Irish Fling

Our plane arrives Saturday morning, October 20 at Shannon airport. Here we pick up our rental car and head to Galway.

Galway City – This spirited town is choc-a-bloc with restaurants and pubs with (to quote my friend Stevie Fitz in Dublin) ‘good pints and more importantly, very tolerant staff’

St. Nicholas Church – The oldest in Galway (dating to 1320), it is rumored that Christopher Columbus prayed here during a 1477 visit

Spanish Arch – Built in 1584 and situated on the banks of the River Corrib, this double archway was originally an extension of the city walls designed to protect the quays. There is actually nothing supporting the ‘Spanish’ claim and today it houses a city museum

The Arts – Known as the unofficial arts and music capital of the country, Galway is home to an arts centre and a dynamic summer arts festival

Galway Races – Also held each summer these famous horse races are a great time

Galway Cathedral – Built in the 1960s, the neo-Romanesque church offers beautiful stained glass, mosaics and Connemara marble floors

a great variety of food available, from artichoke hearts to crepes to stuffed olives. Galwegians come to the market to chat as well as to shop and it's a great place to hear local issues discussed. Although the market is open all year round, it's particularly lively in the summer

as a lookout post, from which the advance of unwanted buccaneers could be spotted. The "Spanish Arch" actually consists of two arches.The front of the Arch is part of the historic Fishmarket area, where Claddagh women would traditionally sell freshly caught fish

Constructed in the first years of the 13th century, this castle was built by the command of the English King John, who had newly conquered the city of Limerick. Much of the original structure still exists today, and is open to the public for touring. A series of informative displays explain the history behind the castle, and it is also possible to climb the towers and walk along the battlements for impressive, sweeping views of the city. Also recommended by visitors is an authentic archaeological excavation of pre-Norman households currently going on at the site. The houses were discovered during a recent restoration of the castle. The castle is open every day except Good Friday and December 24-26. Hours depend upon the season, with the castle closing at 4:30pm in the winter and 5:30 pm in the summer.

The Treaty Stone stands on a plinth across Thomond Bridge, on the opposite bank of the River Shannon from King John's Castle. It is a commemoration of the signing of the Treaty of Limerick in 1691. The Treaty was drafted following two sieges that took place in the city.
The Treaty was signed on this stone, subsequently known as the Treaty Stone. In the end, the Treaty of Limerick was never honoured; the Penal Laws of the 18th century, in fact, were in direct contravention of it.

Historical Guided Walking Tours of St Mary's Parish and King's Island Monday-Friday at 11 a.m /2.30p.m From St Mary's Action Centre
Walking Route Merchant's Quay
St Mary's Cathedral The Exchange
King John's Castle Treaty Stone
Bishop's Palace Dominican Priory
Sir Harry's Mall The Abbey River
Individual Tour Rates. £4.00 per person.
Family Rate:£7.50
Group Rates Over 3 people £2.50 each
"Angela's Ashes" Walking Tours
Monday-Friday at 2.30.p.m. Contact St Mary's Action Centre
Locations for the "Angela's Ashes"
Walking Tour Arthur's Quay
River Shannon Sutton's Coals
Windmill Street Redemptorist Church
Roden Street Barrack Hill;
Roden Lane Vizes Field
St Joseph's Church 4 Hartstonge Street
St Vincent De Paul Leamy's School
People's Park Carnegie Free Library
Railway Station
Naughton's Chipper,Parnell Street
The Dispensary

in the day, as the river becomes quite turbulent here before it meets the sea. The walk provides a great vantage point for viewing the eel boxes and anglers fishing on the river below the Salmon Weir Bridge. Folklore states this was the section of the river where Galvia (daughter of the mythic king Breasal) was drowned. This is the same Galvia who, legend has it, lent her name to the city

Welcome To The Arlington Hotel, Dublin
A prime city centre located hotel with an old world charm, renowned for its warmth and friendliness.
Our knightly traditional music, Irish dancing and entertainment come together to make your visit to Dublin city a memorable one.