Hello! I will be spending the month of July in Galway, studying at NUI. Although I must attend classes and study a good bit of the time, I would also like to travel. I will only have one full weekend though to do an extensive trip. I will not have a car, so must rely on public transportation. Given that, what would be the one place you'd recommend as a "Must" to visit over a long weekend, noting that my home base is Galway? I had wanted to see Giant's Causeway, but wonder if that's too far to go for just a weekend?

I have been fortunate enough to be able to travel in Ireland on two other occasions. During those travels I explored the Shannon, Ennis, Cork, Limerick, Killarney,Kilkenny and Cashel areas. I was also able to see the Burren area, and a small part of Connemara area on my way up to see Kylemore Abbey. (Which by the way was my favorite place of all.) I then flew out of Dublin, so had most of a day in that city. I believe that I will also have the opportunity to visit the Aran Islands as part of our class work.

Given that knowledge, what should I see, that I haven't already? I don't want to miss anything. Also, I will have evenings and at least one day free a week, do you have suggestions for quick side-trips out of Galway? Your suggestions and input would be most helpful. I just love Ireland and try to take in as much as I can each time I come back!!!

ttt

County Donegal for your long weekend?

Maybe explore more of Connemara on your one-day breaks? Connemara has bus service, check Galway to Clifden as an example. Newport is about two hours away. Did you get to Doolin when you were over before?

Not familiar with best public transport route from Galway to Giant's Causeway. It's doable, of course, but someone more expert needs to jump on with a suggested route and timing.

ttt

I think I would spend the weekend in Dublin. You have enough time to get there and back, and to spend a good amount of time there. If you're into Irish history, especially 1916, I would go see Kilmainham Goal in Dublin.

For day trips out of Galway, have you been to the Aran Islands? Doolin?

What a coincidence! I was in your shoes last summer. I went through a program called API and was able to study at NUIG for the month. It was an amazing experience to learn at the university and be a student on the campus. If you are going through API, the Dunnes store on Headford road will be your friend, and the roundabout nearby will be your enemy for walking into town.

As far as what I did last summer while studying there. Some of the other students and myself took a day trip into the Burren and another day trip into Connemara with the Galway Tour Company. I believe that was the name, stop at the tourist office or the kiosk at the top of Eyre Square. It was very reasonable and they made deals for us since we had a good sized group each time.

I also went to the kiosk and asked about some nearby towns that would be of interest to go and see. Again, a group of us took a day trip to Athenry. It was a nice getaway into a rural part of Ireland that isn't a major tourist spot.

As far as that free weekend. I spent one day going to Dublin to visit my then girlfriend. The other day a few of us went to Thurles to watch Galway take on Cork in hurling. Single handed the best sporting event I have ever been to and it got me completely hooked on the sport.

Some general comments about studying there. Last summer there were 4-5 different programs there. Some of them hung out with each other, but for the most part us API people hung out the whole time together. All of us got along great and we have had many reunions since coming back to the states. There was one at New Years for the east coasters. One of my friends flew out to visit for a weekend last spring. My two roommates and one of their girlfriends who was part of the program are meeting this summer sometime. And I'll be heading to New Jersey to meet up with one of my friends.

Our group spent a lot of time in the pubs, to be honest, it was an extremely easy course load. You will only have to write a paper for your two classes midway through and then take a final exam in each, which is run with very strict rules. You will find yourself with a lot of free time, some of the classes also have field trips too during the week.

In Galway, check out Salthill if you get the chance, within walking distance and has some fun things to see. Shop St. and Quay St. are a must 4-5 nights a week if not more. You don't have to go "out" out every night, but there is so much to do and there is always great music somewhere. The Hole in the Wall pub was our favorite hangout along with The Quays.

I can't say enough good things about my experience at NUIG. The programs have a lot planned for you and try and make you feel at home as best they can. They threw us a 4th of July party with burgers and hot dogs like we would have back home. Oh, the guy with the really long red hair that looks like he is from Braveheart is from Texas, don't be fooled by his accent.

If you have any questions about NUIG or things to do in Galway let me know.

I just saw you wanted to go to Giants Causeway on your free weekend, a buddy took that weekend to go to England for 3 nights and 2 days, so you should have adequate time to make it up there. At the end of the program there a couple days that you'll have free before you are required to get out of the housing. Two girls took the time to go to Paris for a few days. You'll have plenty of opportunities to get out and see things. My suggestion is to just go to the kiosk/tourist office like I mentioned in the above post and tell them what you're interested in and they should be able to help you find something to do.

Oh, also, go to the Macnas parade if you can. It's not your typical parade. The Galway Arts Festival will be going on while you're there so check out some of the plays/comedy shows/concerts if you get the chance. API set us up with tickets to see a play at the Druid Theatre and also see the comedian Des Bishop.

Sorry, I enjoy talking about Galway and my time there. Makes me miss it even more, thankfully I'll be back in town for a few days this summer.

Thanks JAK for all of your information. I would like to get in touch with you to ask a few more questions. I've been so busy with the end of my school year that I haven't checked this in quite some time. If you're still checking, could you send out your email?

I don't think I am participating in the exact program as you are. I don't recall anything about API. Mine is through NUI, but it's and Education in Ireland teacher's seminar.

My biggest confusion right now is trying to figure out the bus/train schedules to decide the best way to get from Galway to Belfast city to meet up with an old college roomate who is currently living there. From there, I think we will head up to Giant's Causway the next day. I would have to leave Thursday evening, after class. I'm trying to see if there's enough time to get all the way to Belfast before it gets too late into the evening. Did you have any experience with the bus/train system while there? My friend mentioned that there's some bus that is only 5 Euro or something (roundtrip) that takes you from Dublin airport to Belfast city center. I can't seem to find any info on that. I have found lots of info. about getting from Galway to Dublin however. I just need to determine the best way to proceed I guess.

Did you have to eat out every night while in Galway? What are some of your favorite places? So you went and did Dublin in just one day? Did you feel like that was enough time? Or, if you stayed over, where did you pick? I am currently looking into making housing reservations for that long weekend that I have as well.

Thanks for all of your help!