Late May 2011 trip - I'm bringing a newbie to Ireland! West and northwest.

EngagingKate · Senior Member

RE: Late May 2011 trip - I'm bringing a newbie to Ireland! West and northwest.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Christy -- Spent about an hour writing a detailed list of rec's, annotated with info links and links to my photos -- jumping from TAB to Tab to get spelling and links correct --LOST IT ALL, when I clicked the Google link while on the WRONG TAB!!!!! furious

Soooooo ... Let's try this, AGAIN! confuse

In Antrim -- The Dark Hedges: http://www.flickr.com/photos/itallian_chauffeur/780859908/in/set-72157600769833589/

And, if you follow Michele's directions, when you drive through Armoy, take the short detour East on the Glenshesk Road to the Round Tower....

Donegal:

Grianan Aileach :

http://www.flickr.com/photos/itallian_chauffeur/779904969/in/set-72157600769833589/

On the road to Teelin:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/itallian_chauffeur/779856107/in/set-72157600769833589/

Bruckles Round Tower

http://www.flickr.com/photos/itallian_chauffeur/780724048/in/set-72157600769833589/

Glencolumbkille: see Father McDyer's Village (check out the beack at the car park, opposite. Also be sure to follow the signs to the Holy Sites throughout the village.

http://www.glenfolkvillage.com/home.htm

http://www.flickr.com/photos/itallian_chauffeur/779888385/in/set-72157600769833589/

Mayo/Galway:

From Westport, drive past the Famine Ship Memorial (opposite the car park for Croagh Patrick and go to Louisburg. Drive the R335 to Lenane, via Delphi, through the Doo Lough Valley. When the R335 connects to the N59 at Ashleigh Falls and Killary Fjord:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/itallian_chauffeur/2654077757/in/set-72157606082291641/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/itallian_chauffeur/2654079187/in/set-72157606082291641/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/itallian_chauffeur/2654879106/in/set-72157606082291641/

http://www.castlebar.ie/news/article_1515.shtml

More to come ..... biggrin

Bob

-- Edited by Itallian Chauffeur on Tuesday 18th of January 2011 11:19:34 PM

Green Dragon · Guru

You guys rock so hard :)

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

As promised --- More!

In Clare: Caherconnell (Near Poulnabrone)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/itallian_chauffeur/4916562581/in/set-72157624659127325/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/itallian_chauffeur/4916565731/in/set-72157624659127325/

As mentioned elsewhere, Kilmacduagh: Be sure to purchace the pamphlet from the house across the street. I think it's either 1 Euro 50 or 2 Euro and the woman appreciates correct change ... biggrin

http://www.flickr.com/photos/itallian_chauffeur/4916520033/in/set-72157624659127325/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/itallian_chauffeur/4917112490/in/set-72157624659127325/

Loop Head:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/itallian_chauffeur/4917035910/in/set-72157624659127325/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/itallian_chauffeur/4916563175/in/set-72157624659127325/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/itallian_chauffeur/4917067800/in/set-72157624659127325/

More to come ....

Bob

EngagingKate · Senior Member

Doo Lough pass (from Louisberg to Leenane - or vice versa) is one of our favorite drives. If you have time, pull off to the side of the road and walk up to Aasleagh Falls. It only takes a few minutes, and it's a nice photo opp!

You'll also see Aasleagh Falls on postcards all over the country. There's a fly fisherman right there at the falls... And keep your eyes peeled for the famine memorial markers. Here's an interesting article about the "Doolough Tragedy" that is commemorated with an annual famine walk: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doolough_Tragedy.

K

Green Dragon · Guru

(busily taking notes)

CowboyCraic · Guru

Me thinks you will need two months, a chara...not weeks... but isn't that always the case when Ireland takes hold? biggrin

Another good day trip in Co Donegal is the Sheskin More Nature Reserve. It is Northwest of Ardara on the PortNoo road.

Eas a`Ranca Waterfall is on the way to the Maghera Caves. I wasn't able to make it the last time to the caves because of the road condition after all the rains. The Caves are only accessible at low tide but they are amazing.

-- Edited by CowboyCraic on Thursday 20th of January 2011 03:28:30 PM

Green Dragon · Guru

Oooh! Sea caves! (on list now!)

I had Father Dyer's village as 'Folk Park', - hadn't remembered his name.

