Dublin, Cork and Galway: exploring three Irish cities in three days

Rooms here are bright and comfortable, with playful interiors and bold artwork making them feel distinctively Dean-like. As with Dublin and Cork, The Dean Galway has a heated swimming pool (this one is large and outdoors) and a top-of-the-range gym, sauna and steam room, all of which are free to access for hotel guests.

The Dean Galway opened in April 2022

The Dean

What to do

A day is definitely not enough time to fully explore Galway, but a good way to see a lot of a city in a short space of time is by electric bicycle. I highly recommend a guided electric bike tour led by Galway-born Martín Lally, who has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the city’s past and present. 

Stops included the University of Galway (and the oak tree planted in 2015 by then-Prince Charles after his historic meeting with Sinn Féin), the National Organ Donor Commemorative Garden, Galway Bay and Menlo Castle. Lally provided electric bike helmets, which meant that in spite of Galway’s excessive windiness, the other participants and I could ask questions and hear his explanations while on the move.

Menlo Castle by the River Corrib in Galway

Karlo Curis/Alamy Stock Photo 

Food and drink

Galway was described by National Geographic as the “beating heart of Ireland’s culinary scene” and after just a few hours in the city, I could clearly see why. Practically every street features a cosy looking pub, and restaurants serving traditional Irish fare – specifically fresh seafood – are everywhere. I loved The Seafood Bar @ Kirwan’s, where a speciality is mussels with a blue cheese and bacon cream sauce (sounds odd but trust me, it worked). 

I also ate in Elephant Castle, a low-key, New York-style restaurant on the ground floor of The Dean Galway. Named after the Underground station in south London, the eatery is one of two Irish branches of a small chain which originated in lower Manhattan in 1973. Elephant Castle is best known for its decadent chicken wings – which come with celery sticks and tangy blue cheese dressing – but its menu also features steaks, burgers, salads and spaghetti.

The Dean also has a speakeasy-style bar on its ground floor called Peg’s (formerly Hogan’s Bar), which often hosts live music nights.

Elephant Castle on the ground floor of The Dean Galway

The Dean

How to get to Ireland

Flights from London to Dublin Airport can start from as little as £9.99 (without luggage). I flew home from Shannon Airport which is very close to the city of Limerick, but just an hour and a quarter’s drive from Galway. Aer Lingus, British Airways and Ryanair all offer flights from Shannon to London.

For a more environmentally-friendly trip, you can catch a ferry from Holyhead in Anglesey, Wales, to Dublin, which can take between 2hrs 15mins and 3hrs 15mins, depending on the operator. Prices vary but can start from around £35 for one way.

The Ha’penny Bridge over the River Liffey at Temple Bar in Dublin

ScenicIreland.com/Christopher Hill Photographic/Alamy

The verdict

Although I wouldn’t necessarily recommend squeezing in so much in such a short period, if you have more time on your hands, exploring Dublin, Cork and Galway in three days is certainly doable. I returned from Ireland thoroughly exhausted – but already excited to return to each city in the future. 

Kate Samuelson was a guest of The Dean hotel group. Room rates at The Dean in Dublin, Cork and Galway all start from €150 (£133) per room per night; thedean.ie 

Article source: https://www.theweek.co.uk/arts-life/travel/960050/dublin-cork-galway-ireland-city-trip