Till Mueller
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Compress Donegal 3→2 days (skip Malin Head), Connemara 3→2 days (skip Inishbofin), Kerry 3→2 days (Dingle + Skellig/Ring of Kerry). Cork Aug 27-28, drive to Dublin eve Aug 28, buffer day Aug 29, game Aug 30. Update all section file date headers and Kerry itinerary.
3.4 KiB
Galway
Type: WAW Section 5 of 7 Dates: ~Aug 21–22 (2 days) Recommended stay: 2 days Best for: Best city on the WAW, Aran Islands, traditional music, workation base
Why Visit
Galway is Ireland's most vibrant city outside Dublin — a university town with a permanent festival energy, the gateway to the Aran Islands, and the best place on the entire Wild Atlantic Way to spend a proper work day. It's also where the Wild Atlantic Way briefly becomes urban before the route drops south into Clare.
Must-See
- ⭐ Latin Quarter — The medieval heart of Galway: Shop Street, Quay Street, Kirwan's Lane. Tigh Neachtain at the corner of Cross Street is the traditional music epicentre — session most nights. Buskers fill the streets in August.
- ⭐ Aran Islands (Inis Mór) — Day trip or overnight from Rossaveal (40 min ferry; Rossaveal is 37km west of Galway). Inis Mór is the largest island: Dún Aonghasa is an Iron Age fort perching directly on the edge of a 100m Atlantic cliff — one of the most dramatic ancient sites in Europe. Rent a bike at the pier for the day — the island roads are nearly car-free and flat enough for anyone.
- Salthill Promenade — 2km seafront walk; kick the wall at the end (a Galway tradition taken seriously by locals). Blackrock diving tower for the brave.
- Spanish Arch — Medieval arch at the mouth of the River Corrib; good spot to sit and watch the city.
- Food: Galway punches well above its size — Ard Bia at Nimmos (riverside, excellent), Cava Bodega (Spanish tapas), Dela (café/brunch).
Itinerary
Day 1 — Aran Islands day trip
Early start: drive to Rossaveal (45 min), ferry to Inis Mór (40 min). Hire a bike at the pier. Cycle to Dún Aonghasa (8km), the Seven Churches, and back. Ferry returns late afternoon. Evening in Galway Latin Quarter.
Day 2 — City day / work day
Morning: slow walk of the Latin Quarter, Spanish Arch, covered English Market. Afternoon: work from a café (Coffeewerk + Press on Kirwan's Lane is the best in the city), or Salthill Promenade walk. Evening: traditional music session — Tigh Neachtain, Taaffes, or the Crane Bar (the most serious trad pub, slightly outside the tourist zone).
EV Charging
Situation: Best charging on the WAW. Full recharge stop.
- Galway Retail Park (Headford Road) — Tesla Supercharger; fastest option
- Eyre Square area — ESB ecars rapid chargers in city centre car parks
- Salthill — ESB charger near the promenade
- Rossaveal — Check current availability before the Aran Islands ferry; limited options out there
Treat Galway as a full recharge. You arrive from the Connemara gap and leave for Clare where availability is more variable.
Practical Info
- Workation: Best stop on the WAW for remote work. Coffeewerk + Press (Kirwan's Lane) is the standout café. Multiple coworking spaces if you need a full desk setup. Plan your heaviest meeting days here.
- Aran Islands ferry: Book at aranislandferries.com or oileain-arann.ie. August is busy — book a day ahead at minimum.
- Accommodation: Book well ahead in August; Galway fills up fast.
- Currency: Euro