Going to Galway, Ireland in July and in need of some help...

I am a photographer who takes b/w pictures with a 35 mm and is currently in college. I'm planning, like the title says, going to Galway, Ireland to attend some of the classes they have there this summer. I am also planning on taking plenty of pictures over there as well.

I am wondering, if there are any working darkrooms in that area that is open to the public.

Should I plan on developing the film myself or should I mail it back home?

Also, are there any camera stores that sell the Ilford 3200 film in the area as well?

We're getting a lot out of the comments that are posted on the website, especially when it comes to building the darkroom.

Thank you
Cathy

A couple of comments

1) Bring a raincoat...

2) bring a lot of film. They probably have Ilford products, but my experience has been that prices are cheaper here. I could be wrong.

3) how much time will you be there? Will you really have time to do darkroom stuff? I would suggest spending the time exploring the country and talking with the people rather than in a darkroom. Possibly, you could take a small tank and do the negatives just to get some feedback. In a few years, you will have better memories of sitting in a pub with a pint (or whatever, if you don't drink), than of being in the darkroom.

Matt

I was fortunate enough to be able to visit Galway and the Irish Republic last year. The day we visited Galway, the city was overflowing with people. Mostly local folk from the surrounding country side who had come to shop. It was a day or two before Easter and I suspect, many were stocking up for the holy day.

I was not specifically looking for photo supplies or services in Galway but, my guess is that if they are to be found within 100Km of Galway, they are in Galway (if that makes any sense at all). If not, Dublin is just a short train ride to the east (ok, it is a couple of beautiful hours by train). You can find everything you could possibly want in Dublin.

Oh, and like Matt Carey says, be prepared for any kind of weather. Dress in layers...and do make sure to visit a few pubs.

Here are some pro labs in Dublin:

Grants
33 Upper Baggot Street
Dublin 4
Tel. 1850-660-666
email info@grants.ie

The Colour Lab
Fumbally Lane
Dublin 8
Tel.453-6300

Repro 35
68 Merrion Square
South Dublin 2
Tel 662-1077

in Mullingar about 70 miles from Dublin:
Philip and John Hand
Newbrook Industrial Estate,
Mullingar, Co.Westmeath
044-48150

Fahy Foto -- They might know of a darkroom. Seems there are lots of pro photographers in the area, from a Google search.
-Dana

Theres no darkrooms for rent. You could contact Dead Link Removed and see if one of their members have a darkroom or know of somone that does.

Theres a great darkroom in Dublin Dead Link Removed but I'm thinking for 35mm you should just ship a changing bag and some reels over here.

You should also buy your film before coming over or send it to your Galway address.

Enjoy Galway, some great pubs

One suggestion: Go north. We found that the crowds began at Galway when last toured and that Mayo was equally spectacular and far less travelled. Achill Island in particular was worth a visit, though there is really not much there to put it on a map, just an incredible coastline, a few abandoned villages, lots of sheep and wonderful people. The Mweelrea Mtns, and Dhulough Pass (the road number we took is R335) knocked my socks off on a day when the light and the air were playing with the mountains. I would suggest Clifden as well, but the inland route, and the Twelve Pins through Joyce's Country is an attractive alternative.

Galway itself, my favorite spot from the 70's, has grown up into a pretty big place, with all the pains that come from growing up. Go north to say hi to Croagh Patrick, where the saint is said to have stood to banish the snakes, stay in the beautiful but touristy Westport Quay and idle along Newport bay to Achill. You'll never forget it. If you go south, you might look in at Kilkee, a smallish resort town just north of the Shannon and a great place to walk the cliffs.

I found little choice in film in most places in Ireland. and few places that would do more than the usual one-hour processing outside of Dublin, but then, I admit I didn't look too hard.

Above all, have fun. Ireland is magical in mid-summer, rain coat or no.

Galway in July

Thanks for the responses so far. We like the idea of at most making negatives and not have spent rolls of film getting lost. Will be there a month.