Photo Essay: The Buskers of Galway

I dare anyone to try to spend time in Galway without encountering a single busker. From morning to evening these street musicians can be found along the main pedestrian street between Eyre Square and the harbor: folks of all ages and skill levels, from amateur pianists barely able to bang out “Heart and Soul”, to lively six-piece folk bands, to banjo players who sing sad songs so soulfully you’d think they’d stepped straight out of Famine-era Ireland.

Case in point: the following are buskers I encountered in just one afternoon in Galway.

While I admire anyone who is brave enough to perform in public, my favorite by far were the children. Not only because it takes a special kid to perform in front of strangers, or because they were allowed out alone at such a young age (how often do you see that anymore?) — but they were playing two very uncommon instruments (as a violist with an accordionist cousin, I have a soft spot for the unsung instruments), still played with sheet music (adorable), and they had a sense of humor. The boy in the last photo, his sign reads:

Need Money 4 Video Games!
Just Kidding!
It’s 4 Trocaire + My Music Lessons!