After our tour of the Dingle Peninsula, we moved on to less dramatic sights. We had a short stop in Adare and then drove on to Galway (mostly divided highway) where we are for two nights. Friday was the first really rain day we have experienced on this trip. It was hard rain some of the time and also cold (high 50’s) and windy. When there was a break and it became just drizzly, we took a walk. One of the natives told us that this type of heavy rain was atypical for Ireland in June.
ADARE
Adare is a village in County Limerick and considered by some to be the prettiest town in Ireland. Its history dates back to 1200, and it is a government designated Heritage Town. What strikes a visitor immediately are the thatched cottages and shops along the main drag.
There is also this historic church, portions of which date from the 13th century, and on the edge of town the remains of Desmond Castle. The town is located on the banks of the River Miague and has a lovely small park.
Based on the heavy traffic on a Friday afternoon, it is popular with tourists. In 2027, this area will be the site of the Ryder Cup, a golf tournament between Europe and the United States held every two years.
ON TO GALWAY
The drive to Galway was rainy, and it remained cold, breezy, and mostly rainy the remainder of the day and evening. Once in the city, finding our hotel was a bit challenging due to the small winding streets with tight turns. But we are now nicely located in The Hardiman overlooking Eyre Square, the city’s main green. The official name of this square is the John F. Kennedy Memorial Park in honor of his visit here in 1963.
Braving the elements, we took the a first look-see in this neighborhood and then later, we walked to dinner at cozy Oscar’s Seafood Bistro. Many of the nearby streets are pedestrian only and despite the weather, lots of folks were out and about.
We deliberately made an early dinner booking and were glad as the restaurant quickly filled up. Their menu was seafood and fish as stated, but the preparations were slightly different and somewhat more sophisticated. I had some tasty smoked codfish cakes on a yogurt sauce with pumpkin seeds to start, followed by plump and delectable scallops sitting on blue cheese potatoes with some greens and a swoosh of crab bisque. The Chief Penguin had their version of shrimp scampi on a polenta waffle and then also the scallops.
We exchanged pleasantries with a French couple at the next table. Oscar’s is friendly, casual place that’s been successfully doing business for more than 20 years.
Note: All photos ©JWFarrington (some rights reserved.). Header photo is also of Adare Park.
