How about this for a business idea: bottling Galway?

Flush with festivals, blessed with a stunning coastline, and home to not just one of the most energetic cities in the land - but the soulful Aran Islands and the great rocky wilderness of Connemara, too. Yes, bottling Galway could make millionaires of us all.

Until then, however, the next best thing is a visit. And the obvious first stop is the thriving city of Galway itself. Don’t make a plan when you go walkabout here (few Galwegians do). Instead, go where the mood takes you. That may be a tiny independent bookshop; it may be a pub, an aquarium, or a city museum whose upper floors reveal a breathtaking view of the River Corrib. There's a wealth of choice on tap!

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Take the coast

Of course, Galway is as much a city as a signpost for what lies beyond – and in this case, what lies beyond is an image of Ireland at its wildest. For every star God put in the sky, it is said, He laid a million stones in Connemara. And those stones – be they meshed into the ground and trodden upon by black-faced sheep, or punching upwards into the magnificent Twelve Bens mountain range – come together in a wonderful mosaic.

Tiny roads wander along a coastline studded with islands, unexpectedly white beaches and intriguing old villages.  

The past lingers in the air here. Traces of old Galway, including the city walls and the distinctive Spanish Arch, give the city an ancient atmosphere. Follow the salty air that breezes through the winding lanes to traditional shops and pavement cafés. Shaped by its status as an important seaport, you'll find plenty of seafood on the menus.

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Enjoy some craic (that's 'fun' in Ireland)

Galwegians revel in enjoying themselves. Right in the middle of the Wild Atlantic Way, the city has a reputation for artistic creativity and an infectious up-tempo vibe that’s played out in a full calendar of festivals and events. From music and horseracing to literature and oysters – Galway knows how to celebrate.

Throughout the year there’s a party atmosphere that gives this place a special edge. It’s no wonder people pour into the hopping bars, traditional pubs and fantastic restaurants every weekend.

Brightly painted pubs heave with live music, while cafés offer front-row seats for observing street performers... 

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Linger by a lake

Connemara is as much a coastal phenomenon as a National Park – even though it possesses one of those, too. Take a drive, and within a few hours you’ll be winging your way from Maam Cross to the harbour town of Clifden; or from the Gaeltacht village of Spiddal and the coral beach at Carraroe to a creamy bowl of chowder in Roundstone, an old harbour village on the windswept Ballyconneely Peninsula. You'll recognise a few places from your favourite films, too.

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Head for an island

Nor does Galway stop at its westernmost shoreline. A short ferry or plane crossing from the mainland whisks you to the mythical Aran Islands: limestone outcrops dominated by sheer cliffs, stone walls, deserted beaches and iconic heritage sites like Dún Aonghasa. The 2,000-year-old fortress, scythed in half by encroaching erosion, has “wow” written all over it. 

One day, they’ll bottle all of this. Until then, get your boots on. The wild and beautiful Aran Islands and Connemara Peninsula might keep you captive such that you'll never have time for the city. What to do? Both, of course! 

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