Warbling in Westport and Gadding About Galway

We left you last night just as we were about to head into town to listen to some traditional Irish music. We had a two course dinner. Brendan found a pizza place that was actually open and smelled good. So the first course was Brendan's pizza and then we walked all over town looking for the bar owned by a member of the Chieftan's. Turned out they didn't have any music that night so we did a complete circle and ended up having the second course of our dinner and listening to music at the pub right next to the pizza place. 

We had the pleasure of listening to Kevin Collins (or at least we think that was who it was, there were several names written down and a day later we can't quite remember). Anyway, he was a very talented performer and we enjoyed both his music and his jokes.

Today was another travel day. But before heading south to Galway, we stopped by Marlene's Chocolate Haven--as we heard it was superb. Across the street was the Westport Country Market where we found a selection of fresh produce in addition to a woman spinning yarn and another chiseling stones.
 

Then we were on the road again--and what a windy, bumpy, dippy road it was, ugh! I don't know what they're thinking setting the speed limit to 100km/h (62mph) on those roads! Giant trucks would go by on these lanes with no shoulder and we would all hold our breath. It still isn't easy to gauge the distance between shoulder and median. Brendan and I were feeling pretty ill towards the end of that trip. However, it was pretty cool seeing all these random stone, castle-looking remnants just off the side of the road, but it was hard to get a good picture, they came and went so fast!

Well, one way or another we made it all in one piece and breakfast still in our stomach. Our hotel is quite the spiffy joint. It has a beautiful view of the golfing green next door and the lake off in the distance, which supposedly you can walk to but we couldn't figure that one out..

 The Pullman train also sits behind the hotel where it is currently used as a 5 star restaurant (we certainly didn't pack clothes for such a fancy place!). Before being brought to Glenlo Abbey Hotel in 1997, the  Pullman was famous for being used in the 1974 film 'Murder on the Orient Express' as well as carrying Winston Churchill's remains and funeral cortege in 1965.

Later we headed to downtown Galway where we walked around Erye Square and a few stores. The stressful drive took a lot of energy out of us so I think we will be saving the tour of the city for another day :)

Tomorrow we are headed to Inishmor Island (the biggest of the Aran islands) where we are going to rent some bikes and soak up some ocean scenery and crisp Atlantic air. Should be an eventful day with lots to write about!

To add to our list of observations:

• Most of the bartenders look like they're about 15 years old
• In general, the fruit is terrible (but the shortbread cookies are quite tasty)