Cows blocking the bus, a bike accident, and new friends were just some of the highlights of my impromptu trip to Galway, Killarney, and Ennis.
After walking the 3.4 kilometers to the Lisdoonvarna bus station, I was on my way to Galway. The only thing blocking my arrival were these two cows walking down the winding road that my bus couldn’t get enough room to pass.
Roads in Ireland seem narrow enough in a normal car. In a bus you feel like you’re on a one way road (at least, until a car comes from the opposite direction and tries to squeeze past you- then you thank god you’re in the bus, not the car).
In Galway, I walked out of the bus station towards Eyre Square. A couple hundred feet away was a sign for Galway City Hostel. With no preexisting reservation at any hostel, I walked in and asked how much a room would be. For 18 euros, I got a bed in a six person, female only room.
Now starts the list of lessons learned.
#1 Bring a lock for your stuff
#2 Bring a towel, or else you have to pay to borrow one
After dropping my stuff in the hostel, I walked around the city a bit. Turns out:
#3 Tourist information offices are awesome: they give maps, area guides, and the employees whole job is to answer any questions you have
I stopped for pancakes in a cafe, before making my way to Galway Museum (free, but doesn’t take more than 1/2 hour to get through); the Spanish Arch (spent an hour trying to find it because I didn’t realize it was the underwhelming arch I had passed through about ten times in my search); and St. Nicholas’ Collegiate Church. I also found a place called Sheridan’s Cheesemongers. While I didn’t buy anything, I did accidentally knock over a bunch of stuff. Luckily, people in Ireland are very friendly.
I also made the poor decision to buy four books at the first bookstore I saw. Three days later, in Ennis, I passed the same chain bookstore and realized my mistake in adding that extra load to my bag so early.
Back in my room at the hostel, I met two girls Lauren and Ashley, who were exploring Ireland for a few days before going to a entrepreneurship conference for their master’s program. They invited me to walk to Salthill with them, and I ended up spending the rest of the day with them and joining them in Killarney as well.
#4 Exploring, going out to eat, hanging out in pubs, etc. are all much more fun with other people
#5 A “guys wallet” (which I have) is both embarrassing to pull out when you pay for drinks in pubs and impractical due to the amount of coins they use in Europe
The next morning, we enjoyed our free breakfast in the hostel (pancakes!).
Afterwards, we took the bus to Killarney. Well, first a bus to Limerick, where we had lunch, and then to Killarney. We got in around five. Ashley and Lauren had already booked beds at Neptune’s Hostel. Luckily, they not only had an extra bed, but also upgraded us to a three person room for no additional charge.
We had an early night, but I did watch my first ever rugby match. That sport is awesome, hilarious, and horrifying. Especially since I don’t really understand the rules.
Saturday was definitely my favorite day. We got up early and hiked in Killarney National Park.
After paninis for lunch, we rented bikes and headed to Muckross House and Torc Waterfall.
The only blip in the day was me wiping out on my bike in a very busy road. Good thing the bike rental company made us wear helmets.
At four, it was time for me to head to Ennis. I wish I could’ve gone with them to Cork, but that was getting a little too far from Lisdoonvarna.
#6 Don’t buy a return ticket because you never know how your plans will change.
I bought a return ticket from Galway because it was cheaper than two single tickets and I thought I was coming back that way. Whoops.
#7 Ennis is really only a useful stop if you have a car. It’s near a lot..if you can drive.
#8 Nothing in Ireland happens on a Sunday morning before 11:30. Just sleep in so you don’t waste hours trying to find an open cafe to hang out in.
Other stops left on my Ireland bucket list are Cork, Aran Islands, and Dublin.
A Year of the New 