The Seaside city of Galway, Ireland

I love the sounds of a seaside village.  The birds, the rushing water, and the sound of Irish music.  I know you can get that in other areas of Ireland, but Galway has a way of making you 'change your plans' and stay longer.

Which we did.  It is a gem.

With the neat, colourfully painted houses and shops along the water front.

Unfortunately, Galway has not escaped the flooding that has been happening this winter across Ireland.

Sand bags below have been trying to stop the water from seeping into the stores.  One jewelry store owner told us she has been flooded four times already this winter?

This is their very high with an incredibly strong current river that runs through the town of Galway and out to the sea.

Rescue teams practicing on the rushing river.  There have been a number of tourists who have been lost at sea this winter here on the west coast.  Too close to the water and the 60-100 km gusts have blown them in.

We have met many people along our journey, but we have actually made a couple of friends that we are sharing Irish experiences with.  Christine from Tennessee is a very interesting gal who we met at the Kinlay Hostel where we are staying.  She gave us a tour of Galway and shared all her special haunts with us to check out.

Feeding the seabirds makes you very popular amongst seabirds.....and all their relatives!

Many different types of water fowl.  Cute as buttons.

'Mediterranean Gull' with the black head hanging out with the other gulls.

Looking in my bird book, I believe this is a 'Sanderling.'

A 'Herring Gull'.

Looks like these three below were having a conversation?

Below are 'Muted Swans.'

A Memorial to Galway maritimers, lost at sea.  

Interesting note is that Christopher Columbus stopped here for blessings on his voyage to the New World.  

A whole mixed group waiting out the huge gusts of wind in Galway Bay.

You may find this funny, but this wee gull below is also called a 'Black-headed Gull' but with his white winter plumage.

Most signs are written in English and Gaelic in the Republic of Ireland.  However, you don't need to know Gaelic to understand this sign?

A Galway gentleman told us to stay clear of the rushing water on this particular day.  He says the gusts were getting stronger, coming off the ocean, and they had the power to blow is in.

This wee fellows feet don't match his head???  

They are going opposite directions???

It is a 'Black-headed Gull' as well.  He is still so cute.