What a fantastic weekend it’s been. Just tucking into bed for the night at Mary’s, we will get up and head back to Shanagarry early tomorrow morning. Yesterday evening we headed into the city for a pint at Tigh Neachtain (a very traditional Irish pub, first Irish music I’ve heard!), before heading off to Ard Bia for a fun filled foodie night. The restaurant is on the river, and through the foggy windows you could see the river rolling, we were on the second floor so it felt almost as though we were on a boat. We started the night with a blood orange cocktail (yum!), and a few different canapés, very informal to start, but in the best way. We then took our seats at along table with several other people. To our left we had a family of five that was just out for the evening, and to our right nine dermatologists from all over Ireland and The UK, here on a conference. We had seven courses once we sat down, and loads of wine. The event was fantastic, the restaurant was decorated so simply, but it worked so well. We headed down after dinner for one more glass, and then it was time for bed.
Lazy morning today, managed to get some school work done, and finished a movie that I’ve been watching for the past week and a half. Richard and Mary made me brunch, which was darn tasty. The sun was shining, and the view from their house is incredible. We wanted to go to a foodie talk this afternoon, but there was a match on, so the traffic was horrendous, we got into the city too late, and ended up going for a pint, exploring a bit more of the city, and grabbing a few bits and pieces. We came back to the house and had a little nibble of chorizo, salami, cheese, hummus, and a glass of wine (I promise I do more than drink, as my mum said tonight, The Irish must be rubbing off on me.) Richard then took us on an adventure, we had such a lovely evening. He took me to a house that is under construction, by the same builder that they built with. It is such a different way of building than at home, and the price of land and construction is so low in comparison. Insane! He took us to a little village called Kinvarra where Dunguarie Castle is, we had a little walk around the village and the castle, stunning views. We then drove to The Flaggy Shore and walked along for a little bit, again, so beautiful, you can see Galway city across the water, and like in West Cork the terrain was very different from anything else I’ve seen in Ireland. We had dinner at Richard’s sister’s restaurant Linnanes Lobster Bar in New Quay, delicious seafood, great company, and of course… Wine! It was such a great day, and I am so happy that I was able to see more of Ireland this weekend, thanks to Mary and Richard. They have been so welcoming, and it has been so much fun, I just might have to come back to this part of the country soon! Galway City is so different than Cork City, and actually much more of what I expected Irish cities to be like, if that makes any sense at all.
Right, better get to bed, looking so forward to getting into the kitchen tomorrow morning, cannot believe it’s Week Ten.
“Would you like some more Mary?” – Sue, one of the ladies who was sitting beside us at dinner last night
“I’m delicious thank you.” – Mary
“I know you’re delicious my dear, but would you like some more…? – Sue