Also, how did I miss Grianan Aileach? That's been at the top of my list since I knew I was going to Donegal!

I'd been to Caherconnell last time I was in The Burren, great place...and since we will definitely be going back to Poulnabrone, no sense in missing Caherconnell :)

Doo Lough is added as well :)

The Dark Hedges is another place I'm anxious to see - since it is obviously such a dramatic place for photos! Hope the weather cooperates with me for this trip...

Kim is definitely a no go - more senior nurses already snapped up May vacation time :( So it's back down to Vicki and me, definitely, and Annalisa if she can get the time off.

Roy · Guru

EngagingKate wrote:

Doo Lough pass (from Louisberg to Leenane - or vice versa) is one of our favorite drives. If you have time, pull off to the side of the road and walk up to Aasleagh Falls. It only takes a few minutes, and it's a nice photo opp!

You'll also see Aasleagh Falls on postcards all over the country. There's a fly fisherman right there at the falls... And keep your eyes peeled for the famine memorial markers. Here's an interesting article about the "Doolough Tragedy" that is commemorated with an annual famine walk: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doolough_Tragedy.

K
We drove from Westport to Louisberg in 2009 but your suggestions have put it on my wish list for our trip this year with the Famine Marker Walk sounding good as well as trying to find Aasleagh Falls.

Green Dragon · Guru

I just got (on Amazon) a wonderful photo book called From High Places. It's a book of photos and commentary of Ireland's mountains by Adrian Hendroff. Gorgeous pics! He also gives maps of where the walks/mountains are, so you can go see yourself. I'm devouring it :)

EngagingKate · Senior Member

Roy,

You'll drive right by Aasleagh Falls on the R336. If you're coming from the north, you'll get to the falls just before you turn right to get on the N59 heading into Leenane. Coming from the south, of course, it's on your left just a short way after you turn off the N59 onto the R336 heading toward Doo Lough...

I'm not sure I'd want to walk the Famine Walk route. If you stopped at Doo Lough, you'd miss the really lovely part of the area between Doo Lough and Leenane (which is the prettiest part, in my opinion.

Christy,

That book looks lovely! I'd like to see it up close and personal. Unfortunately, book buying is not in the cards for me right now (except textbooks for my classes for this semester - lol). Sigh...

Green Dragon · Guru

Kate, it JUST came out (like last month) so there is plenty of time to get it later. It is lovely, and well worth the price. 230 pages, and beautiful photos on every page. And I'm picky about what I call beautiful photos!

The author has climbed all 268 listed mountains in Ireland.

Roy · Guru

Thanks, Kate. Maybe we will end up taking short walks along our drive.

CowboyCraic · Guru

Christy, a chara,

I was just watching a favorite movie last night, Secret of Roan Inish, and was reminded that it is shot up in Donegal country. If you go to Sheskin, that is the area in which it was filmed, around PortNoo and Rossbeg.

At lowtide, you can walk out to Inish Keel, which has some great ruins, churches, holy wells and the sort.

Slan Agus Barrogs,

Bit

Green Dragon · Guru

Oh, I loved that movie! And I want to go to PortNoo just because of the cool name :P I read about Inish Keel before... hehehe more stuff!

There is a great place on the north coast of Scotland I had to visit for it's name. Smoo Cave. It has an underground waterfall in a cave that opens up to the sea. We had it to ourselves - awesome place!

CowboyCraic · Guru

A Chara,

I want to go to Smoo!!! biggrin

PortNoo is quite small. Naran, just the other side of it is a bit larger.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

That's a GREAT link, Bit! smile

If you click on the Google Map Link, Christy, it details all the Glencolumbcille sites.

Station #4 is the site of the "Wishing Stone" -- be sure to avail yourself of the opportunity ... biggrin

Bob

Green Dragon · Guru

Pic I took of Smoo Cave:

Underground waterfall:
http://www.greendragonartist.com/Galleries/Small%20Images/HDR/SmooWaterfallsmall.jpg

Looking out to the sea from inside the cave:
http://www.greendragonartist.com/Galleries/Small%20Images/Scotland/LewisViaSmoo9.jpg

CowboyCraic · Guru

I love that site, Bob. He gives such great descriptions! I also love the fact that he gives thorough directions, including to ask at the farmhouses before venturing into their fields.

