Blogs from County Mayo, Ireland, Europe - page 3

Sunday June 26th, 2011 Tulleague, County Mayo It is a fine fresh evening as we stare across the great expanse of the bog. Rows and rows of turf lie out searching for the sun to dry them in preparation for the long cold winter that lies ahead. Yes, they still burn the peat cut into small logs of “turf” here in the countryside. Every household has an allotment area in the bog where they cut their share of this ancient fuel to burn for warmth. As we become more absorbed and accepted into this way of life, you see that the fact that things have not changed for hundreds of years is not from ignorance or a stubborn mentality, but merely because they relish this slow and thoughtful lifestyle. The countryside is scarcely populated; most of ... read more

Day 25: Dublin-Ballindine We rose latish and, amazingly, navigated our way out of Dublin with hardly a wrong turn, and then set out on the road west to County Mayo. This is not a highway that ring-roads the population along the way, but allows you a glimpse of a succession of towns and villages. Often more than a glimpse, owing to the odd local traffic jam. The route featured a stop at a weekly village market that was possibly the smallest we’ve ever seen – one table of preserves and one of hand-knits – and elsewhere, two shop windows advertising specials on boys’ communion wear. The journey was about three hours’ drive, but with lunch break and a bit of a walk it was mid-afternoon when we arrived at our cottage accommodation for the next four ... read more

Geo: 53.5435, -9.28601 So, we left Derry for the last time this morning and headed for Sligo. I was feeling better from an entire night of nausea, but still worried it would happen again (and it did). Our first stop was a fort that overlooked Derry, Sligo and somewhere else (Donegal?). It was very freakin windy up there! It had these teeny little steps on the inside of the fort that you could use to climb to the top, but given the wind, was very easy to fall of. After that we went to Glencar Waterfall just in time to get rain and small hail poured on us. As we walked back to the bus, it was blue skies. Damn Irish weather. It can be pouring one sec and sunny the next. You just accept it ... read more

What a way to end! Everything had been leading up to this day, our stay at The Ashford Castle. One of Irelands Top 5 Hotels we were Literally Princesses for a whole 24 hours. Ireland’s grandest castle hotel, with a history going back to the early 13th century, Ashford is set in 350 acres of beautiful parkland. Grandeur, formality and tranquillity are the essential characteristicsthat you first see in the immaculately maintained grounds and, once inside, you feast your eyes on a succession of impressive public rooms that illustrate a long and proud history - panelled walls, oil paintings, suits of armour and magnificent fireplaces. It has changed hands many times throughout it's long history including been proudly owned by the Guiness Family. It is clear that all the detail, decor, service and manicured gardens make ... read more

A great big suprise in Knock! We all made our way to Stanstead early in the morning to suprise Kyle on his 30th Birthday. Once arriving at our desitination in Knock we were hit with a problem, one of our friends Roland from Namibia was not allowed to enter Ireland on his visa. So we got told to sit our in the airport waiting room to find out if he was alowed to enter into Ireland. Two hours later we managed to hire a 7 seater car and Kyle went and made a sign with Rolands name on it. One second later to our amazment Roland came though the door into Ireland. We all cheered! (if that wasnt the "Secret" we dont know what is). We then had the task of fitting 9 people into the ... read more