Today was one of those variable weather days that we associate with Ireland. Overcast but dry when we left Galway, pouring rain in Recess and by the end of the day in Clifton we were both sunburned!
North of Galway is Connemara, one of the last remaining Irish speaking areas (a Gaeltacht). This beautiful area is full of mountains and lakes as well as coastal peninsulas, coves and islands. Oscar Wilde mused that ‘Connemara is a savage beauty’!
The Quiet Man Bridge was the setting for the 1950 film The Quiet Man starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara.
In Recess, we learned about the legend of the Connemara Giant.
The plaque on the statue states “on this site in 1897, nothing happened”.
Created by the craft shop for ‘no apparent reason’.
Legend says if you touch one of the giant’s hands, you will be blessed with the knowledge of his ancient tribe (Kris chose to touch the hand holding the stone, because his other hand is on his butt!).
At Joyce’s Craft Shop we found trinkets made from the famous Connemara green marble. Known as the Irish gemstone, the marble is found in a many miles-long outcropping running from the middle of the country to the coast.
Dave bought some marble whiskey stones and Kris happened to find a nice necklace to bring home!
We stopped at various beautiful viewpoints along the road.
And had to be careful not to run over the numerous sheep sitting by the side of the road!
Omey Island is a tidal island accessible for only a few hours on either side of low tide.
It was about a 600 meter walk across wet sand from the car park.
Once on the island, we checked out the ruins of St Feichin’s medieval church and holy well. The ancient stone building was once part of a monastic settlement founded by St Feichin in the 7th C. Feichin was known for his miraculous healing powers and many holy wells across the country are dedicated to him.
Most of the middle of the island is taken up by Fahy lake, home to the mythical water beast, Dobar-chu, the King Otter, who resembles a dog and an otter, although has also been described as half dog half fish. The last reported sighting of the Dobar-chu was in 2003.
We looked pretty hard for the King Otter, but he remained hiding.
Then we checked in to the Abbeyglen Castle Hotel (built in 1832) for the night.
Our superior double room has a gorgeous four-poster bed, huge sitting area and a private terrace at the top of one of the square towers!
At our 5-course dinner at their wonderful restaurant, we were told they are not responsible for Froda’s bad language, bad pronunciation, misspelled words or the weather! We like the Irish sense of humour!
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