I'm planning a weekend trip to Conamara and I'd like some advice from more experienced travellers. My schedule goes like...

1) Take train from Dublin to Galway on Friday. What shall I do after I've arrived and delivered my luggage at the hotel? Is there any Gaeilge-craic in Galway?

2) Saturday: Conamara tour from 9am - 5pm. What to do at night?

3) Sunday: Burren and Cliffs of Moher tour 9am - 5 pm. Train back to Dublin.

I shall bring with my my brand new Pentax 6.0 pixels camera and shoot til I drop! The Conamara tour bus will stop in An Spidéal and people say this is a tremendous place. Anything I should look for in particular?

Aras na nGael in Galway:
http://www.galway.net/galwayguide/showyp.shtml?id=1818

Take in a play (if one is on!)
http://www.antaibhdhearc.com/

In an Spidéal, stay away from an Sapilpín Fánach and Tigh Hughes if you value your money...

http://www.spailpin.com/

(Can only post two links...)

I'd recommend Kenny's Book Shop, but they've closed the retail shop and relocated.

Does anyone know if Charlie Byrne still has a shop in town?

Aonghus,

I've just increased the number of links that can be posted to 10.

Another of the SPAM measures I referred to earlier that we're still fine tuning.

Caoimhin

Thanks Caoimhin.

Visit Tígh Chóilí, just off Shop Street. Fantastic trad music and a great atmosphere. http://homepage.eircom.net/~billybrady/arainn/IMG_4376.JPG

I would have dropped the Burren and Cliffs tour for a trip over to Árainn from Ros an Mhíl. Plenty of B&Bs to stay in.

In Spiddal...

http://www.travelireland.org/galway/spiddal/127-2723_IMG.JPG

I lived in Spiddal for a semester, but I would guess you will be stopping there to shop at Standún (a 10-minute walk from the village) or for a quick break "downtown" where you can walk the beach or go to the pier. Do NOT go to Supermac's or I think this board will disown you. No matter how much time you have there, it is worth the stop. Lots of signs are in Irish and locals often speak it in the streets/shops/pubs. The Craft Centre is also open, so shopping can be done in many of the shops clustered along the beach. I'd suggest just hanging out by the water and taking in the sand and sea. Maybe a chat with a local.

PS. What tour company are you using on the Connemara and Burren/Cliffs tours? I know drivers from a few companies, so it would be funny if you said "hi" from me when you got on the bus.

Trust me. Bethrua. I don't even know what a Supermac IS! And if you tell me, I didn't read it. ;-)

I found details about the Conamara tour on www.arandirect.com/tours.php Don't know what company it is.

Thanks for all websites, guys!

Ceolmhar, I'm afraid I won't be able to stay on any of the Arann islands for just one day. Wouldn't be enough to go to the toilet even!! But I will go there some time.