"As I went down to Galway town to seek for recreation..."
Warning: A long blog post ahead. Lots of photos.
I'd always wanted to see Ireland and the Galway Races happened to be on, so I thought why not. I flew to Dublin on the 28. of July and I had a couple of hours wandering around in Dublin before taking the train to Galway.
I took a stroll in Phoenix Park. It was beautiful there. The sun's still shining at this point, making me a little bit too optimistic about the weather of the following week...
From Dublin I got to Galway late in the evening. I went straight to bed.
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| "...their feet they hardly touched the ground, the speed was so amazing..." |
On Wednesday it was time to go exploring the city a bit, I wandered around the Latin Quarter before taking a bus to Ballybrit Racecourse to see the horses! The atmosphere there was great, the weather not always that much as you can see from the photo. It was enjoyable anyway and the sun did get out at times.
Thursday was the Ladies' Day, which was the busiest day of the festival. All the girls had their hats, dresses and very high heels on and boys all suited and booted, I loved it. Too bad there wasn't enough room for heels in my backpack, I had to go dressed considerably more casually than most people there. I did wear a dress, but I did also wear a jumper over it as it was so cold! How the Irish girls manage to not freeze to death in those pretty little dresses I have no idea. The city was lively that night.
I liked to stay by the parade ring, it was fantastic to see all the horses and jockeys from such a close distance!
River Corrib was just outside my hostel. I love rivers and the sea, can you tell from my holiday photos? I always tend to find the water and just stay beside it. The sea air made me feel like home in Kotka, it felt amazing.
Friday morning I went walking around Claddagh, Salthill and of course along the Promenade. There was people actually swimming in the sea, it was +16 degrees... Brrrhh. Irish people, I am impressed. This comes from a Finn.
On Friday I didn't go to the races, instead I met an another au pair girl Maike, currently working just outside Galway. We went shopping and she showed me around the city.
We had the nicest cup of tea ever in this cute little tea shop called Cupán Tae (that's "a cup of tea" in Irish Gaelic, I think). It was called Dreamy Creamy Galway Tea and if you're ever in Galway, go try it. It's delicious. I had to buy some to take back to England and it's so good. I dread the day I've drank all of it, and by the rate I'm drinking it that day will be soon. It was brilliant. A definite highlight of my trip. Moving on...
Saturday was the last day in Galway for me, so I had to make the most of it. So, on a bus to the racecourse I went, of course. I tried gambling a bit, and this pony here was mine. Marty's Magic. The donkey came second, can you believe it?! In the next race I tried again only to watch my horse cross the finish line fourth.
As the trend wasn't looking too favourable for my money, I quit.
I got absolutely soaked. It was worth it.
On Sunday I took the first train to Dublin, stayed there for a couple of hours again and then flew back home. Before that I went to the beach early in the morning and said goodbye to Galway Bay. Galway is a gorgeous city and I'd definitely love to go back!
Slán go fóill, Gaillimh
River Corrib was just outside my hostel. I love rivers and the sea, can you tell from my holiday photos? I always tend to find the water and just stay beside it. The sea air made me feel like home in Kotka, it felt amazing.
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| Is it stormy or is it calm? The causeway to Mutton Island. Windy. |
Friday morning I went walking around Claddagh, Salthill and of course along the Promenade. There was people actually swimming in the sea, it was +16 degrees... Brrrhh. Irish people, I am impressed. This comes from a Finn.
On Friday I didn't go to the races, instead I met an another au pair girl Maike, currently working just outside Galway. We went shopping and she showed me around the city.
We had the nicest cup of tea ever in this cute little tea shop called Cupán Tae (that's "a cup of tea" in Irish Gaelic, I think). It was called Dreamy Creamy Galway Tea and if you're ever in Galway, go try it. It's delicious. I had to buy some to take back to England and it's so good. I dread the day I've drank all of it, and by the rate I'm drinking it that day will be soon. It was brilliant. A definite highlight of my trip. Moving on...
Saturday was the last day in Galway for me, so I had to make the most of it. So, on a bus to the racecourse I went, of course. I tried gambling a bit, and this pony here was mine. Marty's Magic. The donkey came second, can you believe it?! In the next race I tried again only to watch my horse cross the finish line fourth.
As the trend wasn't looking too favourable for my money, I quit.
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| Can you see the horses? Pouring down in Galway |
On Sunday I took the first train to Dublin, stayed there for a couple of hours again and then flew back home. Before that I went to the beach early in the morning and said goodbye to Galway Bay. Galway is a gorgeous city and I'd definitely love to go back!
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