We left Dingle for probably the most famous and dramatic natural formation in Ireland, the Cliffs of Moher, a 900 foot high sea cliff. After crossing the might Shannon river by ferry, we visited the cliffs in driving rain and 60 to 70 mph winds, apparently the normal state of affairs. The next stop was the Burren, where the winds were so great we couldn't hear the local guide describe the moon-like geography. We then made our way to the exciting city of Galway. Galway is a university town with an active pedestrian-only city center, where our hotel was located, near many restaurants, pubs, and shops.
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The next morning we took a boat ride to Inishmore, the largest of the Aran Islands. Life in Inishmore is the closest thing to Ireland in the 1800's, with its few residents earning their living from farming, fishing, and tourism.
The most important attraction is a 2,500 year-old stone fort called Dun Aengus. When we arrived on the island, our local guide told us that heavy rains the day before had flooded the trail from the visitor center to the fort and we couldn't go. Declan quickly came up with an alternative plan to visit another, smaller stone fort. It was very interesting but it lacked the dramatic, cliffside setting of Dun Aengus. We continued on touring the beautiful island and stopped for lunch at a small restaurant at a crossroads at the Dun Aengus visitor center. (The lunch was terrific, btw.) One of our fellow tour members, Jack, (who was a lot of fun, as was his wife, Mimi), and I took a walk to the visitor's center, discovered that the flooded area could be forded. Declan said it was okay for us to take the trek to Dun Aengus so long as we were back at the crossroads in time to catch the boat back to Galway. Jack recruited three others for the trip and, taking off our shoes and socks and rolling up our pant legs, we took off for the fort. It was quite a climb, but well worth it.
The most important attraction is a 2,500 year-old stone fort called Dun Aengus. When we arrived on the island, our local guide told us that heavy rains the day before had flooded the trail from the visitor center to the fort and we couldn't go. Declan quickly came up with an alternative plan to visit another, smaller stone fort. It was very interesting but it lacked the dramatic, cliffside setting of Dun Aengus. We continued on touring the beautiful island and stopped for lunch at a small restaurant at a crossroads at the Dun Aengus visitor center. (The lunch was terrific, btw.) One of our fellow tour members, Jack, (who was a lot of fun, as was his wife, Mimi), and I took a walk to the visitor's center, discovered that the flooded area could be forded. Declan said it was okay for us to take the trek to Dun Aengus so long as we were back at the crossroads in time to catch the boat back to Galway. Jack recruited three others for the trip and, taking off our shoes and socks and rolling up our pant legs, we took off for the fort. It was quite a climb, but well worth it.
In the morning we went to the town of Cong, where the John Ford film, "The Quiet Man," was filmed, and the site of Ashford Castle, where we engaged in the noble sport of falconry, which was a breathtaking experience.
We ended the day at the lovely town of Westport, home of a pub owned by a member of the Chieftains, Matt Malloy, where we spent the evening and heard some terrific music.
We ended the day at the lovely town of Westport, home of a pub owned by a member of the Chieftains, Matt Malloy, where we spent the evening and heard some terrific music.
The Chieftains represent the pinnacle of musicianship, not only of artists playing traditional Irish music but of musicians generally. They have performed all over the world and their recordings as a solo act and with artists like the Rolling Stones, Elvis Costello, and Van Morrison, are spectacular. This is a song they recorded at a pub we visited near our hotel in Westport owned by their flautist, (flutist), (flute player), Matt Malloy.
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