Time to leave for Galway. Back to the coach(not a bus in Ireland) for the drive on the motorway(not an expressway in Ireland). Count down done, no one late, no boo ing.
A beautiful example of a traditional thatched roof. Our guide tells us the craftsmanship to install these roofs is coming back now that insurance companies will cover the roof if several houses in the same area have thatched roofs.
Still overcast and rainy. Crossing the Shannon River as we leave Clonmacnoise. The water is really moving fast due to all the rain and wind.
No time to stop at the Old Fort.
Typical home by the side of the road.
One of the gazillion roundabouts. Our guide said the Germans had many leftover roundabouts and said"Why don't we give them to the Irish." and then of course, he said, "Dooon't get me staaaarted on the roundabouts." Our driver Margaret navigated all very effortlessly.
All signs are written first in Gaelic and then English. More traffic. Fortunately, Ireland designated coach only lanes or we'd never get anywhere.
First glimpse of St Nicolas Cathedral in Galway. Concert there tonight
Crossing over the Corrib River
Downtown Galway. Jim and I had seafood chowder at the King's Head Pub.
Street musicians here are called buskers. This was a very spirited rendition of an Irish tune.
Eyre Square which now includes Kennedy Park in City Centre Galway
No time for reading what is written. Must come back
Alas, (I have to use old English, I am in Merry Ole Ireland, you see), this is the famous Galway Bay over there lost in the fog.
The Salthill Hotel on the promenade along Galway Bay
Beautiful foyer, another very nice hotel. Off to our rooms to warm up and grab dinner in time for the concert tonight.
Completed in 1325, this is the largest medieval cathedral in Ireland.
Again, words cannot describe the grandeur and wonder at the construction and decoration of this cathedral
Jon organizing the set up. I was so proud of these Glenbard kids. They came to preform their music and were very dedicated to making a successful concert. I think they were significantly awed by the agelessness of this historical building and were impressed that they got a chance to preform here.
Mr Ortega and the Glenbard Orchestra. Marvelous stringed sounds
Jon and the Glenbard Concert Band. Magnificent sounds echo for a variety of musical pieces including Hands Across the Ocean and of course, Stars and Stripes Forever.
The choir will have their own concert tomorrow at Kylemara Abbey. A few Galway residents attended. Concert over at 9:00pm and then a trek back to where the buses can pick us up.
No comments:
Post a Comment