DAYTRIPPIN' - GALWAY
On the May bank holiday weekend we went on an unplanned over nighter to Galway. It's a place we love going to because it's just so colourful, vibrant and always so buzzy. Every time we go, we end up looking at house prices and constantly asking each other "would you live here?", "I dunno, would you?". If you're ever looking for Shane or I, you'll find us with our faces pressed up against an estate agents window.
We stayed in The Radisson Hotel which was perfect for us because it's only a few minutes from Eyre Square, so we could walk everywhere (woohoo! we can both have a glass of wine with dinner). When we arrived on the Sunday we literally just walked up and down Shop Street and Quay Street for hours because the weather was so beautiful. It's so touristy and you just feel like you're on holidays. We got a Murphys ice cream. I always get the Dingle sea salt and Shane loves the brown bread one. They're so good!
Then for dinner we went back to an old reliable. The last time we were in Galway together, Tom was in my belly and we went to this new pop-up pizza restaurant called Dough Bros. It was DELICIOUS! We decided to go back this time too and we were so happy to discover that they had moved to a new permanent premises. It's a much bigger place so it really suited us buggy wielding folk. Ok, so let's talk about the staff for a second. There was a queue out the door, the place was absolutely rammed yet none of the staff seemed stressed and everyone was greeted with a smile. Now, not to offend an entire county but there are a few spots in Dublin where we would probably get death stares because Tom was, let's say, "vocal" while we were waiting to order - but the staff were SO amazing here. They're friendly, accommodating and even interacted with Tom which always relaxes us. It's lovely to not feel like an inconvenience. Bearing in mind the staff are really young, they are all just so warm. This is the type of place that on paper could border on "hipster" but it's not at all the case, the atmosphere is really special. Plus the music is brilliant! (Go! and order the Posh Pepperoni!!)
Back to the hotel we went and we were all in bed by 9.30pm. If I'm honest, I'm secretly delighted that I don't go out anymore! I shudder sometimes when I see people queuing to get into a bar. The next day we did more of the same, just sauntering around looking at street performers and giving into Tom's latest obsession of giving money to buskers. We just basically went up Shop Street armed with a pocket full of change.
Then, something magical happened, something so perfect that we had to pinch ourselves! He fell asleep. Hallelujah!!! We weren't even hungry but we just had to find somewhere to have SOMETHING in peace. We found Martines and there we had the most incredible desserts. Shane had apple tartine with salted caramel ice-cream while I had the banoffee pie. Best of all? We didn't have to share with a toddler!
When himself woke, we jumped into the car and went to Salthill, to the amusements. I HATE amusements. My idea of torture would be being locked up in Funderland. I mean, these places are hell on earth, but hey Tom loves them, so this is my life now.
For added nostalgia, I really recommend finishing off your day with a battered cod and chips on the prom in Salthill. Sure you may as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb.
J x
