Galway

With only an hour or so drive to Galway, we soon found ourselves in this modern, bustling city which blends itself into its rich history. A port city where the Spanish Armada used to harbor, it now houses about 65,000 people- 20,000 of them being students attending the university.

We hopped on a tour bus which took us around the city and our guide not only told us about the history and current events of the city but he also managed to serenade my grandmother right there in front of my grandpa. Smooth. After the drive about we split up for lunch and shopping. My mom and I found the underground mall and some pedestrian shopping centers where we bought a few souvenirs and gifts for others and ourselves.

On the drive back we stopped at the Dunguaire Castle and took a quick tour. They have medieval banquets here twice a night for 51 euro, think Medieval Times but without the horses and cheesy acting.

The rest of the drive home was through a corner portion of the Burren which is a landscape full of rocks and reminds one of Mars instead of Ireland.