Galway II
Galway isn't an ancient city, but grew around a 12th century fort. Claddagh, however, was an Irish fishing village that was there before the fort.
and before the ring was created. Claddagh rings are The Souvenir. HH and I thought about buying matching rings but, still in recovery from The Great Sorting, we didn't. Still, I like the symbolism: hands, heart, and crown mean friendship, love, and loyalty--all good things for a marriage.
We walked along the beach, as far as the memorial to all those who left Ireland from Galway in 1847-1850.
. As the inscription says, for many, nearby Mutton Light was their last sight of home:
The presence of the past would become a theme for this visit.
But we also enjoyed our various casual encounters, which were very much of the present, like this exchange with a 60-something man who was out walking his Yorkie-type terrier. He passed us early on and the dog as fresh and very much in the lead. When we ran into him again near the memorial, the dog was starting to lag. I commented that it looked like he was wearing his dog out. "Oh yes," he said, "He started out as an Irish wolfhound."