If you are travelling to Galway from Cork Airport you will by pass Limerick, St Mary's Cathedral and King John's Castle (yes, That King John) are worth a visit, both are in the same area of the city
The main road between Limerick and Cork is not great but once you are 10 miles south of Limerick you will pick up the motorway and it is then only an hour to Galway at motorway speeds.
There are numerous restaurants in Galway with a great selection of seafood places, McDonaghs in Quay St. is frequented by the locals.
A walk down Shop St on Saturday morning would remind you of the Gothica in Barcelona with markets, stalls and buskers, full of life. Call in to Garavan's Pub for a quit pint and local chat.
Jeez I must sound like a tourist brochure but it has a wonderful atmosphere with every nationality under the sun wandering about
Rower