Travel Musings

 I still haven't fixed the connectivity problem with my camera, and to be honest, even if I had it is too late to go back and do any detailed posts. So, I thought I'd do an overall impression of what we have seen and done in Ireland, plus a best of whatever photos I have, It is currently 9 am on Sunday morning, and we are in a pleasant campsite in Skibbereen, down near the south coast, and have booked a whale watching trip from Baltimore (the original!) this afternoon. The Wild Atlantic Way is just about finished for us, and will end tomorrow at Kinsale. However our ferry from Dublin to Holyhead is booked for 27th May, so we still have plenty of time to explore. I've already mentioned the eye watering beauty of Donegal. You feel almost involved in the scenery as it is so close to you. Here in the south, with the Dingle Peninsula, Ring of Kerry and the Beara Peninsula, the beauty is breath taking in it's grandeur. It is on a larger scale and vista than Donegal, but still...

  On Wednesday we left our lovely overnight camp at Tullagh Bay and carried on the WAW (Wild Atlantic Way), crossing the decidedly steep Gap of Mamore. Dunree Head on Loch Swilly held Fort Dunree, which was used in WW1 as a harbour for Jellico's Fleet whilst Scapa Flow was being rebuilt. Our destination was Letterkenny, after visiting Buncrana, Lisnanon Beach and Manorcunningham.  The carpark at Letterkenney GAA (Gaelic Games) provided a safe (but bland) stop with hot showeres and all the necessary facilities. Letterkenney itself wasn't impressive. There was plenty of new built large shopping centres on the outskirts of the town, but the centre seemed run down and a bit seedy - and very republican. Thursday led us up the other side of Lough Swilly, to visit Balolymastocker Strand and the magnificent Fanad Head and along yet another dramatic coastline to a small parkup on the dunes of Narin Strand. The next day was very wild countryside, including the even steep Glenesh Pass - ...

 I forgot to mention in the first blog that in Belfast we took a hop on hop off bus tour (good recommendation Lois!). It was well worth doing. Apart from the usual city centre sights and buildings, it all took in the Falls and Shankhill Roads, the murals, Crumlin Road jail, and the "peace" wall. Now this was fascinating, and shows that a lot of people have not moved on. The driver did a good job of staying neutral in his descriptions of the atrocities, bombings etc. Sunday saw us travel along the very beautiful Antrim Coast Road, stopping at all the views on the way. The stop for the night was in Bushmills carpark, which gave us the opportunity to visit the Bushmills Distillery, and naturally try a few samples. We knew everywhere was going to be packed solid on Bank Holiday Monday, so there was an early start to get to the Giants Causeway. We were just about the only people there, and it was so peaceful and quiet - the bird song was immense. Just as we were leaving the tour b...

The overnight ferry dropped us off in Belfast early on Friday morning, only a fifteen minute drive from our first destination - The Titanic exhibition. With time to spare until our timed entry, we just wondered around the docks area, but got no offers from any sailors. I visited the exhibition some six years ago and was impressed then, but they have actually improved it. The sense of actually being there as it was being built was strong, as was being transported through the finished liner. As we had a few hours to spare before we were allowed on the campsite, we drove to Carrickfergus and it's well preserved and looked after castle. And on the doorstep was, lo and behold, a Wetherspoons! This pleased Wallace mightily as he keeps track of all the ones he has been to. We met there a Scottish rugby on tour. The Forrester's have organised a tour to Carrickfergus since 1979. Great lads to talk to. The campsite was council run but automatic. There was no reception, just a keypad to e...