We decided to take it easy today and visit Glenveagh National Park. The park is in the mountain area of Donegal and the park included Glenveagh Castle. The castle is not a true castle but a country house that was built in a beautiful spot on a lake. We also took a tour of the Castle and had lunch in the Tea Room. We could not take pictures inside but the pictures of the outside and the lake are amazing.
We then went into Burtonport to see the harbor and have a coffee and snack. We got to see a fisherman unloading crab and lobster.
We learned that there was a session in Dungloe, so we went early and had a great seafood dinner before I played and sang a few songs with some very talented young musicians.
We were so far north that we were able to drive back to the B&B in twilight at 10:45 at night! Longest day of the year is tomorrow. On to Belfast tomorrow
We left Sligo heading north to our B&B near Burtonport in Donegal County. Our first stop was St. John’s Point to see the lighthouse. In typical Irish fashion the roads were pretty narrow, but the traffic was also light. The views as we drove toward the point were wonderful, but the road was too narrow to stop and take a picture. The lighthouse was nice and the view from the point was spectacular.
Our next stop was the Slieve League Cliffs. We first drove to a parking lot near a gate across the road. We started to walk up the very steep road and when we realized that it would be quite a hike and also that we could drive up the road, we decided to have Linda wait at a wide place and Bill went back to get the car (very good decision!!). While waiting for Bill and the car, Linda took a picture of one of the million sheep in Ireland. The drive to the cliffs was uneventful and the view from the top was wonderful, maybe even better than the Cliffs of Moher. It was not perfectly clear, the that didn’t detract too much from the view.
We then headed cross country to our B&B near Burtonport. Our route took us over Glengesh Pass that afforded some great views. We had been warned about the pass, but compared to the passes in the Colorado Rockies, it was pretty tame.
We checked into the B&B and our host Aine Boyle told us that her sister was having her ukulele students have a session at a local pub and we were invited to play along. Before we went to the pub, we had dinner at a local restaurant the seafood (all local) was outstanding. It was great fun and Bill sang a few songs and played along. But the highlight of the evening was when they discovered we had been married for 50 ears and they sang a some “My Best Friend” while we danced. The video is on Facebook.
Started the day by driving out to Rosses Point which is a lovely seaside village near Sligo. There is a lighthouse there and a beautiful beach.
We then drove on to Lissadell House. The house is a bit plain for a grand house but very interesting inside. More importantly, Lissadell House was the home of Countess Markievicz who was an Irish revolutionary famous for her role in the Easter Rising in 1916. She also worked for women’s rights including suffrage in the UK. She was the first woman elected to the English Parliament and Irish Parliament Dail Eireann.
We next drove out to Parke’s Castle where we had an excellent tour. The castle has been restored and is an example of a 17th century plantation castle. Robert Parke was English, but treated the local Irish very well. The castle was originally the home of Brian O’Rourke who was executed by Queen Elizabeth for providing aid to survivors of the Spanish Armada. It is a beautiful setting on the shore of Louge Gill.
Went back to our B&B to finish the laundry and get ready for our journey to Donegal tomorrow.
Drove from Westport to Sligo via Ceide (pronounced “Cage-a”) Fields. Ceide Fields is a neolithic site with marvelous views of the North Mayo coast. We had a long range view of Downpatrick Head. We decided not to make the trip up to Downpatrick Head. On the way to Sligo, our GPS “lady” sent us down some narrow roads (with grass growing in the middle).
We arrived at our B&B in Sligo and decided to get some laundry done. Sligo is by far the least touristy place we have been to. It seems the no one is on the street after 7 or 8 PM. Met some nice people at the B&B. Most everyone else was going from north to south.
Today was a cloudy and rainy day. Fortunately the rain was intermittent. We decided to go to Kylemore Abbey that we had planned on visiting yesterday. We decided to go to the abbey via the Wild Atlantic Way so that we did not go and come home the same way. The drive was along the shore of Clew Bay. The tide was out and it was amazing to see the dry sea bed.
Got to Kylemore Abbey in time for a little lunch, as you know we travel on our stomachs. The abbey itself is beautiful and the rain let up somewhat so we went to see the walled gardens. We both love English gardens and the gardens at Kylemore are stunning.
Got back to Westport and decided just to have a nice dinner out and relax. We are off to Sligo tomorrow.
