Kate Stein Week 3: Escapades on the West Coast

This past weekend I had an amazing time travelling on the West Coast of Ireland. This adventure was very eventful and interesting, and I especially enjoyed exploring Galway. I appreciated both the scheduled events and wandering around during free time. After arriving at the hostel, my roommates and I set out to explore the town and grab dinner. A few of us opted for pizza, while a couple others tried something new to me — “a spice bag,” which I had never heard of before. Later that evening, we visited a few pubs and enjoyed the local nightlife.

The Cliffs of Moher were breathtaking. After taking in the stunning views, we spent some time browsing the nearby gift shops. That evening, my roommates and I had dinner at Elephant and Castle, where I ordered cod and chips— it was delicious. We ended the night by walking around the town and going out once more.

The following day, we took a trip to the Aran Islands, which were incredibly scenic. We went on a bus tour that included several stops, including a beautiful beach with water of a lighter color due to the reflection of the pale sand. Along the way, the driver pointed out many aesthetically pleasing houses.

We even saw goats and had the chance to pet them, which was a fun and unexpected highlight. There were also a couple of food trucks near the ferry area, and we spent some time relaxing at a local bar and visiting gift shops, including the famous Aran Sweater Market.

Our visit to Kylemore Abbey was another highlight, even though the weather was cold and rainy. As we wandered around Kylemore Abbey, we explored the inside of the abbey and admired its beautiful architecture. We also visited an old church, though part of it was under construction. We had lunch at the Kylemore Cafe, where I enjoyed a ham and cheese quiche with mashed potatoes. The shuttle took us to the gardens, since we didn’t want to walk there because it was raining. It was fascinating to see not only the gardens themselves but also the historical homes of the gardeners who tended them. Before leaving, we stopped by the tea house to look inside and relax for a bit.

The rest of the trip flew by. I also tried Supermacs for the first time– it was good, though I still prefer McDonald’s.

The next day, we walked around central Dublin, stopping by Penneys and visiting Dublin Castle and the Custom House.

Overall, my time here recently has been filled with great experiences, beautiful sights, and good food. I have enjoyed every part of it!