Galway’s Westend, Galway

Every city has a casbah. Galway does, but different. Go through the Latin Quarter to the River Corrib. Cross over historic O'Brien's Bridge or the Wolfe Tone Bridge and arrive at the fabled West End. Known locally as "The West", this part of the city is centuries old. It offers a mix of live music venues, bars, pubs, restaurants, theaters and the Arts.

Pubs, bars, festivals (many) keep things lively. Irish-speaking organizations, an Arts center, galleries, Off-beat theaters like the Blue Teapot and The Black Box together with every kind of music every night; there's very little down time. Specialty tea shops and coffee houses and vintage specialty shops rule the day.

Family-run businesses have been here for generations, alongside newer enterprises. It is said one can get a fish dinner while one's shoes are getting fixed and the local locksmith retrieves the keys left in the car. There are two street festivals: Easter and June and whatever other impromptu street events are conjured up in the local snugs.