First of all thanks to all you people who gave some info to me, it was certainly very useful. Thanks again to all...
So, I travelled via a cheap flight from Stanstead to Knock (4p return for me and a seat for the banjo, no taxes either). Took the bus to Charlestown about 10mins and £2 and then the Sligo-Galway bus at about £10 and takes about 1 3/4 hours.
From info I got, I chose to stay in the Sleepzone hostel just off Eyre Square. It's a great hostel with pretty comfortable rooms and a great kitchen for the guests and a small lounge and tv room. The showers etc where also very good and above all the place was spotless. The staff are all pretty young and very friendly and helpful.I stayed for seven nights which cost £81 in a 10 bed dorm. Sometimes a bit noisy late at night but what the hell we were all out and enjoying ourselves anyway. All in all a great place to stay and close to the action.
Can well recommend the place. Book up online in advance, as it gets pretty full at the weekend.
As for the Craic, for me it was fantastic, every night sessions of some sort going on, with many great musicians. Visited Taaffes Pub, Tig Coili, The Crane, The Western Hotel, Richardsons. All of them had sessions and some two a night. Particularly for me as a banjo player for one year, Dusty Banjos in Richardsons http://www.dustybanjos.com/index.htm
on the Wednesday and Thursday run by Mary was great. It provided a venue for a beginner to get involve in a real friendly atmosphere with other newbies. Great stuff Mary and thanks.
Here's the links to those pubs for anyone interested :
As for travelling with the banjo, although I had reserved a seat for it, (at those prices why not) Ryanair were great and even said I didn't need to book a seat as it was in a soft case. This was exactly the same response I got from them when I flew to Salzburg last November.
So all in all a wonderful week in a wonderful place, meeting some great people and exceptional musicians. It certainly will not be my last visit. (but I do need some time to recuperate, just not used to seven very late nights in a row and some very tasty Guinness!)
Hope this info is of use to someone, and thanks again.
Good city. Went there alot in the past. My latest visit was very dissapointing as alot of my favourite musicians no longer play there! Still nice though
Sounds like a great trip! I love Galway, and will be making my third trip there at the end of this month. I, too am at the one-year mark of playing my instrument and wasn't planning on bringing it with me, but your experience makes me think of reconsidering that- sounds like a blast. Thanks for the follow up on the results of your trip. I can't wait to go! Pat
Just back from Galway...first trip
Just back from Galway...first trip
Thought I'd just give a few bits of info re my first trip to ireland and Galway, which I asked for info in a thread a while ago.
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/15751
it may be useful for others on their first trip. (Have just checked the length of this, I hope it's not too long!)
First of all thanks to all you people who gave some info to me, it was certainly very useful. Thanks again to all...
So, I travelled via a cheap flight from Stanstead to Knock (4p return for me and a seat for the banjo, no taxes either). Took the bus to Charlestown about 10mins and £2 and then the Sligo-Galway bus at about £10 and takes about 1 3/4 hours.
From info I got, I chose to stay in the Sleepzone hostel just off Eyre Square. It's a great hostel with pretty comfortable rooms and a great kitchen for the guests and a small lounge and tv room. The showers etc where also very good and above all the place was spotless. The staff are all pretty young and very friendly and helpful.I stayed for seven nights which cost £81 in a 10 bed dorm. Sometimes a bit noisy late at night but what the hell we were all out and enjoying ourselves anyway. All in all a great place to stay and close to the action.
http://www.sleepzone.ie/sleepzonegc.html
Can well recommend the place. Book up online in advance, as it gets pretty full at the weekend.
As for the Craic, for me it was fantastic, every night sessions of some sort going on, with many great musicians. Visited Taaffes Pub, Tig Coili, The Crane, The Western Hotel, Richardsons. All of them had sessions and some two a night. Particularly for me as a banjo player for one year, Dusty Banjos in Richardsons
http://www.dustybanjos.com/index.htm
on the Wednesday and Thursday run by Mary was great. It provided a venue for a beginner to get involve in a real friendly atmosphere with other newbies. Great stuff Mary and thanks.
Here's the links to those pubs for anyone interested :
http://galwaycitypubguide.com/top-ten-galway-pubs/tig-coili.html
http://galwaycitypubguide.com/pubs/traditional-music-pubs/richardsons.html
http://galwaycitypubguide.com/traditional-music-pubs/taaffes.html
http://www.thecranebar.com/
http://www.thewestern.ie/bar.htm
As for travelling with the banjo, although I had reserved a seat for it, (at those prices why not) Ryanair were great and even said I didn't need to book a seat as it was in a soft case. This was exactly the same response I got from them when I flew to Salzburg last November.
So all in all a wonderful week in a wonderful place, meeting some great people and exceptional musicians. It certainly will not be my last visit. (but I do need some time to recuperate, just not used to seven very late nights in a row and some very tasty Guinness!)
Hope this info is of use to someone, and thanks again.
# Posted on February 1st 2008 by tctelboy
Re: Just back from Galway...first trip
Well done tctelboy (how do you pronounce that?
) Next trip South London then?
# Posted on February 1st 2008 by Key Maniac Lad
Re: Just back from Galway...first trip
Good city. Went there alot in the past. My latest visit was very dissapointing as alot of my favourite musicians no longer play there! Still nice though
# Posted on February 1st 2008 by eurbanjo
Re: Just back from Galway...first trip
Sounds like a great trip! I love Galway, and will be making my third trip there at the end of this month. I, too am at the one-year mark of playing my instrument and wasn't planning on bringing it with me, but your experience makes me think of reconsidering that- sounds like a blast. Thanks for the follow up on the results of your trip. I can't wait to go! Pat
# Posted on February 1st 2008 by PatrickJWK