#westcoastireland

[e-deliciou-s]

ABOUT to devour this simple Irish ☘️ country style breakfast 🍳 #edelicioustravel #countrystylebreakfast #breakfast #simplebreakfast. . . . #countryliving #countryside #ireland🍀 #simplelifestyle #travelingfoodie #travelblogger #pinoyfoodie #countrykitchen #countryhomes #ontheroad #travelfood #travelfoodie #homestay #sydneyfoodies #wheninthecountryside #westcoastireland (at Galway, Ireland) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3gl1NCAdP6/?igshid=1rbrc044f68ug

[amylynnmilstein]

Taken a long time ago #ireland #cliffsofmoher #cliffs #westcoastireland #wanderer #explorer #throwback #photojunkie #naturephotography #photography (at My Office) https://www.instagram.com/p/B1-C2ucgIQk/?igshid=3rw05qc4knsy

[rodneyoc]

Inishtooskert catching the breaking waves from Clogher beach in Dingle last weekend #dingle #sigmauk #sigmaireland #sigma150600c #sonyalpha #sonya7#ireland #loveireland #westcoastireland #irelandseascape #telephotography #islandsofireland #rodneyocallaghanphotographyworkshop #travel #rodneyocallaghanphotography #nisifilter #leefilters https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw5E2b6HPF5/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=dyzr7v2kkkxm

[markusvoetter]

Blackhead Lighthouse bear Ballyvaughan. #markusvoetter #markusvoetterphotography #voto.ie #irishlandscape #ireland #loneleyplanet #irelandtravel #travelireland #ballyvaughan #blackhead #lighthouse #irishlighthouse #fineart #westcoast #irishcoast #westcoastireland #wildatlanticway #countyclare #tourismireland #countyclareireland (at Ballyvaughan) https://www.instagram.com/p/BtyQ2FjnGuU/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=sc93wl15uih5

[aspirephotography1]

There are no strangers here only friends you have not yet met ~ W.B.Yeats #yeats #wbyeats #poet #scholar #irish #sligo #yeatscountry #yeatscountry #irishpoet #poetry #poetrycommunity #visitireland #wildatlanticway #westcoastireland #visitsligo #sligotourism #instaireland (at Sligo, Ireland)

[thesixweekseeker]

A land without a plan…

(5/2-5/12/17)

So I don’t always (usually) have a plan in life but I really didn’t have anything lined up for my next venture to Ireland that was coming up in less than a week. The only plan that I did have was a flight in and out of Dublin, and that kept changing by the minute. You can credit bad influence besties and a hot new romantic interest in NYC who were supporting my United change fee habit.  So, I decided to just wing it in the Emerald Isle and stick with no plan is the best plan.

I landed bright and early on Tuesday morn’ and I luckily slept most o’ the way (I’ll stop) from EWR to DUB.  I apparently slept so soundly that I even missed the customs form handout portion.  I had a panic moment when I rolled up to the counter at the Dublin Airport ….

Agent: (Serious face) Customs form please.

Susie: (Red face) I’m so sorry, I don’t have mine … I slept through that on the plane … and

Agent: (Cuts off my monologue) Well, where are you staying in Ireland?

Susie: (Trying to sound like I have a plan) Ummm, I don’t know yet.

Agent: (Looking at me like I’m a hot mess) Well how long are you staying in Ireland?

Susie: (Feeling like a hot mess) I think 6 Weeks.

Agent: (Flabbergasted) Why would you stay in Ireland for 6 Weeks?!?

Susie: (Return Flabbergasted) Why wouldn’t I stay in Ireland for Weeks?!?

Agent: (Finally chuckling) That’s a good answer I suppose.  You don’t need a customs form.  Enjoy your stay.

True story.

After making it through that thorough interrogation, I needed to figure out where I would venture to first.  From those who have gone before me, the feedback was “you pretty much can’t go wrong” followed up with a general consensus of Galway City being the best.  So I decided to embark upon “The West Village of Ireland” and was off to find a mode of transport.  

Since I was still pretty loopy and a little anxious about driving on the left side (since I can barely drive on the right side), I passed on the car rental option for now. You’re welcome everyone in Ireland.  *Side note: learn how to drive a manual before arriving.  A monthly car rental was about $1,000 for an automatic but as cheap as $200 for a manual.  Click here for some good tips if you plan to rent a car while in Ireland.

Luckily, the bus system is super legit across the entire country.  At the Dublin Airport, each “city” or destination has its own bay if you walk around to the area between Terminals 1 & 2.  It is very clearly marked and organized, and for each destination there are several bus options (see helpful link here).  I found a CityLink Bus heading to Galway City, and I was wifi-enabled and set for the 2.5 hour journey for a mere 20 Euros.  Winning.

