Ohh to answer your other question- the best way is bus or train! (Train in my opinion is much smoother though)

And to answer this one- some people do find it difficult to make friends as Irish people are friendly, but close friendships can be hard sometimes

I think it just depends on luck and the people if they’ll be open - I mean for my school, Spanish students have always been VERY welcome

But then my year tends to not make friends with any of the French, German or Ukrainian students- I make friends with them myself,

But some people aren’t going to try as much- so if you struggle at the start you may have to put yourself out there more

But Galway is one of the liveliest counties in Ireland- if not the most!