5 experiences that will make you fall in love with Galway

Ireland is a country where music is very important, but it is particularly the case in Galway, where plenty of famous musicians come from, such as We Banjo 3, The Saw Doctors, and the Majestic Bears. And the best places to enjoy it are definitely the traditional Irish pubs, such as Taaffe’s Bar, Monroe’s, Tig Coili, The Crane Bar, or Tigh Fox, where you will find plenty of gigs and great musicians all the way throughout the week. But of course, Irish music isn’t just about organised gigs - you’ll also probably come across many buskers in the narrow streets of the city, and you could even discover future famous artists if you are lucky.

The Irish food scene is having a real moment, and Galway is no exception! Because it is surrounded by the sea, seafood is great in Ireland, and chefs have been able to develop some great restaurants with local and seasonal ingredients. For instance, try Loam on Fairgreen, one of Galway’s Michelin star restaurants with chef Enda McEvoy, who was voted ‘Best Chef in Ireland‘ at the 2016 Irish Restaurant Awards. Whether you want to try local cheese and charcuterie or a tasting menu with wine pairing, it is bound to wow your taste buds. Past the Spanish Arch, you will also find wonderful Ard Bia at Nimmo's, a restaurant which offers locally sourced food varying depending on the seasons. Finally, don’t hesitate to visit Michelin starred restaurant Aniar - it has set up an 18 dishes tasting menu, and it focuses on local produce and ethical eating. Of course, if you love seafood, it is not just about restaurants - remember that there is the Galway Oyster and Seafood Festival in September every year, so go ahead and enjoy these little delicacies.

The city's beautiful sights and surroundings will certainly move you. Indeed, there are plenty of wonderful buildings to enjoy such as the Spanish Arch, Galway Cathedral, Lynch’s Castle, but also many more beautiful places a little further away, like the Aran Islands, or the rocky coasts and rolling hills typical of the west of Ireland, with places that you can do within a day. Get on a tour or on a road trip, and visit the wonderful coast with places such as Dingle, the Burren, Connemara, or the famous Cliffs of Moher just one or two hours away. Not far from the city, there are also lovely beaches where you can enjoy a nice day out. For instance, Salthill Beach which is only a few minutes away from the city centre, and a little further away Silverstrand, Grattan, and Ballyloughane beaches where you will have a lovely time, especially if it is sunny.

There is a real tradition of pubs and pub crawling in Ireland, and Galway is a great place to do so thanks to its trendy bars and pubs, and its friendly population. Indeed, the city has always been very popular with writers, artists and musicians, so it has a creative and bohemian vibe, which means the nightlife is good fun, and you’re sure it will be “a good craic”. And of course, one of the great things about Ireland is that you can enjoy some delicious pints of Guinness, so go ahead and find the best one you will ever have. If you’re trying to have a fun night out, you should try places like O’Connell’s on Eyre Square for great drinks, Bierhaus for fantastic craft beers, and Róisín Dubh for live music. There’s also An Púcán with its lovely beer garden, the Front Door which has a buzzing atmosphere, The Quays and The Kings Head for late night pints, and Tigh Neachtain and The Crane Bar for a more traditional atmosphere.

Ireland is a country rich in its cultural heritage, and there is plenty to learn about it if you visit Galway. Indeed, there’s a lot to learn just walking around the Latin Quarter - go to Eyre Square where you will find a statue of Pádraic Ó Conaire, one of Ireland’s famous writers, and a bust of John F. Kennedy, who freed the city in 1963. But there are many other places to visit if you want to learn about the history and culture. The Galway City Museum, for instance, is a great place about Galway’s archaeology, folk history, art and natural history. Besides, in front of the museum you will find the Spanish Arch, which was part of a defensive structure and dates all the way back to 1584. The city is also home to the Fishery Watchtower Museum - a place which was built to keep an eye on fish stock, and now contains fishing equipment, as well as black and white photographs that will teach you a lot about traditions.