Talk about the road less travelled..........5th May

We were on our own for much of today - just as well as the roads were very very narrow - no more than country lanes really. Left in light rain and very low cloud and headed out to seethe cliffs at Sliabh Liag. Very impressive cliffs they were, as have been all our cliff sightings. So we left Ireland today and headed for Nothern Ireland (United Kingdom) to what Gary has been looking forward to - the Giants Causeway. Once we reached the Causeway Coast we passed through the very busy towns of Portstewart and Portrush - it is the Bank holiday weekend and everyone is out and about. Had a devil of a time finding a bed for the night - the traffic was horrendous so we made our way up into the hills and found a lovely B&B. Grace and Wally insisted on making us a cuppa - Grace's home made slices and coffee cake were delicious. They told us it would be far wiser to see the Giants Causeway first thing in the morning - fewer crowds.

This was the only way to our B&B - and yes the side
mirrors are turned inwards

Our lovely B&B in Killybegs

Narrow lanes were the go today

 Sliabh Liag cliffs shrouded in thick fog

The White Cliffs on the Causeway Coast

More of the rugged causeway coast 

The remains of Dunlace Castle

The view from our B&B - they just love their

relocatable homes over here

Ou home for the night in Dunlace, Bushmills, Causeway

These sheep were across the road from our B&B - very
aware of me

This little one was looking for mum

 Big day tomorrow - Giants Causeway and then off to Belfast for 2 nights.

Ann

A leisurely drive in the country

Later start today - it is the Bank Holiday weekend and breakfast wasn't served until 9 so we had a bit of a lie in this morning - a real treat. Not too far to travel this morning - we are making good time and have to slow down a bit or we will be back in Dublin with days to spare. Headed up towards Donegal and then west to the coastal towns. We are heading to Sliabh Liag tomorrow which apparently are the highest marine cliffs in Europe. We are staying in the harbour town of Killybegs - just love some of these names - we have come across so many Bally towns - Ballyshannon, Ballyconnell, Ballycastle, Ballyrobe, Ballyhoon, Ballydoon, Ballyclagh, Ballyclough - have to be extremely careful with the spelling before inputting into the GPS.



More traffic we encounter on the road

Still quite misty today - but at least no rain

 



Golf courses are everywhere - this is across the road

from the beach

This is the beach next to the golf course - not what we

envisaged when we saw the sign "To the beach"

Ireland is full of cows

Our lovely home for tonight in Killybegs on the coast road

 outside of Donegal

Ann



It had to happen - a day of rain

Woke up to rain this morning - but it was little more than a drizzle all day. Continued in Galway Co. travelling the coast road to The Connemara - a scenic landscape of granite rock and endless sea inlets. We enjoyed the slower drive today because of the rain and could only imagine what it would have looked like in better conditions. Gary even went for a swim - at 9 degrees - he thought it would be his last chance as we are only going north. It was his first swim in the North Atlantic Ocean - mad if you ask me - particularly as he is getting over a nasty cold, as am I.  Tonight we are staying on the Corraun Peninsula in the little seaside village of Achill Sound.

Rocky scenery of The Connemara

                                                    

                                                                              

Not the first cow we have had to stop for

                                              

Our home for tonight in Achill Sound

                                                                  
Ann

But there was more.............

Driving north out of Kerry Co and into the County of Clare today we caught the car ferry across the Shannon River - saved us many miles and time. Headed due west to Loop Head - an hour to go there and back but it was time well spent - more stunning scenery - sheer cliff faces. This must be a well kept secret as there were only 7 of us there - unlike yesterday and the crowds at Dingle. Travelled up to the Cliffs of Moher but alas our run of perfect weather came to an abrupt end - it was very overcast and foggy. Whereas you just drive round the Dingle Peninsula, to see the Cliffs of Moher you park, pay an entrance fee and go on a bit of a hike to see the cliffs. As the weather had closed in, visibility would have been limited so we kept on driving - oh, well you can't see everything. We then drove onward and upward through the vast rocky landscape that is The Burren - unlike anything we have seen in Ireland - or indeed anywhere.  The traffic in Galway at 4pm was simply horrendous so we shant be returning - it just looked like another big city after all. We spent the night in a little seaside village just outside of Galway and as usual had an exceptional meal at the local pub.

We were first in line for the ferry

More cows along the Shannon River

Couldn't take a guess at the number of tractors we have passed

More cliffs at Loop Head

My legs turned to jelly looking over the edge

                                                    Strange rock formations in The Burren

Continuing north tomorrow to yet another beautiful district of Ireland - Connemara. We are seeing very little of the cities - we are enthralled by the beauty of the countryside, especially the coastline.

Ann





                                                                                         



A day of endless stunning scenery

First thing we drove back into town to take some photos - very brightly coloured houses and buildings - we have found this in the many of the towns - bold and bright colours. A big day today - the Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Peninsula. Drove along the northern coast of the Beara Peninsula passing some lovely lakes and arrived at beautiful Kenmare before starting the road that is the Ring of Kerry. The big peninsula was yet to come - Dingle. After passing through the very touristy town of Dingle we travelled out to the end - Shae Head - and the views were stunning.

The colourful town of Allihies

The food was superb at O'Neill's

One of the many lakes we passed on the road to Kenmare

Kenmare



Stopped for a quiet cuppa

Fly fisherman - trout and salmon

Dingle

 Dingle

Boats in Dingle Harbour

Rugged Dingle Peninsula

This seagull came right up to the car window

Spring is lambing season

Slea Head

The cliffs at Slea Head - the tip of the peninsula

Staying in the small village of Spa tonight - drove 6k down the road to Fenit and had dinner at the pub/restaurant at the pier - great meal of crab, scallops and fish - delicious. Heading up north tomorrow - not quite sure where yet - but I am sure nothing can compare with the spectacular cliffs of today - the weather was absolutely perfect to see them in all their splendour.

Ann