Four Day Catch Up

Monday 21st August

Travelled from Strandhill to Westport along the Wild Atlantic Way

Started to rain about lunchtime - weather system which was a former Hurricane in the Alantic expected to bring a lot of rain over the next few days.

Highlights

• Our first Tower Castle
• Wonderful coastal scenery
• Downpatrick Head - walk to blowhole and rock formations
• learning more about 'bogs'
• sheep  everywhere including alongside and on roads

The day ended with us driving in very heavy rain for several hours and arriving late and tired at Westport and thankfully a lovely B & B.

 

Tuesday 22nd August

 

A Day in Westport. Heavy rain expected all day so unfortunately did not do planned 42km bike ride.

Spent time at Heritage Centre but did not discover anything about Hannakers living in the area.

Drove around the coast and found a lovely spot for a picnic lunch - a pier, rock beach, saltwater bog and no rain although looked very threatening. We were amazed that people were swimming and sitting under umbrellas on the beach - it was about 16C, and lifeguards were on duty. Wonderful drive around large headland before returning home - no rain all day!.

 

Wednesday 23rd August

 

Continued along the Wild Atlantic Way from Westport to Roundstone.

 

Highlights

• Holy Mountain (Croagh Patrick) - many (100's each day) climb as a pilgrimage. Some with bare feet. We just looked.
• National Famine Memorial - a 'Coffin Ship' sculpture - very moving
• The drive through Doolough Valley where there is a memorial to the poor who travelled through the Valley on a day in1849 seeking food or help from Government officials in Delphi - a 10 mile walk following goat tracks and wading streams. They were told there was no help and they must go back to where they had come from. Many died of cold and hunger.
• Coonamara National Park - 100's there but were able to do a short walk. Got caught in a sun shower which thoroughly wet our trousers - soon dried out because weather was quite warm - at least 18C
• Sky Road from Clifden to Roundstone - magnificent coast scenery
• Pub meal in Roundstone
• Irish musical night in community hall put on by the locals - very talented musicians and dancers. A great night and fitting end to an almost perfect 'Irish' Day
  

Thursday 24th August

 

Not such a good day. Rained all day, very cold and windy. Further north there have been terrible floods. Cars washed away, houses flooded, many roads cut - we have been very fortunate.

 

Did manage to visit some interesting Stone Age sites, although we got pretty wet. Unable to see any of the views in the Burren region which was a bit unfortunate. Painted on the wall of our bedroom which is in a farmhouse in a lovely rural setting in Lisdoonvarna are the words "LIFE isn't about waiting for the storm to pass... its learning to Dance in the Rain"

 

I have managed driving on the very narrow roads OK. Along side every road there are rock walls. Some walls are very high and very close to the road. Speed limit is 100km on most roads but drops back to 80km if there is only room for one car i.e. if one car is able to pull into a narrow side spot so the on coming car can squeeze through. it is fun when the oncoming vehicle is a bus - they don't back up. Journey down the Wild Atlantic Way continues tomorrow.