Scenes of Galway on Paddy's Weekend

I walked outside this morning and was inspired by the crisp and cloudy Spring St. Paddy's Day eve (click on the photo to open the photoset in a new window). I decided that I was going to take some photos of the things that I walk by and take for granted. Galway is truly a beautiful city with so much to offer. I felt like a tourist in my own town (it's still a little weird to think that I live here) and there are certainly plenty of tourists around this weekend. Erin's parents are coming in a few weeks so I decided to brush up on some scenes of Galway. This post is dedicated to those who have visited us, those who plan to visit us, and those who won't be able to visit.

I started off by taking a few shots of our flower boxes and pots. We also have a patio garden but not much is happening there right now, though I did plant some wildflower seeds last weekend so my son and I are keeping an eye out for little sprouts. Meanwhile back in the Midwestern US where we're from, they are still recovering from a boatload of snow. Sorry guys!

I grabbed my bike and headed for Eyre Square, originally a jousting area outside the city walls of Medieval Galway, now the center of town with Kennedy Park in the center, named for JFK's visit to Galway in 1963, flags of the crests of the original Galway tribes, and a cool metal sculpture representing the famous Galway Hooker fishing boat. I also grabbed a shot of the Skeffington Arms Hotel and Pub because the two flags of Ireland surrounding the flag of Galway were begging to be photographed as they flapped in the breeze on this Paddy's Day eve. I hopped back on my bike and flew through the narrow streets passing the congestion with ease, thankful that I wasn't bogged down by an internal combustion engine.

I made it to NUI Galway campus and had never noticed the color scheme of the flowers at the main entrance. Had these always been white and maroon, the school colors? As I said, it's easy to take everyday things for granted. I some nice shots of the long row of daffodils with the Quad in the background before heading over there to get some artistic shots of the inside of the Quad as viewed from one of the sets of arches. Next, I headed to the other side of campus and rode along a path the follows the River Corrib upstream, past some castle ruins and then to the pitches where some footballers were practicing. I turned around since it was almost time for class and got some great shots of a massive field of daffodils on the back side of the Cairnes Graduate School of Business.

After class, I headed back into town to find the streets buzzing with tourists. I decided to take a few snaps of St. Nicolas Collegiate Church, supposedly the oldest building still in use in Galway dating from the 14th century. I also took a few shots of the street where the weekly farmers' market is held next to the famous Sheridan's Cheesemongers. One of the the best scenes I captured today was at The King's Head pub, one of the oldest in Galway and my favorite place to grab a pint and catch some music. The back of the King's Head is also about 50 metres from my apartment, nice eh? They were so stocked full of beer kegs for the big day tomorrow that they had no room to store them so the kegs were strewn about outside the front and the back of the pub. It was brilliant!

I proceeded down Buttermilk Lane and caught a few shots of An Taibhdearc, the national Gaelic theatre of Ireland. It's just behind The King's Head Pub and shows plays, musicals, and each fall, Music at the Crossroads, a fusion of modern and traditional Irish music. We saw this last September and it was amazing. Read more about An Taibhdearc on Wikipedia. Finally, I just had to get a shot of the Galway Head Store before heading home, just around the corner.

I plan to continue this series of taking snaps of scenes from Galway. So stay tuned!

Comments

[Gregg]

Some great captures. The main picture, WOW that's a lot of untapped kegs :D

[James Britton]

Thanks! It was a madhouse here yesterday!

[Propolis Addict]

You should take tons of pics just for the memories. When I was studying in Sydney last time, I didn't snapped many pictures because it feels like it's your own hometown already.

It's only when I'm back to my country did I realize that I got only a handful of photos in Australia. What a shame.

[James Britton]

It's easy to take your "hometown" for granted. We've become comfortable here so I have decided to be a bit of a tourist. Doesn't it always seem like when you go on holiday you never take the pictures that you should have? I think I'll start carrying my camera around all the time now...

[Macoosh]

nice shots! hope it was a good holiday!

[James Britton]

Thanks Macoosh! It was pretty good, but as you know the weather was shite :)
It's actually snowing a bit off and on here today. We just stayed inside after the parade and had our Guinness at home, watched the tragedy of the rugby tournament and then some movies. It was still fun though! :) Hope you had a nice holiday as well!

[Bryan Baker]

Happy St. Patrick's Day James
Looks like you had a great time in Galaway. I didn't even get to drink any green beer! But...they did dye the Chicago River green...seriously.

[James Britton]

Loads of Americans here in Galway, it's strange...and at least we didn't have to succumb to green beer, ugh! Only Guinness for me!

I'm writing a recap post that should be ready for Monday.

[David Airey :: Creative Design]

Keep up the photography, James.

Some nice shots. :)

[James Britton]

Thanks! It's nice to be a tourist in your own town. I've been carrying my camera with me since I never know when I might see a good photo-op.