In Galway, we stayed in the Eyre Square Hotel which was within walking distance from everything.  There were two of us in our room and it was a really nice, good sized room.  The bathroom was large with a full tub and shower.  Breakfast was included in our stay, and we ate there every morning.  The breakfast consists of your choice of eggs, toast, bacon, cereal, Irish pudding, and tea/coffee/milk/juice.  By the way, try the Irish pudding, at least once, don't find out what it is first- just try it.  It doesn't taste bad at all- I promise!

Right across from our hotel was a convenience store which was great for picking up our daily bottled water and cheap sandwiches for lunch.  About the water...You can drink it in restaurants, and we actually didn't have problems with the tap water in Galway, but you will be very dehydrated from the flight and you WILL be thirsty the WHOLE trip- so pick up some bottled water.  It's really cheap in the biggest size. (About  €1 for the HUGE size)

A few tips about Galway...

First of all, Ireland is in the European Union and their currency is the Euro.  There are many European countries that make up the European Union.   When (and if) you stop over in London, they use British Pounds, but Italy is also on the Euro.

You will be tempted to buy a lot of souvenirs here but remember that most of the stuff you can find all over Ireland.  In particular, the Guinness stuff will be EVERYWHERE, and we found it to be cheaper or at least the exact same price in Dublin.  So, wait on the Guinness stuff so you don't have to lug it around the rest of the trip.  The main thing here that you won't find other places is the Claddagh Rings.  Just about everyone bought one on our trip.  You will also find yourself spending more money here because you  have just arrived- remember you have 3 more weeks ahead of you, including Dublin and Florence!  You will need to pace yourself!  This is a good place to send postcards from as the post office is easy to walk to and the post cards will get home before you do! 

Another thing is the jet lag.  It gets dark after 9:30 pm in Ireland in May.  You will be tired and jet lagged but you will also be excited.  Because of the 6 hour time difference, you will find yourself wide awake at 5 am, but needing to get up at 8 am!  So, it really would be best if the first few nights you made yourself get some good sleep and get on the new time schedule.  It really is easier said than done, but trust me, you will be out of it by day three if you don't get some sleep.  And, you won't want to be asleep on the Aran Islands!  My first week would have been a lot easier if I had made myself get more sleep.