Interested in impressions of Galway as a place to spend time on a short (all too short) Ireland trip.
IN Rick's book, he makes Galway sound OK but not particularly special. For example, it's described as "the most easily accessible slice of Ireland's west coast." OK, but I'll be spending almost all my time on Ireland's west coast (about a week). He says it lacks sights, but makes up for that in ambiance: medieval streets, music, pubs, etc. But I'll be headed for Dingle and the southwest, so I'm guessing the ambiance and music will be better there.
We fly into Dublin, and plan to head straight to Galway (since its the most logical jumping off point for us on the west coast). From Galway I plan to go to the Aran Islands before heading south towards Dingle and beyond.
My first plan has been to land in Dublin, train or bus to Galway, arriving there late afternoon on our arrival day, walk around, spend the night. I was planning to spend all of the following day and another night in Galway, as we recover from jetlag and get our legs under us. After that, get up early morning on our second full day, and head to Inishmore, arriving there early (around 9 am). We would spend the whole day and night on Inishmore, sleeping there, get up very early the next morning for some photos before the day-trippers arrive, then depart back to the mainland late morning.
Now I'm wondering if I might be budgeting a wee bit too much time in Galway. Here's an alternative I'm now considering...
Same beginning: Land in Dublin, train or bus to Galway, arriving there late afternoon on our arrival day, walk around, spend the night. But get up the next day, check out of our B&B and just spend a few hours walking Galway's old center, then early afternoon head to Inishmore; we would spend the afternoon and night on Inishmore, spend all of the next day there too (2 nights, one full day plus a few hours on arrival and departure days). That way, we would essentially trade half a day and a night in Galway, for that same half a day and night on Inishmore. Daparture plan from Inishmore would be the same.
From what I'm reading in the book - and some opinions from visitors who were not entirely wowed by Galway - I'm thinking that on our too-short trip, I might rather have a little more time on Inishmore and would be willing to give up our second afternoon in Galway to get it.
We will have 3 nights in Dingle plus a full day in Dingle town plus one day going around the Dingle Peninsula, so I'm thinking I can get by with a bit less of Galway.
What did you think of Galway? If you already were planning one night in Galway and one night in Inishmore, and you had a third night to spend in either, where would you spend it?
Thanks.