Welcome Home, Mo Charas!

With the exception of Dave's unfortunate illness, it sounds as if you had a great time!

I was surprised to read that Malachy's shop was closed down in Roundstone the day you went. I thought he never closed. Maybe I just go at the right time for it to feel that way.

I am glad that you enjoyed Croughmore. If Dave had to get sick anywhere, Croughmore on Ann's watch couldn't have been a better choice. I had forgotten you were staying at the Buttermilk! Have they added to their cow motif? For a time, guests would send them something cow related from their home country/state.

Was it O'Callaghan's Deli & Bakery by any chance that you were trying to recall in Mitchelstown? They've great baked goods and great eat-in menu, as well. It would be on the main road, right side, if you were heading towards Dublin.

Dave is on the mend and feeling better, I hope? I didn't realize you had done a hospital visit, as well. Poor dear! I was a bit concerned with your return trip, as a good deal of the airlines seem to be cancelling and/or delaying flights.

Slan agus Barrogs,  Bit 

Thanks Bit and Michele for your comments. I do have to put the links for the cottages/B&B's. I didn't have the cards at hand when I wrote the email. Bit: Mularchy and Gifty, Roundstone, were probably at the parade in Clifden. You are right, tho, they usually don't close the shop....Yes, Ann, did job of watching over Dave. She is just so sweet, and Liam is so much fun. Buttermilk is still collecting cows, but I am not sure how many since you were there -- BUT there are a LOT. I just loved their cozy room with fireplace. O'Callaghan's Deli & Bakery--you got it! WHAT a memory. Food is still excellent as is the bakery goods. Waiting for 4 hrs. at Newark -- Continental left early each flight and had someone for the S.F. flight really yell at them. I didn't blame him -- they DID leave early. We had to wait for a man and his son to board. THEN, after the plane was pulling away -- they demanded to get off! By the time we took off it was one hr. late. We sure did have a wonderful landing in Portland, like floating on a cloud - don't know how the pilot did it?? I'll be back with sites for the B/B's and Self catering places.....
youngka

if you can't get the Burren Self Catering place, try this: http://www.doonbeg-ireland.com/clare/burrenholidayhome/index.html

WCOMALLEY, thanks for your reply. I think I just had an ahhh haaa moment. Now I totally understand Bit's word "magic". Thanks for jaring my poor brain. In that case, I have experienced a lot of magic and have enjoyed every bit of it! ---- No pun intended, Bit :)
Going for another month in May '09. We WILL see the Burren at that time....
youngka

Michele, Thanks a LOT for the info. I was wondering what that was for. I read the instructions on how to use the "reply" section. I kept trying to use the icons. There was that very nice restaurant and B/B on the coast above the Cliffs and I am still searching for the names of each in my paper work. youngka

Hi, again, Here are some more sites to check out from our trip.

www.kinvara.com/accommodation -- Sheila Conneely, Proprietor. Very nice B/B on the Coast above the Cliffs. She is very flexible regarding breakfast and serves a wonderful one. We had a very good time visiting with her, as I mentioned in my posting, above, about our trip. She will, this Summer, be renting an apartment that is set aside from the house, but on her same propery

www.therockshop.ie Adam Johnson, Director. This shop is just below the Cliffs on the same road. There is a very wide selection of Connemara marble, salt lamps, jewelry, post cards - gift shop things in general. In the summer they also open their cafe which is in the same building. Bathrooms included.

www.offthesquarebistro.com Clifden in the Connemara Region. We always try to get to Clifden each year for many places but love this place to eat. Clifden town has many shops and restaurants but this one is our favorite. In the hotel, across from the large grocery store, you can find a wonderful dinner -- very nice setting -- and the place is called The Brown Room (Brown something), can't miss it. They have a very nice bar area also. Food is on the high side but excellent.

If you are in Roundstone, Connemarra Region, be sure and check out both Roundstone Ceramics & Malachy Kearns Roundstone Music, Crafts & Fashion -- books too!, and Roundstone Ceramics right next door - owned by Seamus Laffan & Rose O'Toole--(Handcrafted Stoneware & Sculpture and ceramics). The shop has lots of nice stoneware and jewelry enamel. Rose is sure nice and helps you with anything. The shop is small, but worth going to.

Sorry to put things in bits and pieces. Just got this information from the Shiela at Conneely's B&B. The place we ate in Kinvara was http://www.kinvara.com/eatpierhead.html. A bit pricey, but well worth the cost. This is where I got the wonderful crab cakes......
Youngka

 

-- Edited by youngka at 15:43, 2008-04-13

Michele, thanks for doing this. I better ask my husband to teach me......youngka This will be a big help to others

www.clareireland.net/burrenholidayhome/house.htm