I am planning my first trip to Ireland. I am torn whether to stay in Galway or fly into the Shannon airport and stay in one of the surrounding cities-Ennis,etc.
Could anyone give me their recommendations? I like the idea of a smaller village so I am not sure if Galway would be too big of a city. I'm not getting the direction I need through my travel books and need some first hand observers opinions. Thank you Jenni

Hi Jenni, I was in Galway last year for Race Week. It was my first time staying there and I would thoroughly recommend it.

I haven't stayed in Ennis so can't comment.

Had a car so did a lot of touring while I was there -- Connemara, the Burren, Cliffs of Moher. It's a beautiful area with lots to see both north and south of Galway. Have fun!

You don't give enough information about what you like to do. Both Galway and Clare have some smaller villages that would make a good base.

Your goals are not mutually exclusive: If I were going to Galway I would fly into Shannon & take BusEireann from there. Service to Ennis & Galway is pretty ftequent.
You might want to factor in what's happening when you're there, like Ennis' Fleadh Nua the last week of May or the Willie Clancy memorial music & dance fest around early July in Miltown Malbay

You could daytrip to Galway from Ennis (or v.v.). We did that to go shopping.

I've stayed in both places and it's a 'tossup.' Galway is a bigger City with lots of B&B's on College Rd., a Beach (Salthill) and a hub for BusEireann. During Summer, Bus Eireann runs daytrips to the Cliffs of Moher and several others.

BTW, Ennis isn't a small village. It is a decent sized town - a small village would be something like Ballyvaughn Ennis is a great base for exploring County Clare - we stayed there 4 nights when we went 2 years ago.

Thank you for your help!

I neglected to mention that you can ferry to the Aran Islands from Doolin (Co. Clare) or Galway. The latter requires a trip to RossaVeal (about 30km west of Galway City) to get the Ferry. There are many Tour Operators in Galway City (close to Eyre Sq.) that do that route.

If you are driving, no problem with parking at the Ferry Dock in Ross'aVeal.