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Europe » Ireland » County Galway » Spidéal May 10th 2023

One of our guides in Northern Ireland, Brandon, told us about taking a basket making class in Spiddal, a craft village near Galway. We had seen it from the road when returning both from Inishmore and from Connemara and went out today. it was raining off and on but the village was designed to be walked around. The glass artist was closed but the potter, basket weaver, a couple painters, and the leather and Celtic coin jeweler were open. Had a great time in the jeweler’s shop, Eric Byrne. Got some Connemara marble earrings, a claddagh ring, And a couple old Irish coins from in Mikes birth year. We had a walking food tour scheduled for mid-afternoon and, after a rest, headed off to that. Great host, good food and drink, including a Guinness. Also nice ... read more
Basketweaver
Lots of Willow
Back in Galway

Europe » Ireland » County Galway » Galway May 9th 2023

We attended a cooking class at a private home out in the County. Katy had run her own shop in Galway for 15 years and 'sort of' retired. Sort of as in then started teaching classes out of her home and is busy most days. She and her helper, Valentina, organized us, told us how much to put in, how to mix the ingredients, then how to cut scones. After they went in, we chose the type of bread to make and did that. We got to taste the scones while the bread baked: hot, soft, tasty, perfect. We had taken a taxi out but the other folks who baked with us, a mother/daughter from Connecticut (the daughter had been a student here) gave us a ride back into town which was very generous of them. ... read more
First Step to Scones
Scones
crumbly is the goal

Europe » Ireland » County Galway » Galway May 8th 2023

After another nice breakfast at the B&B, we hopped on the Hop On Hop Off bus and rode around, to see what was what and quickly made friends with the driver. It was raining most of the time so we stayed under cover on the top level. Rode a bit later in the day and got some shots in the afternoon when clearer. went to the Sweater shop near the Spanish Arch; lots from which to choose. All available on the website, of course. Something to be said for buying them IN Ireland? Shipped home (“for free”) which helps you buy more! Went to McDonagh’s, recommended by every guidebook, for the fish and chips. The place opened at noon and, when we arrived at about ten after, was packed. Quick service; Mike had the oysters and ... read more
Cala lily in jfk park
Latin Quarter
Spanish Arch

Europe » Ireland » County Galway » Aran Islands May 7th 2023

There are three islands off the coast, the Aran Isles. For a day trip, we could only figure out going to Inishmore. If you stayed the night, you could then go on to another one or two the next day. We had booked the ferry before leaving home but didn't get it together to figure out the bus out to the dock in Rosaveel so we took a taxi out; the driver (playing Johnny Cash music most of the way) told us we could buy a return bus ticket at the ferry office and save money and time. We had to go in there and exchange our vouchers for tickets so we bought the bus tickets at the same time. Very friendly and efficient. I think the ride was about 50 minutes but, honestly, we fell ... read more
Our carriage awaits!
Inishmore it is
On the ferry, before we nodded off

Europe » Ireland » County Galway » Connemara May 6th 2023

We had reserved space on a full-day tour of Connemara. Turned out to be three of us in a minivan with tour guide Tony! We met him at the Cathedral, which was built in 1965 (just looks old). First stop was Aughnanure Castle, built by the Fearsome O'Flahertys in the 16th century. Close to the shores of Lough Corrib, which was a bit closer at the time, it fell in and out of O'Flaherty hands until transferred to the Office of Public Works. We had a great guide show us around and explain what we were seeing. There was the tower house, surrounded by a wall and a moat and dry dock. A banquet hall was added later, off to the side, and there was another wall farther out, between the house and the lake. Another ... read more
Aughnanure Castle
The moat
Tower House

Europe » Ireland » County Galway » Galway May 5th 2023

Train to Galway was a 2.5 hour ride West through the countryside, with a half dozen stops along the way. Got to the B&B and checked in then wandered back down to Eyre Square for late lunch/early dinner. Long day planned for tomorrow, bus tour out to Connemara.... read more
Galway arrival
Yeats College
Grilled Oysters

Europe » Ireland » County Dublin May 4th 2023

After breakfast, we took a cab from City North Hotel into the center of Dublin. Happily, there was another person in our group who needed to go into the city so we were able to share the fare. We checked our luggage at the Point A Hotel, near Parnell Square, then wandered down O'Connell St. We had purchased gifts for Mike's oncology team and wanted to put it in the mail. How convenient--post office right there and Eason's, a department store, with packaging supplies, just a few doors down. That mission accomplished, we headed on over the O'Connell Bridge and stopped at Fitzgerald's for a bit of lunch. We then hopped into a cab to go to Kilmainham Gaol, my goal for the day. Although it was a real jail and thousands of men, women, and ... read more
Court room
Corridor
Looking from the old into the new

Europe » Ireland » County Meath » Newgrange May 3rd 2023

Remember, you'll probably have to scroll down to see more photos. Bru na Boinne is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that preserves one of the most archaeologically significant prehistoric landscapes in the world. In addition to megalithic art, Bru na Boinne includes a number of Neolithic burial chambers. There was a Visitor Center then a good bit of a walk then a shuttle bus to one of the tombs. It's over 5,000 years old, perfectly catches the sunrise on the winter solstice, and is constructed from rock (some very large) and quartz from the surrounding hundreds of miles, an organized project for Stone Age people. This was the last full day with our Road Scholar tour. From Bru na Boinne, we drove towards Dublin for our last dinner at a hotel near the airport. After dinner, ... read more
From the side
Neolithic carvings
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Europe » Ireland » County Donegal May 1st 2023

Today, we left Northern Ireland and returned to the Republic of Ireland to Donegal. Why, if this is a tour of Northern Ireland? You might remember that when the country was partitioned and Northern Ireland was created, the counties that were to make up Northern Ireland were chosen specifically to provide a protestant majority. Donegal, which is part of Ulster, is mainly Catholic so was left in Ireland. The Good Friday Agreement specified that there would be no hard borders on the island. Again, we could tell we went from one to the other when the km became miles and the line down the side of the road changed color. We headed to Glenveagh National Park, formerly Glenveagh Castle. Situated on a lake, it is a beautiful locale. From Wikipedia (and the movie in the Visitor ... read more
Glenveagh path to Visitor Center
Glenveagh Castle
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Europe » Ireland » County Kerry March 24th 2023

We arrived in Dublin, Ireland by ferry at 12:30 on S. Patrick's Day. Truth be told this was never the intent of this trip, but once I started planning the trip I saw we'd be in the area for the holiday so I made sure we'd be in the capital for the celebration. We arrived in time to catch the end of the parade with our luggage still on our backs amidst hordes of green clad tourists from across the globe. We ventured out later in the evening and it seemed as thought the crowds had grown and you could scarcely move in the Temple Bar area. In hindsight a smaller city would have been a better and more genuine place to spend the day. The following morning we picked up our rental car and headed ... read more




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