SAMHRADH SA SPIDÉAL
SÍLE SEOIGE | GUEST EDITOR
Is breá liom a bheith sa mbaile i nGaillimh go háirithe i rith an tsamhraidh. This part of Ireland has so much to offer, you are spoiled for choice for places to go, and there is always a great atmosphere on Quay street. I love crossing over the bridge to go to the West end of Galway city too.
I grew up in the village of Spiddal (An Spidéal) which looks out to the Atlantic with Co. Clare on the left and the Aran Islands on the right. It’s not until I moved away and matured that I truly appreciated the upbringing I had. We grew up by the sea and like a lot of kids who grew up in the 70’s and 80’s in Ireland, we spent many hours playing outside. I suppose it’s the freedom I remember most of all. Our summers were spent with our grandparents in Rosmuc, where our Dad is from or on Inis Meáin where our Mom is from. We’d also spend time with cousins around the country or the odd caravan or holiday home break away in the likes of Kerry or Clare! I love taking a trip out to Connemara and popping into Gaynor’s Bar in Leenane for a pint and a toastie on the way home. For me, there is so much I love about Connemara, the landscape, the slower pace of life but most of all the people. A lot of Connemara people I know have an appreciation for storytelling, music and craic which makes them great fun to be around.
I try to get home as often as I can and now with two kids I want to head west more and more. I absolutely see myself moving back to Galway to live eventually. For now though, I will do my best to share my love, appreciation and pride for the county through this issue of Galway Now Magazine.
Grá mór,
Síle
Image: Siobhan Coyne
