Lauren, our National Sand Artist and Boston native, went on a road trip of Ireland last March with a convoy of close friends. With the help of Dune Jewelry, she wanted to share with you her memories of the Emerald Isle along with a ‘How-To Guide’ of what to do and what to wear. This is Lauren’s The Road Less Traveled.
Galway is the quintessential Irish City. We arrived at sunset as Claddagh, the neighborhood the famed ring is named after, was gearing up for a night of Guinness and live music. The streets were paved with cobblestone and rooftops were strung with colorful streamers. As we walked to The Quays (pronounced “The Keys”) to meet up with our group, it felt as though we were in a movie scene.
That night we hopped from Tig Cóilí, a bar where police and fire patches from around the world lined the bar. Then we were off to the King’s Head, a cozy pub lined with fireplaces and then to the Skeff, where the live music was ready and waiting. If there is one thing to say about Galway, it’s that you won’t be left wanting for local flavor, it’s a city full of welcoming people to meet and places to go and see.
The next morning I woke with the sunrise, as a sheep farmer was leading his herd right outside my hotel window. I decided to grab a coffee and walk the streets while I waited for the rest of my group to wake up. Local farmers and fishermen were setting up tents to sell fresh catches and crops. The smell of fresh cut flowers perfumed the air as I made my way to the Corrib River, which divides the city in two. Spanish arches line the river and lead to the bay, where I stopped to scoop up some sand in the warm morning sun.
My friends finally woke up but before heading to our next destination, we stopped at the Salthill Promenade, where Steve Earle wrote the famous song “Galway Girl.” There’s a manmade outlook separating the beach into what used to be a “Ladies” side and “Men’s” side, back when beach going was all about modesty. On the Men’s side there is Blackrock diving tower, where it’s tradition for brave locals to jump off on Christmas morning into the cold Atlantic waters. From the beach you can see the neighboring peninsulas, protecting the bay from the open ocean, and keeping the water calm. Had it been any warmer, I would have gone in for a dip myself!
The sand I collected from Salthill is smooth and gray, contrasting the multicolored rocky sand from the banks of the Corrib River. The two sands compliment each other so nicely, I decided to memorialize my Galway Morning in Dune’s Sterling Bypass Ring. It will always remind me of the winding streets of the city, where I was able to savor a moment by myself, and share many with some of my dearest friends.
Are you planning a road trip or an exciting adventure this summer? Scoop up some sand and send it our way. We can help memorialize your travels. Send us your sand or check out our SandBank™ to get started.
