galway, Ireland- fun by the sun

Our very first group trip as an agency was a tour of Ireland.   Galway was one of the places we spent time in and it became the favorite of many on the trip.
There's a lot to like about Galway.  The energy level runs high and you'll never be looking for somewhere to go or something to do.  I loved the music not only in the Pubs, but everywhere on the streets.  It way such a lively atmosphere and really immersed us in the music scene.
Galway has an interesting history dating back to ancient times, but I found the stories of the Spanish Armada and Galway to be especially captivating.  If you're a fan of seafood, Galway is hard to beat for options.  The pubs and restaurants all feature seafood on their menus and should not be missed.

We will be hosting a group to Ireland in September of 2025.  Click on the link below for more information:
https://www.bonvoyagebt.com/ireland-2025.html

- Cindy -

destination of the week
Galway, Ireland

With its tangled lanes lined with colorful shopfronts curving around Galway Bay, compact Galway is one of Ireland's most picturesque cities. Bolstered by an energetic student population, it's also one of the island's most vibrant, with musicians striking up in its atmospheric pubs and busking on its streets, a seafood-driven culinary scene, a jam-packed calendar of events and a bohemian soul.

Situated at the mouth of the River Corrib, Galway (Gaillimh in Irish) started out life as a fishing village, Claddagh, and really took off in the 13th century when it came under the Anglo-Norman rule of Richard Óg de Burgh (aka the Red Earl) and its city walls were constructed. It's likely the Spanish Arch, which protected moored merchant ships from Spain, is a remnant of the medieval walls. Another surviving portion has been incorporated in the Eyre Square Centre shopping mall. Fascinating archaeological finds are on display at the Hall of the Red Earl, a medieval tax office/courthouse/town hall whose remains were uncovered by accident in 1997. In 1396, Richard II transferred power to 14 merchant-family 'tribes'; the most powerful, the Lynch family, built Lynch's Castle, Ireland's finest town castle (now an AIB bank).

Galway is famed far and wide for its pubs, most of which are just a crawl from the next. Join the friendly locals as they bounce from place to place, never knowing what fun lies ahead but certain of the possibility. A brilliant starting point is Tigh Neáchtain (or just Neáchtain's – pronounced 'nock-tans' – aka Naughtons), a bright-blue-painted 19th-century treasure that attracts all walks of life beneath its low ceilings and on its tree-shaded terrace. Old-school O'Connell's, with stained glass, pressed-tin ceilings and a partially covered beer garden, is another enduring gem.  Pints of 'the black stuff' (ie Guinness) are popular, of course, but be sure to look out for Galway Hooker Irish Pale Ale, a local success story brewing locally for over a decade. Whiskey specialists include laid-back Garavan's.

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/ireland/county-galway/galway-city

travel tip of the week
enjoy a traditional music session

​Galway has to be one of the best places on the island to visit for traditional music. This is a city that lives and breathes music, from the buzzing street buskers to the endless trad sessions all over town. Step inside a traditional music pub, and you’re guaranteed an unforgettable night.

virtual vacation of the week

​Galway City is a metropolitan city by western Ireland standards. With a fascinating history dating back to medieval times, Galway is now a town bursting with life. The street scene is lively, complete with buskers, brightly painted pubs, and a multitude of shops. 
Video by Global Niko Travel  and found on YouTube

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