Galway gets ‘wow’ review in one of world’s biggest papers

Galway has received one tremendous seal of approval from one of the biggest circulating newspapers in the world, with no less than 17 plugs for commercial businesses in the New York Times review.

The snapshot of the City of the Tribes over 36 hours kicked off in fine style when the writer Nell McShane Wulfhart described Galway as Ireland’s most charming city.

Hailed as “compact, walkable and filled to the brim with independent shops and restaurants that walk the fine line between cool and kitsch”, the piece is overwhelmingly positive and comes with a host of picture-perfect photos.

“Cozy, old-fashioned pubs showcase the city’s ever-growing selection of craft beers, chefs serve up west-of-Ireland ingredients in creative new ways, and almost every building housing a modern cafe or new atelier has a centuries-old story behind it.

“It’s not a city in which to hustle; rather, it’s one in which to enjoy a locally brewed pint, relish the excellent seafood and get your fill of views of the rushing River Corrib as it sweeps out to Galway Bay.”

Nell urges the paper’s 1.4m daily readers to begin their adventure at the Collegiate Church of St. Nicholas before stopping off for coffee at the Danish Coffeewerk+Press on Quay Street “the forefront of Galway’s nascent coffee scene” while urging people to also check out Urban Grind on William Street West.

After that it’s McDonagh’s for fish and chips before sampling one of the 100 whiskeys at Tigh Neachtain’s and catching “a spontaneous traditional Irish music session”.

The following morning it’s off to Ard Bia for lunch before a spot of culture at the Galway City Museum and the Galway Cathedral. A lunchtime beer is recommended at the Salthouse Bar which is a champion of Galways “exceptional” craft beer “game”.

The writer then totters off on a Coco-Cola Zero bike to the Prom after which a pint of the locally-brewed Hooker is in order in O’Connor’s in Salthill, which she notes with some surprise is populated by locals given its décor.

For dinner, unsurprisingly the city’s second Michelin star restaurant Loam is the eatery of choice for the €60 six-course tasting menu of “deceptively simple dishes”.

By 9pm Nell takes herself off to the Roísín Dubh for bands, comedy and DJ tunes, with a specific mention for the rooftop terrace with city views.

On Sunday it’s a stroll along Shop Street and High Street to check out the buskers with a pit stop at Aunty Nellie’s Sweet Shop for sherbet limes and custard bonbons and a sniff at the fragrant candles in Cloon Keen Atelier.

Lunch is taken outside the city at Moran’s Oyster Cottage in Kilcogan. For lodgings, the writer was put up in the House Hotel boasting a “shockingly pink lobby” and Park House Hotel.

It’s only four years that the same 36 hours feature  put the spotlight on Galway, when it was described as Ireland’s most Irish city.

The New York Times has the second largest circulation of newspapers in America behind the Wall Street Journal and last October passed the milestone of one million digital-only subscribers.