A Tour of Galway

 Our first stop was the large Cathedral that I pass every day on the way to school. The choir practice really added to the experience.

 Galway has many canals that were previously used to provide energy for the many mills and distillery businesses.

 This parish is one of the largest single parishes in Ireland. The Gargoyles shown below allow water to run off of the roof.

Cristopher and Dave were able to join the group for a walking tour of Galway. Our leader is an activist. At 75, he works to try and preserve the historic buildings and landmarks in Galway. An archeologist, historian and writer he is still mad about the railroad coming to town at the turn of the century. The train brought trade to Galway and the dreaded shops. Old stone work was covered with plaster and currently he is dismayed at the rows and rows of glass windows that display the shop merchandise. We walked to many historic buildings and heard about the fishing economy that saved this village when others were being taken over by invaders. When the Norwegians came to town, there was no town just a bunch of independent houses with men who went off to sea and brought back fish for their families and the invaders. No sense in killing the people who were feeding you.

The tour lasted 2 and half hours. Cristopher and Dave returned home after an hour.