Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
structed in 1958. Whereas most of the cathedrals and churches in Ireland display a fairly
traditional Gothic style of architecture, this one has a much more eclectic style, combining
Spanish and Romanesque influences.
Salthill
Situated about a mile to the southwest of central Galway is the little neighborhood of Salt-
hill. Once a quiet seaside suburb, Salthill has seen significant development over the last
couple of decades, and is hardly recognizable from its former self. The advantage of this
development is that there are now plenty of things for tourists to do in Salthill, notably a
very pleasant seaside promenade and one of Connacht's few sandy beaches. Between the
frigid waters and unpredictable weather, this is hardly a sunbather's paradise. You're not in
Brazil, after all. But the beach is remarkably free of crowds, and on those sunny days in late
summer when the water briefly warms up, you can have all the sand and surf to yourself!
The Saturday Market
Every Saturday for seemingly as long as anyone can remember, Saturdays have been Mar-
ket Day in Galway. From 8am to around 6pm each week, Church Lane transforms into
a bustling marketplace. Dozens of merchants sell seasonal goods, souvenirs, and foods of
every kind. Since Galway is such a crossroads of modern globalization and traditional Irish
culture, it should come as no surprise that the selection at the Saturday Market is extremely
eclectic - at one stall you'll find a man selling locally-produced cheeses, while his neigh-
bor may be selling Spanish olives or crêpes as soft and flavorful as any you'd find in Paris.
(Insider tip: don't miss the sausage cart , especially during winter - their small, spicy saus-
ages are outstanding, and there's no better way to stave off the cold.) There's also a smaller
and shorter Market Day on Sunday afternoons, but the selection tends to be more limited.
Traditional Music
If you're going to be spending any time in Ireland's cultural capital, it would be a shame to
leave without taking in any of the city's incredible musical delights. This might include an
evening at The Crane , a tiny West End pub that has gained a reputation as the city's best
venue for traditional music. Monroe's Tavern also has a roaring “trad fest” every single
night of the week. If you want to learn a little Irish set dancing, stop by on Tuesday nights
to watch and learn. There's also Taafles , centrally located near the main shopping district
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