Ireland
County Mayo

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Top 10 Travel Destinations County Mayo
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    • Day 9

      A busy day - and our 15th Anniversary

      May 10, 2023 in Ireland ⋅ 🌧 54 °F

      ❗️Ooops ... if you were here before I finished updating everything...I have finally finished!

      _____________☘️☘️ ________________

      We were up early and out the door to see a stone circle and hoping to wake up the fairies! 🧚 I even got to open and close the gate in the rain so Richard could drive through.

      Driving through Moll's Gap, the Black Valley and the Gap of Dunloe was full of wonder and awe. The Black Valley was called this because it did not get electricity until the 1970's!! 😳

      Torc Waterfall in Kilnary National Park was outstanding. We were headed for a jaunty ride through the park, but I had to get a photo at Muckross Abbey. Richard did not want me to go to the abbey as he was sure we would be late for the jaunty ride. So, I hoofed it out there and back while he waited for me...and it was worth the huffing and puffing! We loved our jaunty ride (which we were on time for!!) with young Louis and horse, Francis. Louis is just 16 but is a 6th generation jaunty driver. When asked if he had a girlfriend, he said he likes the "catch and release" method. 😆

      We then went out on a boat tour of the lakes. There are 3 loughs (lakes) in the park. The most fascinating part was the copper mine that went between 2 small islands and connected under the lake!!

      After skipping over Kerry Peninsula, we headed for the Dingle Peninsula. First stop, Inch Beach, which is over 3 miles long, extending into the North Atlantic.

      Tom Crean was a member of 3 Antarctic expeditions starting in 1901 under the cammand of Capt. Robert Scott and Sir Ernest Shackleton. He was from Annascaul, a small village near Inch Beach. There is a great pub there called The South Pole Inn. Met some folks there who recommended a nearby beach. Bin Ban Beach was spectacular!

      After getting settled into our B&B, we headed out for dinner at a Michelin Star restaurant for our 15th anniversary dinner. We popped into Dick Mack's, a "famous" local pub for a pint for heading back to our B&B to wrap up our day.
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    • Day 5

      Westport

      May 17, 2023 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

      Die weite Strecke Richtung Süden war heute ziemlich öde. Dafür gab es in Westport aber jede Menge bunter Türen.
      Und die absurdesten Dekorationen und Inhalte. Ein Sortiment von Blumensamen zwischen Silberschmuck und Osterhasen. Alte Bücher und Haushaltsgeräte.Read more

    • Day 112

      Downpatrick Sea stack

      August 21, 2023 in Ireland ⋅ 🌬 17 °C

      Einer alten, lokalen Legende zufolge lebte dort ein Druidenhäuptling namens Crom Dubh. Er weigerte sich, zum Christentum zu konvertieren, der heilige Patrick schlug mit seinem Krummstab auf den Boden und der Stapel wurde vom Festland getrennt, sodass Crom Dubh oben sterbend zurückblieb.Read more

    • Day 14

      A stunning view, well won

      September 12, 2023 in Ireland ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C

      Bike circuit of the north part of Achill on quiet roads taking in Keel beach and a Banksy?, Dooagh beach and finally Keem beach (viewed from the top of a very big hill as we didnt fancy cycling down and then back up it). Absolutely stunning views looking south from Achill including a view of Clare island (tomorrow via the Dr's boat). There's so much to do here that we've decided to stay for another couple of days so we'll be leaving FriRead more

    • Day 15

      The Lighthouse and our journey to it

      September 13, 2023 in Ireland ⋅ 🌧 13 °C

      It was a wet, wet day with strong winds forecast for later (gulp). We waited on Achill for our ferry to arrive, dressed in full waterproof gear whilst eyeing the space left on the jetty (not much) and using it to estimate the size of the boat that we were entrusting our lives to. There was only one date available for this trip and that was today, when the Dr was visiting the island, So whatever the weather, if we were going then today was the day. We sat ready in our warm van and our little boat powered into view through the chop of the waves. All aboard (Dr and two students included) and we set off. Our crew were very cheerful (one was wearing a pirate hat) but after Clare accidentally convinced them that we were from Romania, conversation was a little stilted 😂. Seriously though they were great and their confidence as we headed out into the bigger waves was reassuring enough that we enjoyed the trip out. Now the trip back... was also fine apart from the first few minutes as we left the harbour. The stronger wind had whipped up the sea and we rolled about between what seemed like some pretty big waves that we couldn't take our eyes off as they quickly closed on the boat and lifted us high into the air. Once properly clear of the harbour the skipper gunned the engine and we sped home. We loved it, but it'll be a while before we get on a boat again 😁.
      The goal of the visit to Clare Island (apart from the fact it's called Clare) was to see the Lighthouse. One of Clare's friend's had told us that her grandmother had lived there in 1908, her father was the lighthouse keeper!
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    • Day 52

