With the weather in Galway finally cheering up a bit, you might want to spend as much time as possible in the sunshine while it lasts. What better way to enjoy the outdoors than with a delicious picnic in a scenic location? Check out our guide below telling you how to have the perfect picnic in Galway.
First things first, you have to decide what to bring!
Prepare your Picnic Basket
Sheridans Cheesemongers
When we think of picnic, we think of charcuterie boards! Sheridans Cheesemongers provides you with the freshest, high-quality ingredients for if you wanted to start from scratch and make the board yourself. If not and you trust the experts a little bit more, they also sell pre-selected charcuterie ingredients all packed together in a neat little box. If charcuterie isn't for you, they also sell pre-made Irish breakfasts boxes, featuring everything you need, from the French press coffee to the McCarthy white and black pudding.
above: Sheridans Cheesemongers | photo by Ciarán MacChoncarraige
Gourmet Tart Co.
If you're looking for something a little bit more classic and romantic, Gourmet Tart Co offers an array of wine and food boxes that include a wine of your choosing, crisps, handmade chocolate chip cookies, snack pots, three handmade gourmet tart bars, and an illustrated card. It's a perfect post-dinner wine and light snack to set to the scene with whoever you're with. And if you're wanting just a little bit more, they offer the option to upgrade to two different wines as well as additional pastries and light snacks.
Juice Genie
What better way to complement your picnic than with a fresh juice? Juice Genie is locally sources and sustainable juice that is good for you, refreshing, and delicious. It is the perfect drink for being outside in the sun. Juice Genie offers a wide variety of different colourful and tasty juice options, and is sold at the Galway Market, making it a perfect choice for a end-of-the-week picnic outing.
Osaka
Continuing on with the fresh theme, sushi is light, easy to transport, and flavourful, making it the perfect picnic food! Osaka in Salthill and Prospect Hill has everything you could want from tempura, to tender steak, to the classic California roll; this new restaurant has something for everybody. Sushi is also an incredibly photogenic food, with its vibrant colours and petit size, so it's a great option for those who always make sure that the camera eats first.
above: photo courtesy of Osaka
Now where are you going to eat all of this?
Picnic Perfect Spots!
Nimmos's Pier
Right on the water's edge and located not far from the city centre, Nimmo's Pier offers a scenic and convenient location overlooking the water that is simply perfect on a nice, sunny day. Nimmo's Pier is also rich with history and culture with its developments in the fishing and Claddagh communities, so if you like a bit of a history lesson with your glass of wine, this is a great option for you. It is also a great spot for both bird and people watching, so whether or not you want to bring someone along or enjoy a peaceful picnic on your own is totally up to you.
Millennium Park
Right along the Eglington Canal of the River Corrib and across from the Galway Cathedral, Millennium Park is a quaint little area that allows your to enjoy your picnic with the tranquil view of the canal and the bright greenery. My personal favourite aspect of the park is the groups of ducks to hang out there all of the time, eating, sleeping, or otherwise quacking away, adding to the natural ambiance of the park.
City Centre
One wouldn't normally consider an urban city centre for a picnic; Luckily, Galway's centre offers a nice, natural reprieve to bustling, urban life. Along the Salmon Weir Bridge across from the Cathedral are green banks off of the river that provide a lush and secluded spot to enjoy your meal with a nice view.
The Spanish Arch
With its rich history and colorful views, the areas surrounding the Spanish Arch are a great choice to enjoy the charm of Galway's Westend. You'll get beautiful views of the water combined with a history lesson to top it off. Just make sure to be prepared and get there early! As soon as the sun comes out, this area is a hotspot for visitors and locals alike.
Beaches of Salthill
If you're wanting a more beachy vibe for your picnic and don't mind getting a little sandy, Salthill on a sunny day is always the classic choice. With clear waters and lively atmospheres, the Salthill beaches offer an escape from Galway's more urban areas.
above: photo courtesy Galway Atlantaquaria
Main image by Ciarán MacChoncarraige.
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