Claddagh beauty at low tide...

The Quays, Carroll's, and O'Connor's Pub are among the many bars and pubs that are stocking-up the weekend before one of the biggest drinking weeks of the year!  

There's nothing like warm summer nights on the Claddagh... not too cool, not too hot... just right. 

A favourite photo opportunity of tourists, in Eyre Square...

Even though I'm in Scotland for a few days, I'm piecing-together the Castle Page.  I'll have substantial content on it by the middle of next week.  Thanks for your patience.  Enjoy! :)

Even though many locals have never heard of this place, it was still a lovely day for a bike ride to Merlin Park (near Ballybane), to see Merlin Castle.

This is my favourite version of Monopoly, for obvious reasons.  The board and cards are also written in Irish, which makes it more fun (if you know the language).  I bought mine on Amazon, a few years ago,  but I've only seen it available, now, on Google Shopping.  If you can find a copy, pick-it-up as quickly as possible because they will soon be gone!

If you'd like to go to a beautiful island, Inishbofin is a great choice.  You can drive to Cleggan and catch the ferry at 11:30AM, or take the 8:30 Citylink coach from Galway.   On the way up, the scenery in Connemara is lovely, and so are the sights from the ferry (about 40 minutes).  The pyramid-shaped mountain in pic #3 is Croagh Patrick.
As the ferry nears the dock, you can see the ruins of Cromwell's Barracks (originally built in the 1600's) on the right.  There, Catholic parishioners were imprisoned, then shipped to the Indies and other places.
There are around 140 inhabitants on the island, and it does have a few small hotels with restaurants and bars, as well as Airbnbs and Bed and Breakast locations.  The Island is a grand place to get some hiking or bicycling in.  There are loads of roads and trails, and a couple of places to rent bikes.
I went for a day trip, but I know many people who have stayed for days or weeks... well worth it!