When I last posted, I had gone to the highest cliffs in all of Ireland (and one of the highest in all of Europe), Sliabh Liag (Slieve League), which was amazing. I plan to visit again and hike to the summit when it is less cold and windy. This stop was on my way to a more remote area called Gleann Cholm Cille (Clencolmcille). The area is a place where you will find many traditional irish traditions and language. It is named after one of three of Ireland's Patron saints, Sain Colm Cille. I stayed at a wonderful B&B outside of town. It was wonderful and I recommend you visit this area and stay here if you go to Ireland. The B&B is Aras Ghleann Cholm Cille (click the name to go to their website). The accommodations were great. I had a small room with bathroom and there is plenty of space to make your own food, or just enjoy sitting by the fire with a book or watching tv. I will talk more about the specifics of place (the family, the space) when I do a wrap up after my trip of favorite accommodations and places. I did meet a couple from Mansfield who were traveling for 3 weeks here. We had a good chat about genealogy, history, and the places we had visited. As I believe I said in my last post, I was rained in for the afternoon and evening (not just a sprinkle or passing showers, but DOWNPOURS). It was a great opportunity to go through photos and enjoy some tea by the fire. This trip has been fast paced from the start, so it was nice to relax,especially in such a welcoming and comfortable place. The next morning, I left and before I left the area, I went to the end of peninsula where the road ends. There was a beautiful cove called Silver Strand beach. The weather was the best it had been since I arrived so I took the opportunity to walk down to the beach and enjoy. On my way back down the road into town, I almost missed the faintest of rainbows out over the water. This is the good thing about the rain. :) I love when it looks like you're going to drive over the edge. No, seriously, I do. It's actually really cool...except for the fear that someone will be coming flying toward you in a big truck or van (or car) in the middle of the road while you are on the side where the edge is. But, hey, you get used to it! There is a little folk village near town that can be visited and toured, but their season ended a couple of days before I arrived. It is along the road, so I just snapped a pic of one of the cottages. I was heading toward Inishowen, which is Northeast from where I was. I traveled through the mountains to get there and it was beautiful! This next picture is right before I descended into a valley. You can see the twisting road in the second picture. Love the random waterfalls as you drive along. Another show of support for the Donegal team! I had to take a pic at this moment. Pouring rain with blue sky just ahead. (Yes, I am parked in this picture, not driving!) Roads like this were my favorite. except when a large tractor or really any vehicle was coming toward me. I know why they go through tires so easily and why they have accidents. I arrived just south of the peninsula to the hotel I was staying in. This would be the first hotel I stayed at (and only booked it because it was the less expensive of all the places I looked at for the area). I went to see an old (and large) ring fort and there were amazing views of Inch Island and Inishowen Peninsula (to the right). I next went to drive the coast of the peninsula and check out the beautiful beaches and scenery. I had to take advantage of the blue skies! More rain meant more rainbows. I finished my day with some dinner and a Guinness. I hadn't had one in a few days and definitely cannot figure out how people drink so much of it. I love it, but it is way too heavy!
2 Comments
Anne McCarron
10/5/2012 01:28:24 pm
Your photos are absolutely beautiful, I hope that you had enjoyed your trip in spite of the rain as there is no place on earth as pretty as Ireland!
Reply
TO
10/11/2012 02:38:52 am
Back at my emails again" EXCELLENT" let's see what the next blog brings
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
May 2020
Categories
All
|