These are a Few of my Favorite...Places!

Being new to any city creates a sense of wonder about what you will find there. What restaurants will be like home? Will I know what to order? Where is a good quiet place to do homework? All of these and more have been discovered in my time in Galway, so here is a list of my favorite places to go!

1. The Spanish Arch Pub/Hotel:

Outside the Spanish Arch

Eating a meal here is much more than just sitting down to eat, it's full of entertainment! The beautifully decorated interior is filled with shelves of books, photos of past customers and places around the country, and newspaper articles that can be read while you're waiting for food to keep you constantly finding something new to look at. Ivy covered arches cover one wall and create a more personal setting for groups dining below it. The food is a good price, and is a nice place to bring family or to go for a dinner party. Most nights have live music which will distract you from conversation, they are that good.

2. Salthill:

A sunny day looking from Salthill

What a beautiful area. Salthilll is located about ten minutes by bus outside of the city center of Galway, and is well worth the travel. There is so many things to do, but some of my favorite are simply walking along the beach and going to the diving board! This is no ordinary diving board, but one that goes straight into the ocean! You will have to find it on a rare sunny day, otherwise that splash will be a wee bit chilly. One thing I'm looking forward to still is the aquarium!

3. Cupan Tae:

Exterior of Cupan Tae

This hidden gem, across the street from Galway bay, is one of my favorite places to stop in when I need to unwind. Cupan Tae is a lovely place to pop in for a quick spot of tea, or to sit and enjoy a few treats from the bakery. The decoration of the shop makes you feel like you could sit there for hours and admire the weather, rain or shine. With many choices of tea, there's something for everyone to enjoy. People who enter the shop are friendly and willing to sit and chat, or you can sit back and people watch while you read a book for homework. It fits a student's budget; you can get a few sandwiches, a pot of tea, and a few little treats for all under $20.

4. The Spanish Arch Monument:

The Spanish Arch Monument

For the other archaeology majors (or anyone interested in the history of Galway), visit the Spanish Arch! It is located right on the water front and has a beautiful view of Galway Bay. This historic spot has been standing since 1584, and inside the gates holds artifacts from the time period that it was originally constructed in. Walking under the archway allows a view of the remaining sections of the city wall which extends for some ways, and has a spectacular view of the waterfront. I love walking along the wall and finding out more of the history of Galway, so this is a top spot I love to go to.

Caroline Stinogel is the Fall 2014 MOJO  in Galway, Ireland. She is currently a junior at Western Washington University.