      Castle On The Hill - Ed Sheeran

      October 5, 2023 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

      We woke up in the dark this morning to catch our ride to Ashford Castle. The drive took three hours — others chatted as I napped. When we arrived, our driver Kieran was very kind and gave us a quick tour of the grounds before dropping us at The Lodge. For another 2 1/2 hours we sat in front of the fire, drinking and eating lunch. Around 2:10 we all put on waterproof gear to brave the outdoors, and the shuttle brought us to the falconry. We were met by our lovely guide Rory, who gave us a quick rundown of the birds before we took two hawks on a walk. It was incredible, having the hawks flying around and landing on your arm. After an amazing few hours, we went back to the Lodge and chilled. My parents and I got drinks at half six, then met Gram and Pop for dinner. Our meals were delicious and my risotto was unlike anything I’d had before. We ended the night downstairs for… more drinks!Read more

    • Day 72

      Whatever floats your goat

      November 14, 2023 in Ireland ⋅ 🌬 9 °C

      We enjoyed a carrot cake and coffee this morning in conclusion to us trying to find a bathroom, because the cafe that had said snacks had the magical and elusive throne.

      After wandering around we said goodbye to Westport and headed to Achill Island for our day of exploring. The first stop was the White Cliffs of Ashleam, which was stunning and very windy. After enjoying the views from the top we hiked below to explore the beach.

      After we frolicked on the beach we headed to Keel where we enjoyed our lunch overlooking another beach and lots of goats.

      From here we visited Keen beach before deciding we should find our accommodation for the night, we needed to find somewhere with a electric connection as we haven't had one for the past 3 nights. The first place we tried visiting had no one there to take our money, so we left the island and found a carpark with no facilities but they did offer a powered site for cheap!

      As we were now off the island we didn't want to drive too far to the next town so we enjoyed a dinner of cup a soup, boiled eggs and raw carrots - living a life of luxury.

      We spent the night relaxing and walking circles in the carpark (in the rain) to get our step count to 10k.

      Step count:
      Bec: 12k
      Phill: 10.4k
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    • Day 29

      Croagh Patrick

      May 1 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C

      Im Jahr 441 stieg der Patron Irlands der Legende nach auf diesen Berg, fastete dort 40 Tage lang und erbaute eine Kapelle. An einer Seite des Berges soll er eine Glocke hinabgeworfen und damit alle Schlangen von der irischen Insel vertrieben haben. Der Ort, wo die Glocke angeblich landete, ist ein U-förmiges Tal.Read more

    • Day 30

      Weiter bis Ballina

      May 2 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

      Heute ist alles grau in grau und es scheint auch so zu bleiben. Auf der R314 fahren wir über Land Richtung Ballina. Es gibt immer was zu sehen. Beim Nationalpark Ballycroy machen wir eine Kaffeepause und laufen eine kleine Runde weil es gerade nicht regnet. Weiterhin regnet es nicht mehr und zwischendurch lässt sich,wenn auch nur kurz, die Sonne blicken. SEHR erfreulich finden wir heute eine Stelle wo wir Abwasser,Frischwasser und WC machen können. Alles sehr SAUBER und GRATIS. So Stationen müsste es VIIIEL mehr geben. Ja und da war doch noch was.........klar😳 die 2km lange Umleitung 🫣.Read more

    • Day 7

      Not as We Planned

      June 8, 2022 in Ireland ⋅ 🌧 55 °F

      Started our day off with pouring rain! It was bound to happen…..Walked to the Westport House near our hotel and got the tour about the manor house, originally built by Grace O’Malley. Beautiful, restored house, including dungeon and wine cellar. We were supposed to go to Ashford Castle for lunch but a little GI bug kinda sidetracked that. Larry had it earlier in the week, we were hoping it was something he had eaten. Eileen was the next victim. So Larry went off to the Falconry at the castle with our driver and had a great time. We walked into town, hoping to grab a bite at O’Malleys pub but it was closed. Looks like they are dealing with the same staffing issues we have in the US. Passed a Lidl grocery store on our walk, found diet 7up, some little biscuit cookies and potato sticks. A little TV and early bedtime.
      We were last here in Ireland 15 years ago, so we wanted to highlight the things that are still the same and things that have changed or improved. Certainly the roads are the most dramatic improvement. We were educated by Pat that the more numbers on a road, the smaller, more narrow and possibly unfinished the road is. M and N roads are the highways. The little ones are L for local. So a challenging road would be L34521. About the worse you can get. Major areas are now connected by M and N roads and they are great. Roundabouts and driving on the left are still the way of the land, so next 2 weeks should be interesting as we take the wheel.
      Lordy, ice for a drink is still hard to find. Had major issues with this on last trip, most of the hotel bars will get for you but they give you a funny look, like, “why?”.
      A big difference so far for us is that we have been staying in some very nice hotels with many modern conveniences, including USB ports, but suspect as we transition to B and Bs by Friday, we will see a varied level of modern conveniences.
      Of course, the people are warm and welcoming everywhere we go. They are happy to have tourist back. Many towns were devastated by Covid closures and 1 out of every 2 pubs in neighborhoods closed. It is sad to see boarded up pubs and other businesses. Interesting that 85% of Irish population is vaccinated. We see some mask wearing among locals and tourists. Nothing has been so crowded that we felt uncomfortable. So we hope that continues.
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    You might also know this place by the following names:

    Maigh Eo, County Mayo

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