The Conemara & Beyond

Today, we traveled northward through County Claire. We inched our way up along the coast to a tower named Dunguaire outside of Kinvarna. We were too cheap to pay the 6 Quid and walked around. Low and behold, I meet a guy from Lewisburg, Pa., who just so happens to work at Bucknell College in Pa. Not only does he know John Fernsler, but also he gives me an entire bio on his collegiate life. I snapped a picture of him, just so he could be identified upon our return.

Onward up through Galway, where we got lost a hundred times in the mega malls, and building Condo’s which remind us more of the American suburbs than the Ole’ Ireland that we used to know. If it sounds like we didn’t like this experience, then I’m getting the point across to ye clearly. We hopped out of the car for an hour and toured Galway city, seeing the Cathedral and then got back in the car and drove the hell out of there as fast as possible. Bob lit yet another candle for his mother. We also lit a candle for Phil’s reflexes in the hopes we would avoid certain death on the roads. I have no way of explaining to the readers who deadly the roads are in Ireland. I’m not kidding when I say that this blog update my well be the last, not due in turn to Phil’s driving skills as much as the obscene speeds in which these Irish idiots figure they have to drive around blind turns. It’s amazing we’ve made it this far, I kid you not.

We came to a highlight in Co. Galway named Aughanure Castle, along Lake Coribb. (See picture) For 3 Euro’s we got to climb through it and have a stellar tour. I’ll try and enclose some pics, but it was a definite highlight of the day.

We then hit Route N59 on which we saw lots of sheep, rocks, and beautiful landscapes. (also see pictures) We nearly died a few times but Phil’s steady hand made it through to the town of Clifden. While they took a nap, I took a walk through the town and scouted (thus far) of this trip. The night was magical, and we befriended the entire Pub. They honored the American tourists from Pittsburgh, and played any song we wanted to hear. The entire bar of 50+ people was extremely friendly. One of the more popular fellows of the pup, named Brian Mongan and his wife Flo really showed us a good time, and had us rolling all the way home with his one-liners. It was a highlight of this trip to be sure. The village of Clifton was one of our best choices yet. These people were part of this experience that we won’t soon forget.

Saturday we’ll take the “Sky way ride” above Clifden and swing up along the Conemara National park (again) and visit the family digs in Clonburgh (Conroys) and Ballinrobe (Farraghers) Both spots are of significance for Phil and Cullen, since the family lands and farms are still there today. The plan is to end up the day in either Castlebar or Westport where we hope to jump onto N5 interstate to cut across country (3 hrs drive) to see the McEntee family in Moynalty. This will happen on Sunday afternoon (we hope) and we also hope to see New Grange and Kells if possible during this Eastern stint.

Then it will be on towards the South West for Day 6, which leaves us 7 days for south of the Shannon. The trip will be almost half way over for us by then, but meantime we’ll try and keep you folks posted of what all has been going on, provided we find convenient internet cafés.