The beginning of the Donegal visits, home of the All-Ireland winners!

This is a long one again! And I even tried to narrow down! I had time to go through the photos and upload this evening because it started pouring at 3:30 on my ride here and didn't stop. You last read that I was in Boyle, Roscommon where my nana's mother was born. I stayed at a wonderful B&B there. It was the Linsfort Guest House. The couple who runs it could not have been nicer or more helpful. I got there and Patricia got me some tea and showed me around. She also outlined everything on a map that I may like to see. Her husband, Michael was also great and I had a nice chat with them before I left in the morning. They gave me some more helpful info and suggestions for the rest of my trip. If you are every in Boyle, stay there!! The room was a great size and had stairs down to another small room with a twin bed and that room led to the bathroom. It was also one of the best breakfasts I have had here in Ireland. 

I believe I showed photos that I took in Boyle in the last post. If not, you will have to wait until I get home and upload all my pics to Facebook! I read about a place, Carrowmore, which is a megalithic cemetery. It is one of only four in ireland. Read about it here (very interesting!): Carrowmore. 

You'll notice i'm loving this perspective! This is amazing that this has lasted for so long.

So, I walk over to the most important Dolmen (they say it's the largest in ireland that has stayed perfectly preserved), and of course, there's cows just hanging out. 

I then stopped in Sligo to see Sligo Abbey. It was beautiful and you can only imagine how it looked before. 

The interesting part of this stone is that it had information removed. There is speculation that he may have been moved to another location. 

I next headed to Bundoran, where I would spend the night at the Bundoran Surf Co. It is a popular vacation spot in the summer and big surfing town. I got only a very short time before pouring rain hit for basically the rest of the day. Snapped a few pics though. 

The next pics are just of places in Bundoran and Donegal Town that were decorated (and some random pics in between) showing their fierce dedication and appreciation for their team that was competing in (and won) the All-Ireland on the 23rd. I wish I could have stopped and taken pictures on some of the roads where houses were decorated and big signs were in front of houses. 

I walked around town and found a beautiful church next to the river and then went on a little walk along the river. It was beautiful and led me out toward Donegal Bay. I then went to see the Abbey cemetery in Donegal Town as well. 

Next stop was Killybegs, Ireland's premier fishing port. I walked around a bit and had some lunch (fish of course!) and then headed off. 

My next stop and highlight of the day was the Slieve League Cliffs. I enjoyed this much more than the Cliffs of Moher and it is a MUST see. You hike up this road (or can drive) until you get to the view shown in the first pic below. You can then go higher (actually all the way to the summit of the cliffs themselves-which I will do the next time I come for sure-hopefully when it's not freezing and so windy since it's steep and narrow at times). I went a little higher but not all the way. The views were breathtaking. 

Last two for today: Sheep! I found this area to be where I saw the most sheep just hanging out by (or in) the road. I wil talk more about where I am now in the next post!