After a wonderful 6 days with Wild Atlantic Music Tours, thanks to Robert and Eddie, we picked up our rental at Shannon Airport and headed north towards Westport. Our original plan was to make one or two stops, but we got a later than planned start and we were tired from all the sightseeing and music. We drove around Galway and then headed into Connemara where the views were amazing. The views of Lough Inagh were great. Also, the road went thru open sheep range so we had to be on the lookout for stray sheep. The road went by Killary Harbour, which is Ireland’s only true fjord and we stopped for a photo opp.
We checked into our B&B and wandered around Westport. We stopped in a cheese shop and had a plate of Irish cheeses and dried meats. We also had a lovely French white wine. A little later we went to Matt Malloy’s Pub for the evening session. Bill decided to forgo playing and we sat and listened. The music was grand, but the crowd was noisy. We left after about 40 minutes and walked back to the B&B. The sun was just setting and we took one last picture of Linda on a bridge over the Carrowbeg River.
Started the day early to beat the buses and the crowds at the Cliffs of Moher. Even though the forecast was for rain, the day turned out cry and clear, so much for weather forecasting accuracy. We had a great view of the cliffs and the wind was manageable.
After some photos and a visit to the excellent visitor center, plus some shopping, we headed to The Burren and the Burren Perfumery. We had a short guided tour of their herb garden and then went to the Tea Room for a wonderful lunch. Of course, there was some shopping.
Our last touring adventure was a 2 hour guided walk of The Burren with Tony Kirby. He showed us the plant life and geology of The Burren. Near the end of the walk he showed us a 11th Century monastic site, including a stone church.
We had a great dinner at the hotel and then we went to the Poet’s Corner Pub, where we listened to Blackie O’Connell, Siobhan Peoples and others play a session. Bill played with them and then loaned his guitar to Tommy O’Sullivan, who made the guitar sing. We got a recording of a number of the tunes. It was a great end to a wonderful tour. Tomorrow we pick up our rental car and head to Westport.
Started the day with a drive through a portion of the Burren, a rocky landscape that is unique. We stopped at Poulnabrone Dolmen, the oldest Megolithic monument in Ireland, for a quick picture.
Next was a quick stop for a picture of Dunguaire Castle. Ireland has more castles that all of England, Scotland and Wales.
Once we were in Galway, we stopped McDonagh’s for a fish and chips lunch. Bill again went off the diet for some of Ireland’s best fish and chips. After lunch, we had a walking tour through the old city. Galway is an old medevil city that still follows the 1600 street layout in the old city.
There was an opportunity for a little shopping before we returned to Ennis for dinner, where we were serenaded by a small traditional group that had a fiddle, concertina and harp. Afterwards, we went to the Diamond Pub, where be had a drink and Bill had a chance to play again with Blackie O’Connell. As we were having an early start the next day, we left the pub “early.”
The highlight of today was a trip to the smallest of the Aran Islands, Inis Oirr. On the way to Doolin to catch the ferry to Inis Oirr, we took a side trip to Lisdoonvarna. Our band plays a song “Road to Lisdoonvarna.” The village is famous for a matchmaking festival every September. We had a snack at Gus O’Connor’s pub before getting on the ferry.
We were met at the dock by our guide who was a wealth of knowledge about the geology and history of the island. We climbed to a church that was dedicated to St. Kevin, the founder of the monastic order on Inis Oirr. After that, it was a climb to the ruins of a castle. The entire island is covered by small fields that are surrounded by stone walls. We had a late lunch on the island before taking the ferry back to Doolin.
The next high point was a visit to the Doolin Music House. This is the home of Christy Barry. He opens his home to show how traditional music was often played in homes. There was banter and wonderful music, plus wine and cheese.
On returning to Ennis we stopped at Cruise’s Pub, where two of the members of Socks in the Frying Pan were playing a session. We had a great time listening and we are looking forward to seeing them at this year’s Irish Fest. Tomorrow we are off to Galway.
We were picked up by a horse drawn carriage and had a tour thru Killarney National Park. Had a stop at Ross Castle and strolled along the banks of one of the Killarney Lakes.
Checked out of our hotel and drove north to Ennis. Along the way we stopped at Adare for lunch and to see the village, Bunraty Castle and Folk Park.
Checked back into the Old Ground Hotel and had a lovely dinner at the hotel with the other family on the tour. Then had a special treat as we were invited to join a session at the home of the uncle of our tour guide. Had a great time playing and singing. We even had a chance to hear one of the young cousins sing a wonderful song called “Four and Nine.”
We then adjourned to a pub where Bill had a chance to sing a song and play a little with the session there. We are off to the Aran Islands and Doolin tomorrow.
