Spiddal and Ballyloughane

I got the courage to go out in the car in the Monday. Some of the roads are not how I would exactly describe a road. 

The weather was amazing for the rest of my trip. Sunny, clear blue skies. And freezing temperatures.
My hotel was near Ballyloughane beach and strand so I took a walk first thing.

Beach

Frosty seaweed.

Not caring about the cold.

I decided not to sit and enjoy the view

I really wanted to go to Spiddal, which has a craft village (which was mostly open). There was a glass shop I really wanted to visit. The GPS decided to take me an interesting route. I guess because the speed limit was 50 mph. But no one in the right mind would consider going that speed. I can't remember the name but there is an Irish name for these roads which basically means grass in the middle. Because the roads are so narrow, no one ever drives over the middle of the road and grass grows down the centre. Thankfully I only came across one person coming in the opposite direction. And he reversed. I was not looking forward to having to do that. But it did take me through some very lovely countryside. 

Spiddal craft village.

After lunch there (more soup!) I found the way to the beach.

I walked around the pier and along the shore line, over the rocks.

I spent the rest of the afternoon back at the hotel, some enjoying a liquor coffee in the bar next to the open fire. Before back into the cold and into town again for my last meal there. The seafood is amazing and I found a nice seafood restaurant. It was a bit over priced but tasty. 

Galway

I spent Saturday around town. Despite being there during the middle of the day, the sun did not get very high so a lot of the photos lookalike sunset.

The harbour is very pretty and worth a walk around.

Harbour

All the guide books talk about the Spanish Arch. But frankly it was a little underwhelming. Still not sure why it i so important.

Spanish Arch

The Galway museum is a nice little place and free to get in.

Skull of a follower of someone

Giant bullet from WWI

A Galway Hooker boat

Back on the harbour

High river

Canal basin

I spent most of the day wondering around the city. The Cathedral is amazing! So beautiful. I didn't take any photos int here (felt wrong) but the stain glass Rose windows are lovely. They have some lovely markets too. 

Like everywhere they have Christmas markets going on and the lights are out.