And they're racing at Galway!

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The Galway races are one of the premier annual events in Ireland, and it's fortunate my visit coincides with the week long festival taking place in this city on the west coast of Ireland. The fillies are out for a canter on the streets, with several dutifully escorted by dapper gents. Everyone in town looks a million bucks, er ... except me that is, but nevertheless I'm happy to join in the fun. The actual racing is comprised solely of hurdling, and Irish stayers are world renowned jumpers. I was fortunate to be in the pub on thursday to watch the biggest race of the week over a pint of guinness.

The last journal left off, dear reader, at the conclusion of our weekend away in Belgium. My dear friend and I returned to Paris, and next morning I bid a difficult farewell to her and boarded a flight to the Irish capital Dublin. A travel friend from Ireland walked down to welcome me at Trinity College, and we walked back to his house in the centre of Dublin. The lads put me up on the couch during my three day stay in Dublin, and it was great to see them again after our adventures in Latin America. We also shared a drink and a laugh when they visited Australia. The lads have settled into their careers now as professionals, and I was well impressed with their flash pad in the heart of this buzzing city. On the first night we went out to a few gorgeous Dublin traditional pubs for a pint of guinness. You need to have a few in fact because after all, guinness is good for you!

The Irish people are renowned for their breezy manner, love of a yarn and general fondness for the craic. It pays not to take yourself too seriously when travelling in Ireland, as one country bar owner cut me down to size good style when I was daft enough to ask for a beer at the bar. Clearly it should have been a lager, and your man was relentless in having a lend of me as his local customers loved it. One local tried to cheer me up by saying not to worry, it would only get worse. Finally I settled down at a table with my beer at what I thought to be the end of the barrage, when he calls out to me and says don't hesitate to ask for a refill while waving a baby bottle around. Your man was quite the character!

Anyways, back to Dublin and the lads. They headed out to work in the mornings, while I took off to explore. There's plenty to see in the heart of Dublin, and it was great to walk around the legendary Trinity College which is the home of the Book of Kells, and also to explore the tourist strip Temple Bar and the gorgeous St Stephen's Green park. But the highlights of my Dublin visit were firstly the superb tour of the Guinness storehouse. The tour winds up the floors and culminates on the seventh floor with 360 degree views of the city, and of course the best pint of guinness you're likely to enjoy. It was an enjoyable and educational experience. Secondly, I visited Kilmainham gaol and took the guided tour for another unforgettable experience. The two hundred year old prison has been at the heart of the Irish struggles for independence, and the guided tour is not to be missed. All the Irish resistance leaders on the long march to independence were imprisoned here, and many of the leaders from the 1916 Easter rising were executed by firing squad at the gaol. After those momentous events the people behind the independence movement in substantial numbers perhaps for the first time.

I bid a fond farewell to the lads over dinner, and jumped on the bus heading to Galway county, and the capital city of the same name the next morning. The west of Ireland is renowned for beautiful scenery, and it's been a mind blowing experience visiting this magnificent part of the world. I caught a ferry to Inishmor on the Aran Islands for a night and a day, and the wonderful islands feature spectacular scenery and a myriad of stone walls. The islands are also one of the remaining bastions of traditional Irish culture where the Irish language is commonly spoken. You can hire a bike if you wish, but I decided to go on beautiful walks in idyllic scenery. The trails I ventured on were absolutely gorgeous! But surely it can't get better? Believe it or not the answer is yes, as I headed up to Connemara and the Killary fjord, which is the only fjord in Ireland.

The bus ride up to Connemara wound through spectacular scenery, and the Sleepzone backpackers hostel was situated right on the banks of the fjord. I am in a good mood tonight, as I've just arrived back in Galway and will soon meet one of the Dublin lads for a pint. He is popping over on the bus to join in the craic of the Galway races, and today I completed one of the most magnificent walks I've experienced along the fjord. The scenery was absolutely phenomenal, and I hope some of the photos I took give an impression of a part of the world that is very special. I won't forget my visit to the Killary fjord, and the superb walk along the cliff tops featuring consistently spectacular scenery.

So this completes the first week of my travels in Ireland, and I'm settling in nicely to the pace of life in the country of my heritage. It's a great experience to witness shop signs advertising Rooney this or Rooney that, which brings home to me that Ireland is where it all began for my family in previous generations. Come and visit Ireland to experience the craic where, basically all of you should be here now!

Our only weapon is our refusal." Michael Collins

As I continue my travels, until next time it's signing off for now

Tom

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Photos

The Aran Islands, Ireland
Waking along the pebble beach on Inishmor, the largest of the islands.

Killary fjord
Towards the end of a majestic walk along the fjord. It has been a truly unforgettable travel experience.

Killary fjord at dusk
The hostel is right by the water in beautiful Connemara.

Connemara landscapes
Beautiful views while walking a trail not far from the hostel.

Skippy visits Ireland
"What is it Skip?"
"Yeah, what's the craic lads, mine's a pint!"

Guiness storehouse
Mine's a pint!

Comments

[Dave]

Ireland
It's good to see they are so welcoming to Rooney the lost convict.