The highest cliffs in Europe

On the road by 9,30 as intended, we made it to the ROI but enroute, found out our first boat tour was cancelled due to inclement weather, so we had a bit of time on out side before we headed to Sliabh Liag (Pron Sleeve Lee). We stopped at Lidl for snacks and drove to our tour destination. Sadly, Sarah has developed a tad of a cold, and is filling herself with vitamin C and some menthol throat lozenges.

Arriving at Sliabh Liag was strange as we emptied the car of snack and drink garbage only to discover the tourist centre does not have any form of garbage bin and you are not allowed to leave it anywhere. So we left it in the bathroom on site!

It was a bit dreary (overcast and windy) but the sum was trying. A quick 15 min bus drive and we were there, high up on a cliff surrounded by expansive rolling hills littered in heather and horned sheep. Getting close to the edge of the was a bit worrisome iecause the drop down to the ocean was a big one, but so very beautiful. Amanda and Sarah decided to hike to the summit, encountering several false summits, the wind was vicious and several occasions they had to hunker down to maintain their footing. It was stunning, but scary. After hiking 1km further up, they could not do the final summit due to the exceedingly strong winds, so about 100ft short of the real summit and it started to really rain. It was decided the final climb was no worth the risk. The rain, cloud, and wind seemed to be in for good and limited the view considerably. We met a local at the final false summit who. Said it was a shame you could not see, because whatever you imagined the view to be, it was considerably more beautiful, in fact, thing you could imagine would do it justice. Disappointed but also slightly scared, we decided to start the down trek.

By the time we reached near the bus pick up poin, we were beyond wet and windswept, we found Tash relaxing far too close to the edge of the highest cliffs in Europe, leaning precariously on a large rock that looked that it might roll over the edge at any moment.

A few more photos at said precarious rock, overlooking the beautiful sea and we still had another ten mins in the rain and wind before the bus returned. After a lobster roll, we took refuge on the bus and we were all smelling a it wet dog like, some more than others.

After getting back to the car, we turned the engine on, only to discover we had another low tire! We had quite a distance to go before reaching a Cirkle K to pay 3 euros for air, where we also had the choice of using fragrance. Tash did herr best work for the second time and got the tire filled, estimating we had another 15th before needing to refill.

A rainy drive back, Sarah having a little sleep with her mouth open, we made it to The Kees hotel! A beautiful quaint (but large) ivy covered hotel and restaurant. This time our triple room was entirely perfect and we automatically gravitated to our preferred sleeping locations within the bed configuration without a word said.

It’s 11.40ppm, and we have just returned from quite possibly he best night of the vacation - its going to are quite a lot to beat it! Tash had researched a traditional Irish bar with live using called The Reel. First of all, it was adorable to see Sarah nd Natasha in a pub, entirely unfamiliar with pub protocol. It’s of course o different from Canada, the English/irish pub scene means paying at the bar and getting rounds and eating scampi fries. We did all of those things, the best part was by far the music. We met a Rebel Army man, who Sarah and Natasha said had mad eyed due to his PTSD - Amanda thought that although he was far too drunk and clearly trying to pull, he was harmless. It was difficult to understand his thick accent buyt he was a fan of Canada, but very time he spoke, we got a heft dose of spittle. We refused his advances and eventually, after telling AManda Ashe looked like STevie NIcks, he was on his way, leaving us to enjoy the ballad music. The place was a packed, a complete mix of locals and visitors from all over the world it seemed. The band playing, were superb, made up of an older man in hisn60’s, a middle aged man in his 40’s and about a 10 year old boy. The oldest man was playing the guitars and the harmonica, the middle aged man was sitting on an upturned wooden box with a small blanket on it, that he drummed a beat on thte front side between his legs, the adorable ten year old was playing a banjo!

Apparently, with Amanda’s 80’s hair, she looked like a local and was asked by the drunk rebel soldier if she was a local or just visiting family. It turns out, it is customary that if a man places a flat cap on your head, it is an invitation to dance! Amanda accepted the challenge offered by an 80 year old local with limited teeth, she danced and smiled and loved being temporarily Irish.

Tash became a fan of Guinness and enjoyed 2.5 pints, Sarah relax and was entirely a good sport with her cough and cold, Amanda had s couple of glasses of wine and eventually, it was time to get going, after. Ordering a pizza from PizzaMax before the 28km drive home.

Such a a fun night, if the evening experience could have been bottled, we would have done it - definitely a night to remember!Read more