Christy, go raibh mil maith agat for the photos! They are terrific! Now I really want to see Smoo!

Green Dragon · Guru

Added to my list, definitely. I loved the pics of the older carved stone crosses. I have a soft spot for them - standing firm and strong through the centuries.

EngagingKate · Senior Member

RE: Late May 2011 trip

murphy · Guru

Late May 2011 trip - I'm bringing a newbie to Ireland! West and northwest.

Roy · Guru

My wife has said she could never return to live in Ireland due to the lack of abundant sunshine. She grew up in Co. Westmeath and lived in Dublin her adult life before coming to the states in her mid-thirties.

CowboyCraic · Guru

I have often dreamed of having a month over where I just followed along through Jim's site. There are certainly enough temptations in each County to keep a person busy!

As to Inis Caoil, I am not too sure that there isn't still a perplexed look on the face of the shopkeeper I spoke with on my visit in 2009. I asked if there was a way to camp out on Inis Caoil for an overnight. They, looking at me as if I were quite touched, asked "Why would you want to do that?" My reply, "To listen to the old ones tell their stories, of course". Fair warning, you will lose track of time on Inis Caoil.

To Roy, I come from a land of abundant sunshine, Arizona. I will take the clouds and rains of Ireland and the bluster of Donegal hands down. biggrin

-- Edited by CowboyCraic on Tuesday 25th of January 2011 10:19:36 AM

Green Dragon · Guru

And I! I grew up in Miami. I will gladly trade the endless days of 95 degree weather and 110% humidity for the cool, green hills and blustery days of Ireland.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Christy,

I grew up in Miami too. Small world. It used to be great in the 50s and 60s. Not so much after the Marielle boat lift.

Michele

Green Dragon · Guru

I moved down there in 1978, totally against my will (I was 8!) from Dearborn, Michigan. I sweat at 70 degrees - I much prefer the cooler weather!

EngagingKate · Senior Member

Dan,

That's funny what you said about the hobby. It's really kind of true, though...

My view on moving to Ireland is that it would be the perfect jumping-off point to see all the rest of Europe. We could see a lot in one week, if we were already in Europe!

Roy & Bit,

I understand about the dreariness issue, but I think I would not have a problem with it. I live in Idaho. This is the high desert, so in the summer, it's like Phoenix here. Day after day after day of not a cloud in the sky and 100+ degree temps. It's enough to make a person crazy!

I grew up in Wisconsin with hot, humid summers and long, dark, arctic-cold winters. But at least there was some variation in the weather.

Christy,

I'm like you. I am best when the temperature is between 55 and 75. Much warmer than that, and I get uncomfortable. But I can take cooler than that. I keep warning my husband that my normal temperature runs so hot, when I finally hit menopause, he's going to come home one day to just a pile of ashes and my shoes, because I'll get a hot flash and spontaneously combust!

Maybe I would be happy spending half the year in Ireland and the other half in southern Italy... :)

murphy · Guru

Kate,

I understand your concerns about excess heat. After living in Nebraska for 39 years, I was happy to move to the Pacific NW where we never have 90-105 degree temps with 90% humidity. Our climate here on the coast of West Central Washington State is so similar to the Isle of Ireland, it is uncanny. I guess we both have a big "puddle" to the west of us, and we get the cool moist Pineapple express from Hawaii, and they get the one from the Gulf. Climate-wise, I could fit right in over there. That being said, we gets our sun-fix in the winter by vacationing in Arizona (when not in Ireland) when ever possible. When we were in Ireland in Aug of 09, we ran into many Italians visiting Ireland to escape the heat. We found out that the Irish like to go to Spain or Italy in the winter to escape the cold and rain and to get some sun! They say: "the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence!"

We invested in a small property in Arizona (for retirement) a few years ago. I have been toying with the idea of trying to do a home exchange with someone in Ireland, since our AZ property is vacant 2-3 months in the winter. Has anyone on this forum had any experience with home exchanges, and do you think there would there be any demand for this by folks form Ireland? Just a thought.....Dan

-- Edited by murphy on Wednesday 26th of January 2011 12:58:38 AM

Michele Erdvig · Host

Dan,

I think that the Irish would jump at a chance of sunshine in Arizona in the winter time. I've never done a home exchange. It is definitely something for you to look into.

Michele