The Emerald Isle: The End

CLIFFS OF MOHER

Although extremely beautiful and breathtaking, my non-existant fear of heights sort of kicked into overdrive in the back of my brain as I stood some 500 feet above the crashing Atlantic below. Brad and other tourists, were much more dare devlish in nature than myself, but the view was beautiful regardless of where you stood.

Fine with being this close...

dare devils

He made me nervous

Mist rolling over the cliffs

I chose the lower path...

Trail that leads on to the Burren Way

We ended up driving the Burren, a very unique landscape that has quite the vegetation and growth immersed in expansive rock formations. We enjoyed visiting the coastal town of Doolen and two very diverse beaches showcasing the Wild Atlantic way. It was beautiful, even amid dense sheets of misty rain and fog, and breaks of sunshine.

rocky landscape of the Burren

Flora found in the burren

CONNEMARA

Our goal was to check out Galway, but we never made it. In fact, we spent the next two days exploring the beautiful sunken in fjord and valley’s of Connemara. This mountainous region had rich lakes, rivers, waterfalls, and streams all nestled against and within its vivid green landscape. This was a rugged area, where Black-Face Mountain Sheep took over the roads and hillsides and was what I originally envisioned much of Ireland to look like.  It is a close resemblance to high mountain meadows in Wyoming and Colorado, but unique in its own right, and was a favorite place of Brad’s on our trip.

Since this was the end of the trip for us, we splurged at an Delphi Adventure Resort. We had wonderful balcony, mountain views, braying sheep, and access to their 300 acres of trails and wild wilderness at our fingertips. 

We also celebrated our anniversary dinner at their local and  very fine restaurant, as well as relaxed in an hour thermal suit, which was much needed after our sight seeing of the area. We had fun drinking with the locals at a pub in the town of Leenane and met an uber friendly shepherd dog, Fly.

Failte

Ashleigh Falls

Fly

Fly

The entire Doolough Valley was a  bit haunting, as historically, 600 or so people traveled between Loiisburgh and Delphi and half died and were buried along the roadsides because they were turned away at Delphi Lodge in 1849. There is a single cross to commesmerate their memorial. 

Then, as you head toward Westport, you run into Croagh Patrick, the infamous mountain where St. Patrick is said to have “ran the snakes from Ireland”, or where he converted pagans to Christianity. We failed to make the trek up the mountain due to high winds and rain, but walked to the base, and also checked out the famine memorial at the park just below.

The pilgrimage trail

View from the trail

Other places we visited along Connemera were highlights of the Wild Atlantic Way and Cong, a city infamous for a John Wayne film The Quiet Man.

Cong Abbey Ruins

Colorful flower arrangements were everywhere

Sheeffrey Pass

Doolough Valley

Coffin Ship

Forgotten boots-Croagh Patrick

Keg, anyone?

Tour buses take up the whole road

Monk fishing hole

Sheep everywhere!

Happiness

KNOCK

The last place on our way back to Dublin the next morning was Knock, where Mary appeared to 17 villagers on the side of a church. For an apparition to appear to one person, or two or three, is one thing, but 17 people claiming to see the same thing is pretty fascinating. The area was quite surreal and peaceful, and we enjoyed our stumble upon this holy & now, sacred shrine.

Cemetary

Where the aparations are said to have taken place

We have to go back sometime to make it up to Donegal and Derry, to do a bit of an investigation on the family ancestry. Plus, we glazed over a few places that we wished we had more time for, so another trip back is a definite possibility, sometime in the future. As for now, we are contemplating our next adventure, more than likely with Madelynne in tow. Always an adventure and a wonderful one, at that!

Cheers!