After an overnight flight into Dublin, I jumped on a bus to make my way to Galway for my first stop in Ireland. If you’re anything like me, sleep is almost non-existent on planes, so I spent a groggy day walking around the city of Galway.  Still, this was the perfect place to do that. The vibrant colors, sounds, and scenes of the city kept me awake and engaged.  

The main tourist area of Galway is the lively Latin Quarter.  Set around the cobblestones of High and Quay Street, the colorful medieval buildings are decorated with flags, flowers, and murals. The streets are alive with performers, shops, and eateries.  Old signs and architectural details reminded me of the layers of cultural history this city has to offer. 

As an English teacher, I knew I had to make a stop at Charlie Byrne’s bookshop. Carrying over 100,000 new and used books, the store is an experience in itself. The six rooms are organized by subject, genre, and locale. I spent more time than I expected perusing the shelves for the book that would be my read for the rest of the trip. 

The Latin Quarter ends at the River Corrib. Set along the banks is the Spanish Arch. While the arch was built in 1584, it was actually an extension to the 12th century Norman town wall. Coming from America, culture this old is always awe inspiring.  The stone wall continues down the Long Walk and gives a glimpse into the fishing and trade history of the city. 

I walked across the Wolfe Tone Bridge into the oldest part of the city: Galway’s Westend. This section of the city is filled with local art, culture, and food.  It is set apart from the tourist crowd making it a quieter area, but the hand painted shops and well composed storefront vignettes are just as enticing as the places in the Latin Quarter. 

I came to the Westend specifically for the food scene and was lucky enough to score a table at Kai Restaurant. While I don’t usually write about where I eat – because I tend to just find someplace when I get hungry – this was one of my destinations for the day. It’s next to impossible to get a reservation at Kai for dinner, but they don’t take reservations for lunch, so I knew I had a chance to get a table.  The main space is decorated with wood and stone creating a cozy vibe while the skylight in the rear adds a filtered lightness to the space. While it wasn’t classic Irish food, the healthy and flavorful dish was one of the best meals I had during my trip. 

After lunch, I walked along this side of the River Corrib to Nimmos pier watch fishermen at work on their boats.  A series of worn down boats lined the shore of the river and fishermen worked to restore them to working order. Here is the real everyday life of Galway. 

Along the river Corrib but away from the city center is the impressive Galway Cathedral. Built in 1965 on the site of the former city jail, the Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed in Heaven adds to the layers of history of the city.  Just as the main streets of Galway, the colors of the inside of the cathedral are vibrant. Right away, my eye was drawn to the blue painted dome that stands 145 feet above the center of the cathedral. The arches along the main aisle frame large stained glass windows, and the 59 stops of the organ decorate the north wall. 

I ended the day with my first classic Irish pub experience. Galway is known for its oysters, so I started my dinner with a round of fresh oysters and a local beer. Afterwards, I enjoyed a plate of bangers and mash while listening to some live music. The dark and cozy ambiance of the pub and the Irish comfort food was the perfect end of my first day in Ireland.