GALWAY
A gem in the heart of the Wild Atlantic Way, one of the most spectacular scenic drives in the world, on Ireland’s east coast, lying on the eponymous bay. Galway was chosen to be the 2020 European Capital of Culture, together with Croatia’s Rijeka. Extremely popular with travellers and tourists from around the world for its strong cultural appeal and its bustling picturesque historical city centre, it has a number of buildings of artistic interest.
It is known for its artistic creativity and a contagious electrifying atmosphere, which is reflected in a packed calendar of festivals and events. Galway residents love to enjoy themselves and have got fun down to a fine art: everything from music to horse racing, through to literature and oysters.
There is a festive air all year round, giving this place its own unique appeal. As you would expect, people crowd into the brightly coloured traditional pubs every weekend to enjoy live music, or the quaint cafés — great spots for watching street performers — and the fantastic restaurants in the historical city centre.
The effervescent artistic scene draws visitors from across the globe with a flurry of activities and events that include the famous Galway International Arts Festival, the Galway International Oyster and Seafood Festival, and the Galway Races, a week-long event during which 250,000 people descend on the Galway Racecourse to watch feats of equestrian prowess.
You can almost taste the past here, the flavour of history. emnants of mediaeval Galway — including the city walls, Lynch’s Castle and the famous Spanish Arch — give the city an ancient feel.
While there is no denying its wealth of history, the city buzzes with a cultured, contemporary atmosphere, with students making up a quarter of its population.
Galway is also a major port, and its restaurants’ menus invariably feature a plethora of seafood specialties. You can taste the sea spray on the breezes that sweep through the winding lanes dotted with shops and al fresco cafés.