UK Roadtrip Take Two - Galway to Sligo

26th September

This morning we packed up our gear, and loaded it all into the car, by now Nanny was a bit squished on the back seat, farewelled Orla, the friend we had been staying with and begun our trip to Sligo. Sligo is a coastal seaport and the county town of County Sligo, within the western province of Connacht. Situated on a coastal plain facing the Atlantic Ocean, Sligo is located on low gravel hills on the banks of the Garavogue River between Lough Gill and the estuary leading to Sligo Bay. The town is surrounded by numerous mountains, with the ridges of Slieve Daeane and Killery Mountain to the southeast, Cope’s and Keelogyboy Mountains to the northeast and the distinctive mountains of Knocknarea to the west and Benbulben to the north. With a population of approximately 20,000 in 2016, it is the second largest urban centre in the West of Ireland, with only Galway being larger.  Our decision to stop off here for the night was purely made as it was too far to drive directly to Derry from Galway in the round-a-bout sort of fashion we like drive, and though we (sort of) drove straight there, it still took us all day to reach the town with all the stops we make!

Taking the M17 as far as Tuam, we detoured off onto the N5 to Castlebar, before heading up to Charlestown and finishing in Sligo.  Along the way we found several little shops and town streets to wander. 

Once arriving in Sligo, we drove through the main streets of town and had a bit of a walk through here too.  We decided to stop off at the central Tescos and pick up a few supplies before heading to our accommodation as we didn't know what would be around the place we were staying. When I mapped where the apartment was, it was literally around the corner from Tescos, on one of the main streets of town.  Nothing like being central!

Sligo

Sligo

UK Roadtrip Take Two - The Cliffs of Moher

24th September


After spending the night in a princess bed, in the mansion, we were every bit the lazy aristocrats in getting up and out the door this morning! So much so that there was no dilly dallying on the drive to the Cliffs of Moher. 


Our tickets were valid for 0800 to 1059, and we cut it close pulling into the carpark and getting our tickets scanned at 1055. No speeding I promise!


The Cliffs of Moher are sea cliffs located at the southwestern edge of the Burren region in County Clare. They run for about 14 kilometres. At their southern end, they rise 120 metres above the Atlantic Ocean at Hag's Head, and, eight kilometres to the north, reach their maximum height of 214 metres just north of O'Brien's Tower, a round stone tower near the midpoint of the cliffs, built in 1835 by Sir Cornelius O'Brien, then continue at lower heights. The closest settlements are Liscannor (6 km south) and Doolin (7 km north). From the cliffs today with the beautiful weather and little winds, we could see the Aran Islands in Galway Bay.  The cliffs rank among the most visited tourist sites in Ireland, with around 1.5 million visits per annum, and are a must visit when visiting Ireland.


We took the long scenic route up the coast line into Galway once we finished up at the Cliffs about mid afternoon.  For a way we followed the tourist coaches and stopped in the small towns we passed through.  All the towns were very little, generally having a few houses, a corner shop and of course a pub!


Galway lies on the River Corrib between Lough Corrib and Galway Bay, surrounded by County Galway, and is the sixth most populous city in Ireland.  We parked and wandered through the pedestrian shopping streets and Eyre Square, before stopping for some dinner in a local pub on our way home!

The Cliffs of Moher

The Cliffs of Moher and O'Brien's Tower

Galway

Eyre Square

UK Roadtrip Take Two - Blarney to Galway

23rd September




Sleeping in a little late this morning, it was a bit of a rush to shower, dress, pack the car and get on the road.  Thankfully, our first stop was only down the road in the centre of Blarney, aptly named Blarney Castle.




Blarney Castle is a medieval stronghold near the River Martin.  Though earlier notifications were built on the same spot, the current keep was built by the MacCarthy of Muskerry dynasty, a cadet branch of the Kings of Desmond, and dates from 1446.  The castle is now a partial ruin with some accessible rooms and battlements. At the top of the castle lies the Stone of Eloquence, better known as the Blarney Stone. Tourists visiting Blarney Castle may hang upside-down over a sheer drop to kiss the stone, which is said to give the gift of eloquence. There are many versions of the origin of the stone, including a claim that it was the Lia Fáil — a numinous stone upon which Irish kings were crowned. Surrounding the castle are extensive gardens. There are paths touring the grounds with signs pointing out the various attractions such as several natural rock formations with fanciful names such as Druid's Circle, Witch's Cave and the Wishing Steps. The grounds include a poison garden with a number of poisonous plants, including wolfsbane, mandrake, ricin and opium, as well as cannabis.


After making the climb to the top of the castle, a feat in itself with crutches and a broken heel, as the narrow spiral staircases didn't have the best of steps! Mum and I kissed the Blarney Stone and made our way back down some more narrow staircases.  We did a quick self guided tour of the grounds and gardens before collecting Nan from the coffee shop (she didn't want to climb the castle!) and hoping back into the car.


Cahir Castle and the surrounding town of Cahir.  Cahir Castle is one of the largest castles in Ireland, is sited on an island in the river Suir. It was built from 1142 by Conor O'Brien, Prince of Thomond. The castle was sited on and near an earlier native fortification known as a cathair (stone fort), which gave its name to the place. 


We stopped for a pot of tea and a scone in Cahir to refuel ourselves before moving on to our next stop. 


The Rock of Cashel, also known as Cashel of the Kings and St. Patrick's Rock, is a historic site located at Cashel, County Tipperary. According to local mythology, the Rock of Cashel originated in the Devil's Bit, a mountain 30 km north of Cashel when St. Patrick banished Satan from a cave, resulting in the Rock's landing in Cashel. Cashel is reputed to be the site of the conversion of the King of Munster by St. Patrick in the 5th century. The Rock of Cashel was the traditional seat of the kings of Munster for several hundred years prior to the Norman invasion. In 1101, the King of Munster, Muirchertach Ua Briain, donated his fortress on the Rock to the Church. The picturesque complex has a character of its own and is one of the most remarkable collections of Celtic art and medieval architecture to be found anywhere in Europe.  Few remnants of the early structures survive; the majority of buildings on the current site date from the 12th and 13th centuries.




By the time we had finished at the Rock of Cashel, it was now late afternoon, and we departed on the 2 hour drive up to Galway where our next accommodation was, with a sister of a friend of Mums.  We had instructions to met her at Junction 16 off the M6, and knowing what she looked like we hoped we were going to be ok! Thankfully, we pulled into the shops at the Junction and found her straight away.  We then followed her down the goat paths and back alleys to her house where we were sleeping in the rooms on the third floor (not including the basement and cellar!).  A beautiful house, we spent the evening by the fireside with a glass of wine in Waterford Crystal glasses!

Our little house in Blarney

Blarney Castle

Blarney Caslte

 

Kissing the Stone

 

Cahir Castle

 

The Rock of Cashel

 

The Chapel at the Rock of Cashel