Arrived

After 15 years we are finally back in Irelnd.  15 years ago we couldn’t walk on the grounds of any of the many and beautiful government run historical and preservation sites such as The Cliffs of Mohr.  There was a serious threat of  Foot in Mouth disease so all of the public and many private sites were closed.  So when we arrived our intrepid guides Bob and Darlene, decided despite the trip being at least an hour in the wrong direction, Louise and John were going to see The Cliffs.  The weather, however, was not exactly cooperating.  Upon arriving at Dooley’s car rental it started to snow as we squeezed ourselves, luggage and various backpacks, purses, briefcases and coats into a rather small car that had a 6’6″ driver.  Luckily the other three passengers were of a more moderate height.  For Bob to see out the windshield he needed to move the drivers seat as far back as it would go and tilt the back of the seat so he was practically reclining.  We all had lots of giggles each and every time we got in or out of the car.

Lisdoonvarna

We stopped here for a full Irish breakfast.  Not something any of us usually find on our plates any morning but after flying all night and arriving at 5:45am, we felt justified in fortifying ourselves for the cold day ahead.  We were all careful not to order the beans!  Keeping to a healthier style of eating will be a challenge.  In this case I ate the sausage and two poached eggs but skipped the beans, bacon and blood pudding and toast.

It snowed then the sun came out and then back to snowing again very heavily as we drove northwest from Shannon.  This is is the Imperial Hotel where we had breakfast.  The white stuff in the picture is snow and it was very slippery.  Not one of the four of us had the right shoes on.  Mine were especially slippery but thankfully no one fell.  Shoes were changed very quickly after breakfast.  During breakfast it snowed so hard we were sure we would not be able to see anything at The Cliffs.

The Cliffs of Mohr

As the luck of the Irish would have it the only time the sun came out for an extended period of time was when we arrived at the Cliffs.  It was beautiful and almost warm.  Since we were early in the morning and also early for tourist season there weren’t any crowds to contend with.  The sun warmed our backs while the wind whipped our faces but we didn’t care.  We were finally here and it was worth it.  We could see, with the aid of binoculars, to the far shore where we stayed in a little town called Spiddal years ago.  It was clear enough to see the Aran Islands where we weren’t allowed to go on that last trip again due to the fear of spreading the foot in mouth disease to their cattle.  

It was too windy to enjoy a long walk along the trail that goes along the top of these magnificent cliffs.  Something to look forward to on another trip.  However, we are quite satisfied with our first real visit.

Castle Island

We stopped for lunch here after taking the ferry across Shannon River,  John spotted a place called The Country Market that looked promising.  It was a homey little spot and full except for one empty table that luckily seated four.  They were a bakery too and the desserts made a feast for the eyes.  There were some little, beautiful big eyed children just pineing for a sweet and their mother finally gave in and let them pick out their favorite.  Again, trying to make a good choice of what to eat presented itself.  The menu had a section on it that explained where all their meat, fish and poultry was sourced from.  This touch impressed me and assured me that it was local Irish raised beef and poultry and that the fish was from the North Sea and the butter local.  What more could a health coach want.  I ordered the cod and it was delicious.  Served with mashed sweet potatoes, mashed carrots, the requisite potatoes, spinach and seasoned with dill.  No chips.  I tried one chip and did not like the flavor so I don’t think I will be eating chips here.

Kenmare

We finally made it to our home away from home around 4pm.  We were welcomed  by our hostess Ann and a warm fire and a beautiful home with a gorgeous view.   We woke up today to a snowstorm, fierce rain and the threat of 48mph winds.  No hiking today.  It is a day to curl up in front of the fire with a good book and rejoice that we are in Ireland and as Darlene’s late brother in-law always said “it never rains inside the pub!”  So should we venture out I would guess we might find a pub nearby.

Have a wonderful week.  I am sure the sun will shine again in Ireland.

Louise