Galway

This week John Byrne of Craic and Cultur tours joins us for a Galway Weekend. His tours enable visitors to get a taste of the whiskey, food, music and culture of Galway, and experience 'the craic' and vibrant life of the city like a local.&nbsp;
For more information on John's tours see his website www.craicandcultur.com
Are you an Apple or Android Person?
Android, can't get my head around that Apple stuff at all. 

Presuming you had a signal, what 3 apps would you use on a desert island?
Whatsapp for the chat &amp; banter with friends and family. 
Youtube for hours of random videos and maybe a useful tutorial or two.
And the most important of the lot, Spotify for the Cheesy singalong Classics &amp; Podcasts to keep me sane. 

What’s your favourite place in the city?
This is a tough one, each neighbourhood of the city has its own vibe and personality, all of which I love for different reasons and different moods. But the one place I often go to take a few moments of peace, especially during the busy season, is Steamers Quay in Woodquay. 

Any hidden gem you would recommend for visitors to Galway?
Two hidden gems, just steps from the hustle and bustle of Quay St that I love are Rúibín Bar &amp; Restaurant and Dockside Deli. Both in the Docks, I went to school with Richard of Rúibín and I'm delighted to see himself and Alice taking on their own place and doing such a great job, their food is amazing. 
And Dockside Deli by Galway Bay Seafoods is the ultimate hidden gem for visitors to the city, from the Bay to your plate, just chatting to the guys there you'll hear the passion they have for Galway Bay and their products. 

Where is your favourite place to grab a bite to eat?
We are spoilt for choice here in Galway, surrounded by amazing eateries it's hard to pick just one, but my absolute favourite would have to be Tribeton. 
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What pub would you go to:

&nbsp;For a quiet pint? The Crane, the perfect spot on an evening, with a lovely little touch of old Irish Madness. 
To watch a match? Garvey's Inn, always my favourite spot for watching a match or even for a pre/post pint on a Connacht Rugby Game Day at the Sportsground. Great hurling pub too! Nevermind that Soccerball craic. 
For tunes? Would have to be the Róisín Dubh on a Sunday Night for John Conneely &amp; Friends. Can't describe it, if you haven't experienced it just come along and enjoy.
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Any recommendations for a place to go on a first date?&nbsp;
One of the more unusual but fun dates I brought a local girl on was an Open Top Bus Tour of the city, the next date I found out she's a non-drinker as I brought her to a Whiskey &amp; Food pairing event in An Púcán and proceeded to drink my whiskey &amp; hers, but it must have worked, 4 years later we're living together!
So my recommendation would be just to pick somewhere fun! 

Favourite walk or hike in Galway?
For a good all-day hike you have to head up into the wilds of Connemara, the Maumturk Ridge is one I love but have not done in far too long. For now I'll stick to the Prom and build the fitness up first. 

Most picturesque place in Galway? 
If you ever get the opportunity to take a boat trip across Galway Bay, as the boat moves out into the deeper waters, just turn around and look back on the city. One of the few places you can see all of this Great Little City, from Salthill to Merlin, at once. I had the chance to experience this view this year with the Galway Hooker 2020 crew as part of their Galway Hooker Training. It's a beautiful sight to see Galway from the water like sailors, explorers and traders have done for hundreds of years. 

What are you up to for the weekend?
Saturday evening is generally reserved as 'Date Night' with herself but it is the start of Christmas Party Season, so I'll be heading out for dinner and a few drinks with some of the folks I did some work with this year. Then Sunday I would guess will be a relaxed duvet day, maybe a little walk on the prom to blow the cobwebs away. Overall a very relaxing weekend. &nbsp;

Galway Weekend with John Byrne

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