We really enjoyed staying in Ernie's place and in the West End. It was far enough away from the tourist mobs that we had some breathing room and could get a feel for ordinary Galway life, even though we were visiting in the dead center of the "high season." We were there during an unusual heat wave, so we left the windows open at night, which meant there was a little bit of noise from the street below, but it was manageable. Ernie is very personable and will point you in the right direction for good food, etc.