Cliffs of Moher in the wind and a cache. It was so dang windy at the Cliffs, but they are pretty spectacular. As a bonus they had a nice visitor center and a cool movie that made you feel like you were a bird swooping around the cliffs. I had to leave after seeing only a few minutes cause it made me feel like I had vertigo.
We had a very enthusiasic guide to show us the Burren, which was a very sparse looking place at first glance. Windy today and seemingly very flat the Burren is filled with historical and archaeological sites. And some pretty cool plant life, but I confess I got back in the bus as I just was tired of the windy conditions.
Once we arrived at our B&B, Petra House, we made it to dinner as a group at McSwiggan's Bar and Restaurant in Galway, where I tried a beer called a Galway Hooker (pale ale). They did a wonderful job on our group dinner and I think we were all happy to have a steak choice, I know I was for sure....It was a great time chatting with our new tour buddies...we pretty much know each others names by now.
Once we arrived at our B&B, Petra House, we made it to dinner as a group at McSwiggan's Bar and Restaurant in Galway, where I tried a beer called a Galway Hooker (pale ale). They did a wonderful job on our group dinner and I think we were all happy to have a steak choice, I know I was for sure....It was a great time chatting with our new tour buddies...we pretty much know each others names by now.
Today we are off to the Aran Islands or The Arans are a group of three islands located at the mouth of Galway Bay, on the west coast. The 1,200 inhabitants primarily speak Gaelic, which is the language used in naming the islands and their villages and townlands.
We got to take a ferry ride there which was a nice change from the bus, but of course we took the bus to the ferry stop about 45 minutes from ou bed and breakfasts. For this part of the trip we are in 3 different ones, but they are all next door so it is not big deal to be split up.
Upon arrival we jumped into two large vans and were taken round the island to see the sights and we were dropped at Dun Aonghasa which was a very cool fort on the edge of the cliff, like the Cliffs of Moher, but not as high, but also no walls to stop you walking off the edge! After our tour we stopped in at Ti Joe Watty's for lunch of soup and sandwiches.
If I had to do it over again, I would skip this part and stay in Galway to explore the twisting streets of this walled city. I will say the walk to see Dun Aonghasa was slippery but very worth it, but I don't think it made the trip...I did manage to do a little shopping in the sweater mart. After shopping we boarded the ferry back to the mainland and Pascal was waiting to take us back to Galway. Some of us got off the bus very quick in town to walk to dinner or whatever and some stayed on the bus back to the inns. Lori and I got off so we could grab some dinner .
We got to take a ferry ride there which was a nice change from the bus, but of course we took the bus to the ferry stop about 45 minutes from ou bed and breakfasts. For this part of the trip we are in 3 different ones, but they are all next door so it is not big deal to be split up.
Upon arrival we jumped into two large vans and were taken round the island to see the sights and we were dropped at Dun Aonghasa which was a very cool fort on the edge of the cliff, like the Cliffs of Moher, but not as high, but also no walls to stop you walking off the edge! After our tour we stopped in at Ti Joe Watty's for lunch of soup and sandwiches.
If I had to do it over again, I would skip this part and stay in Galway to explore the twisting streets of this walled city. I will say the walk to see Dun Aonghasa was slippery but very worth it, but I don't think it made the trip...I did manage to do a little shopping in the sweater mart. After shopping we boarded the ferry back to the mainland and Pascal was waiting to take us back to Galway. Some of us got off the bus very quick in town to walk to dinner or whatever and some stayed on the bus back to the inns. Lori and I got off so we could grab some dinner .
If I had to do it over again, I would skip this part and stay in Galway to explore the twisting streets of this walled city. I will say the walk to see Dun Aonghasa was slippery but very worth it, but I don't think it made the trip...I did manage to do a little shopping in the sweater mart. After shopping we boarded the ferry back to the mainland and Pascal was waiting to take us back to Galway. Some of us got off the bus very quick in town to walk to dinner or whatever and some stayed on the bus back to the inns. Lori and I got off so we could grab some dinner and the geocache in the photo at right. Galway lies on the River Corrib between Lough Corrib and Galway Bay and is surrounded by County Galway. This is a picture of the Spanish Arch very near the heart of the city. After caching we wadered thru the old streets of Galway til we found an Italian place, Il Folletto. Of course we ran into tour members and ended up joining their table for dinner. Post dinner we wandered into Gino's for some gelato (very yummy!) and found Tig Coili for some trad music and craic. It was very crowed in there as the music was great. Finally we took a cab back to the bed and breakfast. That night there was a dog race and the track was located right next to the Petra House and the owners Joan and Frank were so nice I did not want to leave.
Today was a highlight of the trip for me, and I think it was memorable for all of us. We got to come face to beak with a Harris hawk named Inca and her trainer Laura at the Ashford Castle School of Falconry. The grounds are lovely at Ashford Castle and there were lots of expensive cars in the parking area. But we were there to fly hawks. After a short intro were we got to meet a few of the birds including a magnificent owl, one of our tour members - Linda L. carried Inca out to the flying area and we were shown how to "launch her from our gloved fist and then we all took a turn with glove and having her land and take off to fly....truly an experience to take your breath away.
After another full day we were all happy to check into the Clewbay Hotel and eat dinner in the hotel at Madden's in Westport which means "stone fort of the beeves", and is located in County Mayo. I did go for a short walk to try and find a cache but the area had been vandalized so had not luck. Did manage to find the Westport was also a "tidy town" winner several times over. I had the tortellini for dinner as I was just wanting something simple and without fish or a bunch of sauce. After dinner, a few of us hardy souls did go to Matt Molloy's but the music was not going to start til late so we went next door to the Porterhouse and hoped for music...we saw them setting up, but finally walked back to the hotel and slept. At least we go to have some Guiness!