Tuesday 23rd November 2021
It was very cold and misty at Kilkee this morning. We bought some groceries and set off north. The mist soon lifted to reveal a beautiful sunny day. We stopped briefly in Lisdoonvarna where we saw this statue in the centre of town.
We stopped for the day at Doolin Pier.
The whale's tail is a memorial to those who died along this coast.
The Wild Atlantic Way long distance road trip has a marker post here.
In summer it would cost 5 euros to park here overnight but the place is abandoned by most at this time of year and parking is free.
None of the boat trips to the Aran Islands and the Cliffs of Moher are running at this time of year.
The Samaritans obviously think this place is a suicide risk!
A couple of kilometres inland from here is this old round tower. It was the scene of the execution of a large number of Spanish sailors from the Armada fleet in the 16th Centaury. Their bodies were buried in a mass grave by the tower.
From here there are views to the Cliffs of Moher.
This area is known as The Burren. It is characterised by extensive limestone pavements.
Large parts of the car park here have been covered in stones thrown up from the sea in storms.
The shoreline provides some fairly poor pasture.
The Aran Islands are visible from here.
At about 16.00 the sun was still behind a cloud.
However it did come out of the cloud at 16.30 as it sank into the Atlantic.
I find it quite special to see a sunset directly over the ocean.
Today we travelled 52 miles (84 kilometres). We are at; N53.0147 W9.4046
2 comments:
The dancing couple in Lisdoonvarna would be commemorating the fact that the town was known as the matchmaking capital of Ireland. In September after the harvest was gather large numbers of farmers travelled to the town to drink and bathe in the spa waters and to avail of the services of the local matchmakers many very successful. The farmers tended to look for somewhat younger women often specifying nurses or teachers. They could clearly bring in an income and might also produce a dowry. The matchmaking festival still goes on at at least did pre Covid and great Craig is had by all with lots of dancing, music sessions and drinking.
Anne-Marie
There's a great song by Christy Moore on his 1984 album Ride On about the festival, so thanks for the info about it Anne-Marie!
Andy
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