We arrived in Clifden 2pm Saturday with 3hours to kill before the HC rugby kick off. Chris wanted a rest so off I set into town. The fledh in full swing and folk dancing in the square great for them but not my thing any more, 30 minutes walking or 5 minutes dancing and that's it on a good day.

This was a good day so camera in hand off up to the Castle to take some pics. You park on the triangle sensibly unless you have a hire car which you don't mind blocking things up with your Hetz Renault.

There is a sign on the front at the top of the lane that states Private Entrance. Some people want to own the world but there is a foot traffic right of way provided you stay on the lane. This sign has the effect of keeping folk out as demonstrated by the continentals taking pictures of the Castellated arch from a distance and murmuring I did not understand as I smiled and wandered past onto the forbidden path.

Through the Arch past the new house on the other side and 20 yards on the hand made sign points to the castle, (probably to stop people going through the genuinely private gate. The laneway continues its loop downwards between the Standing Stones and on. Sensible shoes are needed, at the bottom of the path the fence was damaged clearly by those avoiding the puddles. Three sides of the castle can be approached the westward side being fenced of farm land. Few photos and back to the car.

Heading back toward Clifden I found a sensible parking place to go up to the Memorial. Again sensible shoes and follow the path (as far as it exists) take care the ground is rock and turf but the view from the top is worth the short walk.

As you can tell I was running out of steam by this point so will let the pictures do the talking.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/60242816@N02/sets/72157629816838412/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/60242816@N02/sets/72157629817795780/

Had food in Mannions and watched the match followed by music and craic in J Connelleys. I apologised half a dozen times for questioning those with white beards but @ killted was not amongst them.

What wonderful pictures! Keith and I wanted desperately to visit, but were totally confused by the "private property" signs and just viewed from the road above. From the looks of things it is quite a hike, so I'm not sure my knee would have survived...Just in case for our next trip, how far of a hike would you estimate it is?

Beautiful photos! Thank you for sharing. Yet something else "new" to see in Ireland for next time.