We will be in Ireland for 12 days in early July. want to visit Galway, but have been reading posts, stating that it is very busy and suggest Westport. However that looks a fair way from Galway taking into account reports of roads. We want to expereinec the feel of music etc at night ( but not night owls!!!). What does Westport have to offer? What are travel times to Galway. We were looking at 2nt Galway.

Sorry 'bout the spelling!!!

I've not been to Westport, but I hear nice things about it. It is a very popular destination. As for distance, it is probably less than a 2 hour drive from Galway. I've been to Galway - it was nice. But that being said, I think I'd go to Westport if I were given the choice.

There certainly is music at night in Westport; Matt Molloy's is located there, and I'm sure many other pubs with live music.

We were in both towns last August. I would say the music was equally good both places. Westport, being much smaller might be better if you don't like the bigger city (College town) feel of Galway. Westport is our 2nd favorite town in Ireland besides Kenmare. If you are not a nite owl, trad music in most pubs won't be attractive to you. In most pubs it is advertised to start at 9PM but most often was closer to 9:30. Galway does have 1 or 2 pubs that offer an earlier trad music session at around 6 or 6:30PM, so that may sway your decision on which place to choose. Dan

July in Westport will still be busy, but nothing like the crowds in Galway. It is a 1.5 hours trip if you take the direct route: N6 - N84 - N59 or about 2 hours if you go the N59 through Connemara.

We had terrible rains here in the fall and the pot holes in some of the towns in Galway (via the direct route)are terrible.

jaja thanks for that

rvflyer: when I say we're not nite owls I was thinking of midnight onwards. We are going to stay in Kenmare

gablus: What route would you suggst we take whilst travelling thru Galway?

We stayed outside of Galway at Salthill. It’s quite at night and just minutes from Galway.
If your time permits drive through Connemara on your way to Westport - well worth extra time.

Travfirst: will check out salthill, like th idea of quiet at night when traying to get good night's sleep!!!

ski, I would recommend the N59 through Connemara, if you traveling during the day.

Great info----travfirst, Where did you stay in Salthill?

What is Westport like in the beginning of September?

tpayt, we stayed at Marless House Phone + 353 91 523931
www.marlesshouse.com.
My B&B report:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ood-report.cfm

More info about Westport please.

MDH's relatives are from County Mayo and he is intereted in this area. We're now thinking 1 night in Ennis(easy after flying) then on to Westport for 2 or 3 nights before heading south. Skipping Galway altogether(we only have so much time).

travfirst----Kilrush, Hillcrest View looks interesting for a stop on our way south.

This trip takes so much research, but we WILL figure it out eventually with all of your help.

Things are still busy enough in Westport in September..starts to slow a bit at the end of the month.

Enjoy your visit!

Thanks to everyone for you help. We have finally worked out that we will stay in Kilkenny, Kinsale, Kenmare, then Dingle before heading onto Kilkee and we will now stay at Salthill. So looking forward to our trip. Hope the weather is kind to us in July. It is beginning to get cooler(18 C) here after a magnificent indian summer.