Galway

Galway Weekend is a weekly series where city dwellers from near and far give us their take on great spots to visit for a quiet pint, bite to eat and more, as well as unique places to soak up the beauty of Galway city and its surrounds.

City Councillor Niall McNelis is a Galway West General Election candidate and Labour spokesperson for Tourism. 


Presuming you had a signal, what 3 apps would you use on a desert island?
Well, the first one would have to be Deliveroo because I want to make sure I get some food. They look after all the really good restaurants in Galway city. The second one would be Big O Taxis app, the desert island version, because that’s the one that I constantly use when I go for a few pints. The third one, of course, would have to be the Galway App because I want to find out what’s going on at home.


What’s your favourite place in the city?
I’m blessed because I grew up in Galway city. Some of my favorite places would be St. Nicholas’ Church, the Galway City Museum, it’s spectacular what they have there for an asset, and the Galway Cathedral. But really it’s Quay Street/High Street/Cross Street and the buzz they have in that area.&nbsp;


Any hidden gem you would recommend for visitors to Galway?
St. Nicolas’ Church. It’s amazing. Over Christmas I was surprised with the number of people from Galway who had never visited the place. The fact is that it’s steeped in so much history. I had the honour to go up into the bell tower to see how cool it is. It’s being held together by cobwebs and fresh air at the moment. 700 years old of history.	


Where is your favourite place to grab a bite to eat?
We’re spoilt for choice in Galway. I love the King’s Head Bistro, upstairs in McCambridge’s, and the Kasbah above Neachtain’s.


What pub would you go to for:

A quiet pint? 
It’s very hard to find a place for a quiet pint in Galway as all the pubs are really busy. I’d go to Rabbitt’s on the far side of the Square, Neachtains or Monroe’s.

A match?
Definitely the King’s Head or the Dáil Bar

Tunes?
Upstairs in Monroe’s. Massimo if I was going to have a few pints and wanted to dance a bit, or upstairs in Bar Seven.
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Any recommendations for a place to go on a first date? 
My first date with my wife was to Peacockes in Maam Cross and the idea was that if it didn’t work out I would have left her out there. Everywhere in Galway is brilliant for a first date except it is so small that everyone would know it’s your first date.


Favourite walk or hike in Galway?
Along the canals - just absolutely spectacular. The Promenade, Barna Woods or Coole Park in Co. Galway.


Most picturesque place in Galway? 
In the city it is to be the Promenade. In the county, it would have to be on top of Diamond Hill in the Connemara National Park


What are you up to for the weekend?
Canvassing, working, paying bills, going to the rugby and pints tomorrow night with the lads, which is still part of work because we’ll be canvassing tomorrow night as well.

Galway Weekend with Niall McNelis

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