Day 13 Cycling the 32 counties of Ireland - GALWAY
🚴🏾♂️ The Black Paddy Rolls into Galway: Tribes, Tunes & Atlantic Craic
What’s the story, Galway?!
It’s your boy Fabu D, aka The Black Paddy, pedaling into the wild west with Guinness Zero in my bottle cage and trad music in my ears. I’m cycling across Ireland to raise awareness for Jigsaw, the charity helping young people mind their mental health—and Galway? You’ve got colour, culture, and craic for days.
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🧠 A Word on Jigsaw
Before we dive into the madness, let’s take a moment. Jigsaw is doing powerful work—giving young people across Ireland a safe space to talk, to be heard, and to get the support they need. Mental health isn’t just a buzzword. It’s real, it’s raw, and it affects all of us.
This cycle isn’t just about the scenery—it’s about showing up for those who feel unseen. If you’re struggling, know this: you’re not alone. There’s help, there’s hope, and there’s healing.
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🏙️ First Impressions: Tribal Swagger & City Buzz
I rolled into Galway City with the River Corrib rushing beside me and the Spanish Arch welcoming me like an old mate. The streets were alive—buskers on every corner, seagulls with attitude, and cobblestones that have seen centuries of stories.
Galway was once ruled by 14 merchant families, known as the Tribes of Galway. That’s where the nickname comes from. I tried to name all 14 and got as far as “O’Flaherty” and “McDonagh” before a local shouted, “You’re grand, just enjoy the vibes!”
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😂 Funny Galway Facts (Because You Know I Love the Banter)
- The River Corrib is the shortest in Europe—just 6km long—but it flows like it’s late for a meeting.
- The Claddagh ring, symbol of love, loyalty and friendship, was born here. I bought one and now I’m emotionally committed to myself.
- The Galway Hooker is a traditional fishing boat, not a dodgy Tinder profile. I saw one and it’s a beauty.
- The Galway Races are so iconic they have their own week of madness. I didn’t race, but I did wear a hat and pretend.
- Ed Sheeran’s “Galway Girl” was inspired by a real woman from the city. I didn’t meet her, but I did dance in her honour.
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🎶 Music, Magic & Eyre Square Energy
Galway is the heartbeat of Irish music. I stopped in Eyre Square, where the energy is electric and the buskers are world-class. I joined a trad session in a pub and tried to keep up with a fiddle. I was offbeat, but the locals clapped anyway. Legends.
Then I wandered through the Latin Quarter, where every shopfront is a splash of colour and every doorway hides a story. Galway doesn’t just welcome you—it wraps you in rhythm.
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🗣️ Chatting with Galway Legends
You know me—I can’t resist a good chat. I met a man named Colm who swears he once danced with a dolphin off Salthill. I asked what it was like. He said, “Wet, but magical.”
I met a woman who runs a poetry café and told me the best verses come after a sea swim and a strong coffee. I didn’t argue.
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🚴🏾♂️ Cycling Through Galway’s Soul
The roads here are coastal, curvy, and full of character. I passed through Spiddal, where the signs are in Irish and the views are in HD. I cruised along the Wild Atlantic Way, dodging sea spray and soaking up the scenery.
Every turn brought something new: a mural, a musician, a moment of magic.
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🧘🏾♂️ Mental Health Moments: Galway’s Gentle Power
Galway doesn’t shout—it sings. I sat by the bay, sipping my Guinness Zero, watching the tide roll in like it had something to say. That’s the kind of peace Jigsaw wants every young person to find.
If you’re struggling, know this: you’re not broken. You’re human. And there’s help.
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🛏️ Galway Hospitality: A Random B&B with Tribal Warmth
I stayed in a cozy little B&B tucked into a quiet street. The kind of place where the tea’s strong, the welcome’s stronger, and the host gives you directions with a side of philosophy. I asked how to get to Salthill and got a full walking tour, a weather update, and a story about their cousin who once met Sharon Shannon in a chipper.
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💚 Final Thoughts & Shout-Outs
Galway, you’ve been unreal. From Claddagh rings to Corrib rapids, you’ve given me laughs, lessons, and a deeper appreciation for Ireland’s cultural soul.
To everyone who waved, cheered, or shouted “Go on ya legend!”—thank you. To the seagull who tried to rob my chips—respect. To the county itself—keep singing.
And to Jigsaw, the reason behind every mile: thank you for being the light in someone’s dark. You’re changing lives, one conversation at a time.
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💚 Thanks for coming along on the ride!
If you’d like to support the cause, here’s the link:
👉 https://www.idonate.ie/blackpaddytour
Until next time,
Stay strong, stay smiling, and mind your mental health.
— Fabu D, The Black Paddy
