Chauffeurdriven tour of Ireland West and South West With Dave Hogan and Dovechauffeurdrive

On Friday morning my latest party arrived in Shannon, the Glenns, the Millers, the Barkmans and the Gellings, and here they are pictured, all happy to together, to begin their Irish adventure. The morning was cool, not cold, and the day today was a mixture of clouds and sunshine, but no rain.

Another picture of all of us together  just ready to board our bus. The tall handsome guy on the left, with the shoulder strap, is of course, yours truly.

I have been replaced in this picture by my driver, come guide also, Derek. He of course is the man in the white shirt. Derek gets special grant assistance from the Irish Tourist board for advertising the lovely Irish weather, hence the short shirt sleeve look. Steve, on the right, with the Irish tweed cap, is also a fine advertisement for Irish tweeds, and i am sure that before this trip is over more of the party will have followed suit. I think that Steve also availed of a grant supplement for wearing his new cap in this photo. Just make sure that when you purchase an Irish cap, you get the right size. This is extra important while in Ireland, as we drive, and walk, on the left hand side of the road, so you need to see where you are going.

After leaving Shannon behind we made our way to Galway city where my group will be staying tonight. After checking in to the hotel we did a tour of the city, and then we left them to enjoy some free time for the afternoon. Tonight they will be dining in Galway and having an early night as they they need their rest for the days ahead.

The beautiful cathedral in Galway, which was opened in 1965 by Cardinal Cushing.

Are there any skies more beautiful than Irish skies?

Here we have the famous Spanish Arch, which was one of the entrances to the once walled city of Galway.

 Galway city was an Anglo Norman town, and ruled by fourteen wealthy merchant families of mainly Norman origin. In the picture above, which i took in Eyre Square, an area which was located just outside the main gates of the city, and which was the main market area area where the city folk would buy all of their provisions from local farmers. The stone edifice in the foreground was once upon a time the main entrance door to the Browne family home in the heart of the city. This family was one of the fourteen powerful tribes, and of the Norman family, the DeBrun's. The building in the background was once upon known as the Railway Hotel, one of a number of railway hotels, which were located at many of the main end of line rail junctions. It is now the Meyrick Hotel.
Galway is a very special city with a great history, and well worth a visit.