I unfortunately slept through most of the bus ride to Galway, but the parts that I saw half-awake/half-delirious were gorgeous. We arrived at the city centre bus station and since I was rolling with a non-low maintenance checked bag, I found a taxi right outside.   *Second side note: Everything less than 5 Euros is given in coin format.  So whereas my ride was 6 Euros and I thought I was giving him .40 Euros back, I actually gave him 4 Euros back.  I’m counting that as my Six Week Random Act of Kindness for the day. #rakitup

My friend had a friend who has relatives who own a B&B in Lower Salthill called Wards Hotel (did you follow that).  Lower Salthill is a pretty seaview area right next to Galway City, so I figured I would start my lodging adventure there.   Unfortunately as I strolled up to Wards I was shut down by the bartender (in a very kind manner of course) who let me know that it was completely booked.  If only there was a way to pre-book your accommodations and avoid this sort of thing…

Anyway, I was sticking to my no plan/spontaneous game and he directed me down Father Griffin Road where there were 6 B&B’s back to back.  Luckily there was one that still had vacancies called The Swallow.  I met the lovely grandpa-like owner named Jimmy.  *Btw, EVERYONE here is named Jimmy.  Makes it super sweet when addressing people if you are inept at remembering names like myself.  I can just say “hey Jimmy” to any guy and it usually sticks.

My reservation exchange with Jimmy lasted all of one minute.  He smiled at me and said “number 6 is available – go have a look.” To which I did and it was good. Bed, bathroom, clean, quiet – score.  I came back down and he said “take it day by day, stay as long as you’d like, pay when you leave and here’s your key.”  This man clearly knows his audience.  One day turned into two, which turned into three, and I ended up staying for ten days so that’s how it goes.

Jimmy and his wife Patricia are the owners at The Swallow, and they made everything great for me.  They were there when I needed them, and out of my way when I didn’t.  Breakfast was solid (not a full traditional Irish breakfast if that’s what you are searching for) but more than plenty to start the day.  They will also set you up with the West Coast tours that are must-dos (Connemara, Cliffs of Moher and Aran Islands) and can even get you picked up right outside of the B&B.  

However the best part, next to them, is the location. It’s perfectly situated right between Galway City and Salthill.  Both are about a 10-15 minute walk away depending on your destination, and both spots are equally good (IMO).  The Swallow isn’t extravagant, as most B&Bs there aren’t, but with 45 Euros getting you an ensuite, free wifi, breakfast, amazing owners and an unbeatable central location, it’s a perfect deal for your home base in the West.  Click here to learn more and/or book your stay.

 Galway City completely won me over with its small town charm + big city energy. I’ll be sharing more of my epic highlights there along with my hunt for healthy eats (and maybe a few unhealthy ones that are worth the cheat) in blogs to follow.  I know most people say “it’s impossible to stay healthy while traveling” so it’s my mission to continue to prove that statement as a big fat FALSE. 

Stay tuned in eager anticipation for all of the goodness that is to come from Ireland …

[shanefinney1-blog]

Blanket islands Co Kerry #wildatlanticway #westcoastireland #instaireland #irishpassion #exploringireland #discoverireland #inspireland_ #travelireland #loves_ireland #love_united_ireland #tourismireland #ig_ireland #impactcauseway #discoverireland #youririshadventure #kerry #loveireland (at Blasket Islands)

[donnamcgee]

Check out my latest blog post www.donnamcgee.ie/ideal-inspiration-for-ideal-home-show . . . . . #westport#wildatlanticway🌊☁️ #gurteenbay #donnamcgee #loveireland🍀 #loveirisharts #artforyourwalls #artlovers #artistonignstagram #art🎨✏️ #artinspirations #carrowmore #myidealhomeshow #myidealhome #whatsonindublin #irishlandscape #irishseascapeart #irishartcollector #westcoastireland🍀🌁 https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu3dZOEn1_0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1avpxk37t8693

[aspirephotography1]

A Misty Past, within shadows and light. What lays beyond this early morning dew and glistening silver steps of Yeats Country. #glencar #yeats #yeatscountry #ireland #mist #tree #countryside #minimalism #sligo #wildatlanticway #landscape #landscape_lovers #naturephotography #naturelovers #walk #hiking #outdoors #westcoastireland #visitireland #tourismireland (at Glencar Lake)

[donnamcgee]

Regatta day - this is one of the #GalwayHookers- oil paintings completed since my wonderful trip to #westcoastireland . . . . . #roundstone #galwayireland #fineartwork #irishartist #instaireland #instadaily #loveirishart #LoveIreland #artpeople #Contemporaryart #oilpainting #instart #artistoninstagram #irishlandscapeart #seascapepainting ##DonnaMcGee #artoftheday #best_of_ie #irelandexploring (at Roundstone) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bm5gmNsHnIv/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=226m0t73pyqm

[donnamcgee]

#galwayhookers #westcoastireland 20x16 #oil #painting #art #irishart #irishartinfo #loveirishart #instartist #blockcanvas #picoftheday

[23degreesroastery]

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Ferry to the Aran Islands (The Aran Islands or The Arans are a group of three islands located at the mouth of Galway Bay, on the west coast of Ireland. They constitute the barony of Aran in County Galway, Ireland.) Aran in County Galway, Ireland Photo credit : Miriam #23drmug #MugginAroundTown #travel #mugginaroundEurope #aranislands #aran #galway #ireland #europe #eurotrip #fromtorontowithlove #Toronto #23drclove #23DRC #ferry #ferryride #galwaybay #westcoastireland