Little wonder the west of Ireland is top of most must-see lists – apart from the weather, it has it all. Routes through Mayo offer wild, romantic beauty, without the crowds. Road tripping in timeless Connemara reveals one of Europe’s most stunning corners, replete with intriguing villages, white beaches and tawny bogs. Westport and Galway deliver pit stops full of fun and frolic, as do the music-filled bars of County Clare – all provide perfect soundtracks for the mesmerising landscapes of The Burren and the Aran Islands.
Storied, sung-about and snug, Galway is one of Ireland’s great pleasures. So much so that it’s full of people who came, saw and still haven’t brought themselves to leave. See it on Trips 1 and 3
Ireland’s most bohemian burg has long celebrated difference, which accounts for its vibrant arts scene, easygoing pace and outstanding nightlife. Oldfashioned pubs with traditional sessions, theatres hosting experimental works, designated music venues in thrall to the heartfelt outpourings of the singer-songwriter… It’s just another night in Galway.
Traffic in and out of the city centre is a major issue during peak hours. The one-way system and network of pedestrianised streets can make getting around a little tricky.
Parking
Parking throughout Galway’s streets is metered. There are several multistorey and pay-and-display car parks around town.
Where to Eat
Seafood is Galway’s speciality, be it fish and chips, ocean-fresh chowder or salmon cooked to perfection. Galway Bay oysters star on many menus. Pedestrianised Quay St is lined with restaurants aimed at the tourist throngs.
Where to Stay
Base yourself in the city centre so you can take full advantage of the city’s tightly packed attractions. The west side, on the far side of the River Corrib, is where you’ll find the best concentration of eateries, classic pubs and music venues.
Galway Pub Guide (www.galwaycitypubguide.com) Comprehensive guide to the heaving scene.
Galway Tourism (www galwaytourism ie) Local tourist information
Road Trips Through Galway: Trips 1 3
Destination Coverage: here
NEED TO KNOW
CURRENCY
Euro (€)
LANGUAGES
English, Irish
VISAS
Not required by most citizens of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, USA and Canada.
FUEL
Petrol (gas) stations are everywhere, but are limited on motorways. Expect to pay €1.35 per litre for unleaded (€1.25 for diesel).
RENTAL CARS
Avis (www.avis.ie)
Europcar (www.europcar.ie)
Hertz (www.hertz.ie)
Thrifty (www.thrifty.ie)
IMPORTANT NUMBERS
Country code ( 353)
Emergencies ( 999)
Roadside Assistance ( 1800 667 788)
When to Go Climate
High Season (Jun–mid-Sep)
A Weather at its best.
A Accommodation rates at their highest (especially in August)
A Tourist peak in Dublin, Kerry and southern and western coasts.
Shoulder (Easter–May, mid-Sep–Oct)
A Weather often good: sun and rain in May, often-warm ‘Indian summers ’ in September.
A Summer crowds and accommodation rates drop off
Low Season (Nov–Easter)
A Reduced opening hours from October to Easter; some destinations close
A Cold and wet weather throughout the country; fog can reduce visibility.
A Big city attractions operate as normal.
Your Daily Budget
Budget: Less than €60
A Dorm bed: €12–20
A Cheap meal in cafe or pub: €6–12
A Pint: €4 50–5 (more in cities)
Midrange: €60–150
A Double room in hotel or B&B: €80–180
A Main course in midrange restaurant: €12–25
A Car rental (per day): €25-45
Top End: More
than€€150
A Four-star hotel stay: from €150
A Three-course meal in good restaurant: around €50
A Top round of golf from €90
Eating
Restaurants From cheap cafes to Michelin-starred feasts, covering every imaginable cuisine
Cafes Good for all-day breakfasts, sandwiches and basic dishes.
Pubs Pub grub ranges from toasted sandwiches to carefully crafted dishes
Hotels All hotel restaurants take nonguests. A popular option in the countryside.
Eating price indicators represent the cost of a main dish:
Eating Costs
€ less than €12
€€ €12–25
€€€ more than €25
Sleeping
Hotels From chain hotels with comfortable digs to Norman castles with rainfall shower rooms and wi-fi.
B&Bs From a bedroom in a private home to a luxurious Georgian townhouse
Hostels Every major town and city has a selection of hostels, with clean dorms and wi-fi Some have laundry and kitchen
Sleeping price indicators represent the cost of a double room in high season:
Sleeping Costs
€ less than €80
€€ €80–180
€€€ more than €180
Arriving in Ireland
Dublin Airport
Rental cars Rental agencies have offices at the airport
Taxis Taxis take 30 to 45 minutes and cost €25 to €30.
Buses Private coaches run every 10 to 15 minutes to the city centre (€6)
Cork Airport
Rental cars There are car-hire desks for all the main companies.
Taxis A taxi to/from town costs €22 to €26
Bus Every half hour between 6am and 10pm to the train station and bus station (€2.80).
Dun Laoghaire Ferry Port
Train DART (suburban rail) takes about 25 minutes to the centre of Dublin.
Bus Public bus takes around 45 minutes to the centre of Dublin
Mobile Phones
All European and Australasian phones work in Ireland, as do North American phones not locked to a local network Check with your provider Prepaid SIM cards cost from €10
Internet Access
Wi-fi and 3G/4G networks are making internet cafes largely redundant. Most accommodation places have free wi-fi, or a daily charge (up to €10)
Money
ATMs are widely available. Credit and debit cards can be used in most places, but check first.
Tipping
Not obligatory, but 10% to 15% in restaurants; €1/£1 per bag for hotel porters.
Useful Websites
Entertainment Ireland (www entertainment ie) Countrywide listings
Failte Ireland (www.discoverireland.ie) Official tourist-board website for the Republic.
Lonely Planet (www lonelyplanet com/ireland, www.lonelyplanet.com/ireland/northern-ireland) Destination information, hotel
bookings, traveller forum and more.
For more, see Road Trip Essentials.
Road Trips
1 Musical Landscapes, 5 Days
A ride around County Clare’s hottest trad music spots
2 North Mayo & Sligo, 4–5 Days
A windswept trip along the region’s rugged coastline.
3 Loughs of the West, 4–5 Days
The best of County Galway and Mayo’s lake and riverside routes
4 County Clare, 8–9 Days
The beautiful Burren and the heritage towns of Clare.
From the busker-packed streets of Galway city, this rip-roaring ride guides you around County Clare and the Aran Islands to delight in fine festivals and traditional-music pubs.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
5 DAYS
155KM / 96 MILES
BEST TIME TO GO
The summer months for outdoor céilidh (traditional music and dancing) and music festivals
ESSENTIAL PHOTO
Set-dancing at the crossroads, in Vaughan’s of Kilfenora
BEST FOR TUNES
Ennis, on summer nights, where local musicians showcase their skills.
Prepare for an embarrassment of musical riches. Join the big bawdy get-togethers of Galway’s alwayson music scene and Ennis’ rollicking urban boozers. Then take a seat at the atmospheric small pub sessions in crossroad villages like Kilfenora and Kilronan on the Aran Islands, where pretty much everyone joins in. Whatever way you like it, this region is undeniably one of Ireland’s hottest for toetapping tunes.
