Travelling around Ireland has been such a gift. We set off each day with a plan that is easily adapted as new information or experiences are presented. Today we set off for Galway. Sam was excited to go to the Atalantaquarium in Salthill. We got there and it was closed. He was disappointed, but recovered quickly.

We decided that Galway was too large for our liking and continued up to Westport. We had heard of a bar called Matt Malloys, owned by the flutist for the Chieftan’s. We stopped in to check it out and to ask for a recommendation for housing. There were 2 men behind the bar who were more than happy to help us. The younger man got on the phone to check on a B&B for us, while the older man visited with us for a moment. When we asked his name it was none other than Matt Malloy himself!

The B&B they led us to was basically closed because of weather, but they opened it up for us and because they wouldn’t be serving us the full traditional breakfast or be around much they gave us a great deal on the price. We were elated.

We stayed 2 nights, wondering the streets, doing some Christmas shopping, seeking out more Irish music and settling in to this place. We went to Matt Malloy’s 2 nights in a row to listen to music and never saw Matt again, except for that first chance meeting on arrival.