Tag: galway

Galway Girls (Part 7)

A few moments later, the main act appeared on the stage. He was a thirtyish Irish bloke from Cavan of all places. It didn’t take him long to get the crowd going. He interacted much more with them, asking them where they were from and what their jobs were; hitting the jackpot somewhat when he came across some nurses. They had fascinating tales about body parts getting stuck in very strange places, which the crowd found very amusing.

All the time, the drinks kept flowing After about 40 minutes, the gig came to an end.

“Well, what did ya think of that Sean?” I asked. They had gotten up off their seats and were standing in front of me now.

“Yeah it was good,” he replied.

“Where now?” asked Ronan,

Sean was the guy from the area, so we were following him with the expectation that he would bring us to the best spots that the city had to offer. He had yet to let us down.

After glancing at his watch he said, “Well, there is an alternative type spot quite close to here. It can be very packed but we should be able to get in if we leave now.”

Alternative, I thought to myself. I wasn’t really sure what he meant exactly but it did sound like somewhere I should be going to. 

“Yeah, let’s go there. It sounds cool.”

With that Ronan concurred and off we went.

Galway Girls (Part 3)

The traffic grew as we approached our destination. Galway is full of quaint, narrow streets. They give it a sense of place and improve walkability. But, they can get gridlocked during busier times.

It’s now that we start looking out for a parking spot, preferably a wheelchair spot but we’ll take what we can get. We’ve done this journey a few times previously so we know where to look. Incredibly, the rain stops and a parking space is free just as we approach the hotel. I hope this is a good omen for the night.

We are staying in the Imperial Hotel, its location is ideal for someone with limited mobility, with everything of importance close by. It is also the only hotel in a central location with a lift where wheelchair users can stay. The reception area is rather plain and dull, with just non-descript chairs for people who wish to sit. We are met by a smiling receptionist who says, that she hopes we will enjoy our stay in a strong Galway accent.

We head up to our room, which is very spacious but clammy. I tell Ronan that I call dibs on the double bed. Part of me wants to lie down for a while but Ronan is anxious because we running late for the comedy gig so it’s just a quick trip to the toilet and spruce up for me.

Galway Girls (Part 2)

The drive to Galway from my hometown takes about an hour and a half. All via a motorway through an Autumnal landscape. Some leaves cling to existence on now mostly barren branches. I was sitting in my electric wheelchair, which was clamped to the bottom of the van in close proximity to my driver Ronan.

On the way, we discussed what was happening in our lives. With me, nothing much. My life in my thirties had become somewhat stale – get up, work, watch TV, repeat. For me, this trip was a chance to refresh my mind and break up the monotony. Ronan’s life was progressing at least. His second child was on the way, and he was a firefighter. For God’s sake, a hero. Not that I was jealous or anything, more that it was inspiration for what my life should be like. And, anyway coming across car crashes, drownings, and suicides, not my kind of thing.

About half an hour into the trip, our conversation had quietened somewhat and the radio went on. There’s nothing quite like driving and rocking away especially when you have done it for a while. A bit of Queen there and then some Prodigy.

It was raining heavily on the way up but the forecast said that it would clear. I hoped they were right. Nothing worse than being in wet clothes and in a wheelchair for getting a cold.

As we approached the city, Ronan turned on his satnav. Galway’s a maze of one-way streets for those who don’t know it intimately. Our destination was called the Imperial Hotel on Eyre Square right in the beating heart of the city.

Galway Girls (Romance)

There was always something about getting out of Mullingar that would get me somewhat excited. Not that there is anything wrong with Mullingar. It’s just good to see and do something different now and again.

You see my name is Paul and I have a condition called cerebral palsy. My speech is unaffected but if I stand, I can only take a few steps at best. Hence, I use an electric wheelchair. It really is a lifesaver. I have good coordination in my arms but they lack strength. So, I wouldn’t be the best of bricklayers. Yes, I have a job and work full-time in an office selling stationery. Most of the time, it’s pretty boring unless something goes wrong with the system. That’s never good.

Well anyway, a few months ago, I and my besties Ronan and Sean made plans for a night away in Galway on the fifteenth of October. This was something we had done a few times previously taking in a comedy gig and then going for a few drinks. Ronan also lives in Mullingar and he will be my chauffeur. Sean lives on a boat. More about that later.

That was last Friday and it turned into a night to remember.