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Scenery Serenity and Charm –Ireland Has it AllGalway – Ireland's Hidden DelightBy Stephen ThirkillWhen thinking about Ireland the bleak, dull and desolate Craggy Island home of Father Ted may spring to mind. An island of misery, boredom and emptiness for its residents. Yet this image could not be further from the truth. Far from being bleak and boring the Republic boasts stunning scenery, serenity and an outdoors life to die for. Ireland’s picturesque west coast offers all this in abundance and is the perfect place for getting back to nature and escaping life’s stresses. With a population just under four million and few areas of concentrated population Ireland remains a simplistic tranquil place largely untouched by modern eyesores. A land offering beautiful beaches, welcoming picturesque villages, secluded delights, scintillating scenery and a slow paced uncomplicated lifestyle. Galway, 140miles and three hours west of Dublin, is an ideal base offering a delightful combination of city and rural life and accessibility via car and public transportation.
As I cruised west on the silent isolated roads the sparse nature of the Republic was striking with nothing but a carpet of fields and hedges stretching as far as the eye could see. Occasionally I stumbled across quaint villages and remote farmhouses breaking the monotony of the long drive. And as the pleasant sunshine slowly gave way to darkness I closed in on Galway that was bustling with Saturday night revellers packing into the pubs and clubs. But the night was getting thin and I had yet to reach my accommodation - exploring Galway would have to wait for another day. For the week I stayed in a spacious white cottage capable of housing eight people. The cottage boasted a comfortable living and dining area and modern kitchen and bathroom facilities.
And as I approached the village I came across the beach that was quiet and relaxing with a few people enjoying the sun. I strolled onwards passing young children vigorously digging downwards in the sand as though they were searching for Australia and energetic dogs chasing tennis balls. Spiddal, once a leper colony, has evolved into a charming rural retreat offering a haven of peace and tranquillity with ideal fishing spots, long distance hiking and biking trails, a beach and numerous golf courses and restaurants. There was a small church, library, convenience shop and a variety of reasonably priced restaurants catering for all tastes from seafood, roast dinners and fast food burger bars. On the edge of the village is Shannagarain wood, with its fine oak, hazel and birch trees and shallow babbling brook an area of scientific importance. Running through Spiddal is the famous ocean coast road offering breathtaking views of unspoilt coastline and countryside. Having spent £122 hiring a Volkswagen for the week I was determined to get my value for money and not miss out on the beautiful surroundings It was well worth it and as I meandered gently through rugged green, brown and yellow moors large mountain like hills soared into the sky whilst Small lakes sparkled softly in the afternoon sun. The winding roads took me through isolated dwellings and small friendly villages providing a taste of the real Ireland and the opportunity to stop for a refreshing Guinness.
50miles into the drive Clifton, a small harbour village, offered sedate cafes with pleasant harbour vistas, traditional pubs and commanding views of the distant hills. The route might not be as pleasing though for people suffering from car sickness with the bumpy winding roads taking their toll on back seat passengers stomach’s making stops like Clifton even more essential. But for those wanting a slightly faster paced holiday Galway city is a youthful, vibrant and bustling city embracing traditional Irish culture with the modern world. The Spanish arch, built in1594, in the old quarter part of Galway provides beautiful reminders of the city’s trading history with narrow cobbled streets and stone wall ruins surrounded by cafes and pubs dating back to the 17th century. Fat Freddie’s bistro is such a café, located on Quay Street and is well worth visiting. Outside the 1816 cross is carved close to the entrance whilst inside you are greeted with welcoming waitresses and an intimate relaxed atmosphere. Specialising in Italian and seafood the menu is vast and excellently priced and I sat down to a large BLT sandwich and salad along with a number of cappuccinos. In the corner a talented guitarists entertained the appreciative diners. And with all this costing only £3 that is a bargain in anyone’s book. Making your way up the compact Quay Street the culture clash is evident as Gaelic music blasts out from nearby family owned shops and buskers play traditional tunes alongside chart songs providing a vibrant atmosphere. Modern shops like Next, Topman and the Eyre square shopping centre sit proudly alongside souvenir and craft shops whilst Internet cafes, packed with many nationalities, provide further evidence of the city’s international mix And small multi-coloured blue, green, white and yellow buildings give the streets a colourful style similar to Copenhagen and Amsterdam. Even in the city centre solitude is widely available with scenic river views on the Salmon Weir Bridge providing the perfect spot to idly watch the world go by. As the Corrib River flows calmly through Galway fishing boats gently bob up and down in the distant bay and trees rustle in the wind making it easy to forget your troubles and get lost amongst the rippling noises of the water. Galway is blessed with many historically significant buildings like the cathedral, consisting of classic and traditional designs and St Nicholas’s Church, built by the Anglo Normans in 1320. Christopher Columbus is said to have worshipped at St Nicholas's before going on his voyage of discovery. The Irish capital heritage centre offers a magical insight into how crystal is made whilst the Lynch Castle, dating back to the 15th or 16th century, contains features only found in southern Spain. And for fans of sea life Galway plays host to Ireland’s national aquarium providing comprehensive information on both fresh and seawater specimens native to the emerald isle. The aquarium opened in Jan 2001 providing educational tours giving an interesting insight into shoreline ecology and animal adaptation. The tour explains how specimens like salmon hatch and develop throughout its life. Nature films on topics including whales, coral reefs and underground volcanoes are also shown. Tanks, housing baby Dragonets, Rocklings and Scorpion fish amongst others have also been decorated to remind viewers of famous sights around Galway. However the museum is small and lacks big crowd pulling exhibits like Sharks boasted by the world’s great aquariums. Those not aficionados of the sea world may be left disappointed and feel the seven euro entrance fee is a bit steep for 20 minutes viewing small unspectacular fish like salmon, trout and crabs. However Galway has something for everyone and can be enjoyed by all, large yet intimate, fast-paced yet lazy and easy going. A place where you can shop till you drop and explore the numerous attractions or simply sit leisurely sipping a coffee in the numerous street cafes as enchanting melodies plays in the background. And after amassing an impressive 1150miles driving it was easy to understand why the charms and delights of Ireland make the region so popular. With budget airlines offering increasingly impressive bargains it is surely a destination that will grow in popularity and see tourists flock in for many years to come. For more general information contact http://www.tourismireland.com. Detailed information on all that Galway can possibly offer can be found at http://www.galway.net. Details on Spiddal holiday homes and its prices is available at http://www.spiddalhh.com or by calling +353 (0)1 4570334, whilst travel details and ferry times are available at http://www.irishferries.ie/holidays/ireland/sefcatering/spiddal.shtml |
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Having picked up my hire car I
headed for Spiddal, a small relaxing village 10miles from Galway overlooking
the expansive glistening Galway bay. 
Located 5mins from Spiddal centre it
is ideally placed for exploring the village on foot. 
