We did one of Ireland’s great hikes today, the Cuilcagh Boardwalk leading to the Stairway to Heaven.
We technically crossed the border into Northern Ireland at Drummans but barely noticed. This border crossing is in the center of a tiny town and other than a small red ‘crosswalk’ of brick in the road, you wouldn’t know. In a few days when we pass by a more populous border, we expect a bit more of a production.
Because we are officially in Northern Ireland, we paid for parking in British Pounds.
Most of the 11.5 km hike was across the moors and sheep fields on a gravel path then onto a raised boardwalk.
Close to the halfway point, we ascended about 400 steps up The Stairway to Heaven.
The expansive views were worth the upward struggle.
Lunch was at a local pub in Enniskillin (meaning Kathleen’s Island when translated from the Irish Inis Ceithleann).
We then returned to Sligo, crossing back into the Republic of Ireland, again barely noticing the difference as we drove over more red bricks on the bridge over the Belcoo River.
We took a short tour of Sligo on our way to dinner.
Sligo Abbey was a Dominican Friary built in 1253 by the Baron of Offaly. It was damaged in 1414 by a fire, ravaged during the 9-Years War in 1595 and again during the Irish Confederate Wars in 1642.
A couple was getting married inside the Abbey – how romantic!
The Famine Memorial – sitting in the center of a car park beside Fish Quay!
For the first time this trip we had trouble finding a table at a restaurant. Friday night is go out for dinner night in Sligo! The nice restaurant was full for the night; the second nicest place had a private party; the one with space had very little in the way of gluten free options. At least Irish pubs are a plenty, even if Korean wings and GF pizza aren’t very Irish. The beer and cider were.
Tomorrow we will try to do some more hiking on our way to Donegal (although today’s hike did us in!)
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