news and email, then headed out for dinner and some music at The Crane Bar, where Irish piper Éanna Ó Cróinín was having a CD launch party. He played a whole slew of solo tunes, then took a break, after which other local musicians joined him for a session. I can always count on the Crane for great music, and they did not disappoint last night.
At the pub we also met Audrey from McLean, Virginia, an ex-pat who married an Irishman. She must have overheard Paul and me speaking, and she struck up a conversation with us, happy to hear some American accents. She lives in Dublin, but was in Galway visiting a friend from Chantilly, Virginia, who is finishing up writing a book in Galway. Small world.
At midnight we'd had our fill, so we wandered back to the hotel for one of the most restful nights of sleep we've had thus far in Ireland. There's something to be said for comfy beds and quiet exteriors.
Not sure what we're going to do today. The sun greeted us early in the morning, but now it's raining and cloudy. As they say, if you don't like the weather in Ireland, wait 5 minutes. We'll see how well that works today.
After checking into our hotel, we walked through the town, checking out the shops and streets I'd come to know, finding the Saturday farmers and artists market, and landing at McDonagh's for a bit of fish and chips and veg. We explored some more, then crashed for a nap at the hotel. This whole traveling between towns thing takes a toll!
We caught up on news and email, then headed out for dinner and some music at The Crane Bar, where Irish piper Éanna Ó Cróinín was having a CD launch party. He played a whole slew of solo tunes, then took a break, after which other local musicians joined him for a session. I can always count on the Crane for great music, and they did not disappoint last night.
At the pub we also met Audrey from McLean, Virginia, an ex-pat who married an Irishman. She must have overheard Paul and me speaking, and she struck up a conversation with us, happy to hear some American accents. She lives in Dublin, but was in Galway visiting a friend from Chantilly, Virginia, who is finishing up writing a book in Galway. Small world.
At midnight we'd had our fill, so we wandered back to the hotel for one of the most restful nights of sleep we've had thus far in Ireland. There's something to be said for comfy beds and quiet exteriors.
Not sure what we're going to do today. The sun greeted us early in the morning, but now it's raining and cloudy. As they say, if you don't like the weather in Ireland, wait 5 minutes. We'll see how well that works today.
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