Top spots to soak up the sun

#10 Eyre Square
# 9 Sitting outside McCambridge's on Shop St.  
# 8 The Long Walk
# 7 Sitting outside Born Cafe on the River
# 6 Outside the Townhouse Bar
# 5 Salthill
# 4 On Quay St. outside Neachtain's
# 3 Along the canal
# 2 O'Connell's Beer Garden 
# 1 The Spanish Arch

Truly Artisan

Discovering new places to eat with an interesting menu and reasonable pricing can be a struggle, especially when variety is not the pressing issue, taste and value is. This is particularly true of Galway, where restaurants are abundant. Be it Spanish, Italian, Chinese, Mexican, Asian, Indian, French- our collective cuisine preferences are adequately catered to. Too often it happens however, that a high rated restaurant with a promising menu only goes half way. It's not good enough that a dish contains chillis, I want to be able to taste those chillis. You know?

On the quest for such a spoiling, a small group of us booked a table at Artisan restaurant last Thursday. Over-looking busy Quay St., Artisan is a quaint perch to people watch, poised above Tig Neachtain. We decided to go for the three course early bird menu. To kick start things, we were served a tasty little amuse-bouche with a selection of homemade breads. Following this, I chose the French style charcuterie plate for a starter, with cured meats, olives, pate and thin slices crispy baguette which I savored with a glass of a rich French red. My entrée was baked trout, with baby potatoes. The delicious tangy salsa and roast parsnip accompaniments really made the dish, after which I polished off an indulgent selection plate for dessert.  Upon recommendation, we went with a bottle of Syrah from the extensive wine menu, a nice and light red wine from the Rhone Valley in France.

The overall experience was hard to fault, the service was very friendly and we were well looked after. The interior is elegant and classy, the silver napkin rings were a nice touch! For you foodies- Artisan specialises in locally sourced farmhouse produce, serving good sized portions of fish and meat dishes with exciting ingredient combinations like brie, roasted pecans and cranberry. For you romancers- the narrow, low lit layout provides an intimate dining setting. For you penny-pinchn' fast food junkies- go somewhere else! 

Evening meals are served daily from 6-10pm Mon-Sun, the early bird option is served from 6-7pm, a bargain for €25. Booking is advised 091 532655

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**Artisan was awarded 'Best restaurant in Galway' at the recent Irish Restaurant Awards last Tuesday, March 20th 2012! **

I Shop Galway Stores

Zhivago, Shop St., Galway

The 'Iconic Cotton Shoppers' are now being stocked in a number of Galway stores including Judy Greene's, Public Romance, Zhivago's, Galway Woolen Market, Faller's Sweater Shop and Treasure Chest (from tomorrow, March 22nd), and as always, from right here!

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Where's wall-y?

The first of Galway's town walls were constructed in the 13th century, under the command of Richard De Burgo. By the early 15th century, most of the city was enclosed within the 16 foot high limestone enclosure, and Galway became a fortified town. The total area within the walls was 25 acres and there were four gate-houses or entrances and at least seven substantial towers positioned at strategic points.

In 1505 a deep ditch or fosse was dug around the walls on the east side into which a branch of the river Corrib was turned, for further protection from attacks.

By the mid 18th century the wall had fallen into decay, however today there are still some surviving stretches to be found at the Spanish Arch, The Eyre Square Centre, inside the Edward's Square clothes shop A-Wear, and at the rear of Dunnes Stores, Eyre Square, next to the socks. 

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Monkeying around

The heavily carved façade of Lynch's Castle bears the Lynch and Fitzgerald families' coat of arms.

 If you look closely just below this, you may notice the figure of a monkey holding a baby.

This pays tribute to the pet primate who rescued a toddler from the burning building.

Lacking in any official record, this story makes me wonder whether this a heroic tale of a leaping Tarzan, or the original King Kong. 

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Inmates as Housemates

The temperamental sky showed off it's versatile side today, alternating between a moody sulk and a spring haze. Here are two structures associated with the Fourteen Merchant Tribes' Townhouses. 

 The Brown Townhouse Doorway, Eyre Square

This is Browne's Doorway, a 16th century townhouse entrance, bearing the coats of arms of both the Browne and Lynch families. Salvaged from the Browne's collapsed mansion house on Abbeygate Street, it was moved here in 1627 by the Galway Archelogical and Historical Society.


Inscribed on a stone panel up above the arched entrance, are the words:


"Part of the house built in the year of our Lord 1627 for Martin Browne, merchant, was removed form ruins in Lower Abbeygate Street and was erected here in 1905, to witness the architectural character of the great houses that were built in the days of Galway's civic opulence".


Prone to vandalism- like every phone box and public toilet in the vicinity, a protective glass barrier keeps the doorway from harm, yet sadly hinders photo opportunities.

 Blake's Tower, Quay Street

This was originally the Blake family's Townhouse. Simultaneously it also served as the county jail, from 1586 to 1810, until the inmates were relocated to a new custom built clink.

It is believed that Walter Lynch was held prisoner here, prior to his execution. 

Today, it houses the undoubtedly delicious KC Blakes restaurant, with criminal prices. Is this history repeating itself? 

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