I spent three days in Galway for the Galway Folk Festival. A wide variety of music, not all of which I would have called “folk”, but it did provide a little bit of something for everyone. I also appreciated the mix of ticketed and free performances. Although music in a bar is rarely “free”.
Do not plan to set sail from Galway at low tide.
Galway has a population of about 85,000 but as a popular destination, it is well equipped with hotels and restaurants. It also delivers for sights to see, in my case mostly just walking around. I can’t predict the weather, but highly recommend a comfortable raincoat.
My walking included the Salthill Promenade, about 2.5 miles one way from downtown Galway. Tradition says that one kicks the wall at the end by the swim platform for good luck.
The Journey 