Ireland: Galway

Galway is a city on the West coast. The first settlements here are going back to 12th century, while the status of city was awarded to Galway only in the end of 15th century. The city started as a fishing village turned into a major trading point thanks to its strategic location. Though later on, the major port got relocated to the east coast of Ireland.
Right now the population of Galway is close to 80K. The city is growing due to the interest of foreign companies in running their business in Ireland. For example, a Cisco office is located on the entrance to the city.
It is also a famous historic place and tourist attraction point. City's downtown has dozens of stores of all kinds.

We had only 2 hours in Galway, but since we didn't have a chance to eat lunch yet, good 30 minutes were spent in a nice restaurant not very far from the Eyre Square.
The main reason of my visit to Galway was a Christmas market. Unfortunately, it was not the one I was hoping to see: 10-15 vendors with hand-made stuff, junk food and a Merry-go-round with a few other entertainments for kids. Other than that the city is definitely worth visiting it. Even to spend more time and go down to the port, visit museums, enjoy architecture and see a different lifestyle compared to  Dublin.

Christmas market. I really wished to see more

The statue of Oscar Wilde and Edward Vilde. Edward was an Estonian writer who was living at Oscar's times. The writers never met, but both had a huge impact on literature of their countries. The identical statue is installed in Tartu, Estonia.

The Claddagh ring (Irish: fáinne Chladaigh) is a traditional Irish ring which represents love, loyalty, and friendship (the hands represent friendship, the heart represents love, and the crown represents loyalty). The Claddagh is a tiny old fishing village located outside of Galway City in an area where the Corrib River opens out into the Atlantic