Blogs from Donegal, County Donegal, Ireland, Europe - page 2

They say a week in politics is a long time. It stands to reason then that 2 weeks in travel can be an eternity. In early August it was all hustle and bustle and the thrill of London 2012. 80,000 in a packed athletics stadium – almost half the population of County Donegal . Noise. Excitement. Donegal was therefore the peace and quiet and relaxation. Empty beaches. Fresh air. No more of the trinket world in Knock. Ever been to Rossnowlagh …………….. Ireland ’s answer to Broome? There are no camels on the beach, but tucked away behind the Sandhouse Hotel on the 3 kilometres of sand are more cars than the average side road in these parts will see in a year. It is quoted as one of Europe ’s best Blue Flag surfing beaches ... read more

Depart portnoo at 10.30 and arrived aranmore 17.30 . we covered 15miles in 7 hrs...the day began almost too well in bright sunshine. we raced along at 6kknts towards the tip of Aranmore in a northern breeze. From the southern tip of Aranmore to Tory is only 20 miles we decided to continue about 8 miles west so that when we tacked we could make tory.As we headed west the wind freshened to a good force 5 and the wind veered NE. this sank our hope of making tory. we decided to make for Aranmore instead. for hour after hour we beat into the NE wind b4 rounding the northern end of the island, picking up the transits and finding some visitor moorings sth of calf island. Sally had her hand on the tiller for 7 ... read more

As the last of the visiting Americans departed the pristine coach, I watched as one by one they ambled towards the waiting craft shop and tea rooms, where piped Irish music reminded them that they had made it to the heritage town of Aradra, which sits on the edge of the Atlantic in Donegal, Ireland. The coach arrives each day during Summer, with different passengers of course, although mandatory name tags give away the fact that they are on a pre planned holiday. With limited time, they purchase the Arran jumpers on display and many look over at the nearby bars, but opt instead for the tea and scones on offer. On a a few occasions I have seen a few brave souls waltz into the heart of town, ignoring the craft shop and finding themselves ... read more

Geo: 54.66, -8.12Donegal, Republic of IrelandWe made a quick stop just outside of Strobane for a photo op of the 5 metal statues representing the unification of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland though the use of song, dance, and music. We then past some more small towns and arrived in Donegal at 12:45 p.m. We had until 2:05 to grab some lunch, site see, and shop. Now that we are in the Republic of Ireland, we no longer can use the pound notes of the UK, but European Dollars or Euros. So I had to go to an ATM machine to draw out some money. I found some items regarding the Bradley and Collins family and then grabbed a bite to eat. I went into a pub/restaurant and expected to hear Irish music. Instead ... read more

(From Notes left on the carving of a hooded hawk/human fashioned by the Poet, Wood Carver, Human Trove of Gaelic Lore and World Class Storyteller Michael Quirke) DOWA-COO Where is wisdom to be found? Irish File (Fill-leh: Poet Seer) answers: "LOOK WITHIN"... here in Sligo Sycamore Hero as hawk flies into the heart of darkness, seizes CnoFeaso- nut of wisdom in Aidlind Ashling Dream Vision... Exits with dream intact on the obverse Dowa-Coo Darkwet hound Powers: Salmon of Wisdom Aswim into consciousness... 50/50 Linseed on Turpentine mix and brush Michael Quirke (PS Michael was describing the themes he has carved into his figure of the Dowar Coo. Some of his notes were in Gaelic, and there's no way I could transpose them.) At Temple House, outside of Sligo, near the ruins of an 11c templar castle, ... read more