Category: Phase 4

For my final excursion of this adventure, I hopped on the Aran Islands shuttle from Galway City to the ferry, about an hour away, in Rossaveel.  On the ferry, I was in for a wild ride!  Today’s weather was the best it’s been in quite some time (thanks to Storm Kathleen!); I wonder how bumpy the ride is usually out to the Aran Islands!

I visited the largest of the islands, Inis Mór, touring around the sites on a rented e-bike.  What a cool way to see the island!  Upon turning in my bike, I walked to the little village and sat in a pub with four locals for some lunch and a pint.  No need for my book or cellphone to keep me occupied while eating – these four gentlemen were quite entertaining!  I learned a couple very important lessons.  First, pick a grey horse to place, especially if it’s wearing the number 5.  Also, in Ireland a pint is 20 ozs, a shot is 1.2 ozs, and a glass of wine is 6 ozs.  🤣

My first view of the island from the ferry dock

 

I saw horses, donkeys, and cattle on my bike ride

 

This time, I leap-frogged with two couples from Toronto so we traded photo taking

 

Cairns!

 

A mix of old and new houses on the island

 

Old home

 

I parked my bike and hiked up to Dún Aonghasa, the largest of the prehistoric stone forts of the Aran Islands. Perilously perched on a sheer sea-cliff, Dún Aonghasa defiantly faces the Atlantic Ocean.

 

Sitting safely away from the cliff’s edge for this photo op

 

Two young women from a group of college-aged students from South Africa decided to cool off a bit

 

While waiting for the ferry to return us to Galway, a man pulled out his accordion and this couple danced (click on the photo for a short video)

 

A few minutes later, the man changed his shoes and treated us to Irish dancing (click on photo for the video)

 

Upon finishing my Connemara tour late yesterday, I began exploring Galway City by wandering around with no particular destination in mind.  Today, I followed an audio tour which highlighted some of the key sites in the city.  Tour guide Derek Spillane provided clear walking instructions and intriguing stories.

The city has grown on me.  When I first arrived, I was a bit unimpressed.  Albeit, I had finished the Burren Way the day before and traveled by three busses to get here.  I think, therefore, that I was perhaps a tad travel tired and weary.  Hey, it happens!  🙂

My walk started both days from Eyre Square

 

Irish writer Oscar Wilde and the Estonian writer Eduard Vilde sitting on a bench – although they never actually met

 

The Latin Quarter where most tourists hang out – and where I might have had a beverage…or two…

 

So many murals!  Two of my favorites.

 

 

Walking along the canal with the Cathedral in the distance

 

The lighting in this Cathedral impressed me – and the Cathedral itself was beautiful yet understated – pretty and amazing

 

After the Cathedral, I continued on the canal trail

 

 

 

Old wall of the city

 

The reason Ireland is so green…

 

To escape the rain, I stepped over Remy, the St. Bernard guarding Monroe’s Tavern

 

Monroe’s Tavern

Sometimes I don’t make it easy on myself.  Tonight, after a FABULOUS day exploring Connemara, I realized I had 144 photos to review! 🤣

This morning with five other intelligent, kind, and fun tourists, Mike – our driver and tour guide – took us in a small bus to the region of Connemara.  We stopped at multiple places to take pictures, discuss the flora and fauna, and learn about the lifestyle and culture of those living in this region of Ireland. 

What surprised me the most is how my expectation of Ireland is so different from the reality.  Before this trip, I thought Ireland = green rolling hills.  Although I’ve seen these, I’ve also seen almost desert-like landscapes.  In some locales, the soil is so thin, nothing grows except, perhaps, a bit of grass.  However, the sheep and cows eat the meager grass, leaving brown, almost barren, vistas.

Connemara has many lakes, all of which ultimately flow into Galway and the Atlantic Ocean

 

Green – but not the rolling hills I incorrectly thought I’d see throughout Ireland 🙂

 

Connemara is Irish for “Inlets of the Sea”

 

Connemara ponies, a specialized breed, are known for their athleticism, versatility and good disposition

 

Although we had the option to spend three hours hiking Diamond Hill in Connemara National Park, the high winds, a remnant of Storm Kathleen, convinced the six of us to choose Option 2:  Kylemore Abbey

“Kylemore Castle was built in the late 1800s by Mitchell Henry MP, a wealthy businessman, and liberal politician. Henry poured his life’s energy into creating an estate that would showcase what could be achieved in the remote wilds of Connemara. Today Kylemore Abbey is owned and run by the Benedictine community who have been in residence here since 1920.” [https://www.kylemoreabbey.com/about]

 

Kylemore Victorian Walled Gardens

 

 

Castle grounds

 

 

In Kylemore’s Gothic Church, marble pillars from each of the four marble regions of Ireland:  green from Connemara, black from Kilkenny, red from Cork and white from Tyrone

 

Kylemore apple pie with warm custard – recommended by multiple people!

 

Hahaha!

 

On the Quiet Man Bridge, used in the 1960’s John Wayne movie of the same name

Phase 4 of my Ireland adventure blew in with named storm Kathleen.  Rain and lots of gusty winds solidified my resolve for today to be a “zero day” – a day of rest and relaxation.

After a wonderful breakfast at my inn in Corofin, the proprietor dropped me off in the village to catch my bus to Ennis.  Soon, my bus to Galway arrived.  In Galway, I figured out how to get a physical bus pass and which bus line to take from Galway to Salthill, the outlying beach community where I’m staying.

The Nest Boutique Hostel, my home for Phase 4, includes a friendly atmosphere, warm common area (where I’m sitting as I type this), a cafe, a kitchen, and my single en-suite bedroom.  Perfect!

Sipping tea in the hostel’s cafe while firming my plans for this phase

 

I ventured out in the wind, thinking I might walk the promenade

 

This little woman’s family helped her to their car so she wouldn’t blow away

 

Deciding the wind was too strong, I popped into another cafe for more tea and a cookie…then returned to my hostel for a nap.  Following my nap and a pint and chowder at a pub, I walked down to the promenade at sunset to be greeted by a rainbow.

 

Salthill is renowned for its captivating promenade and numerous sandy beaches, creating a fun environment – when it’s not stormy

 

Sunset from Salthill promenade 🙂