End Notes: Ireland

It's always good to return home. It's even better to come home with happy memories. I had been forewarned to expect lousy weather. So, how fortunate we were to have only one night of rain and a couple of misty or drizzly hours during an 11-day vacation. I was told that the culinary choices would be primarily meat and potatoes but found a wide variety of delicious foods and a vegetarian-friendly atmosphere. There seem to be lots of local food/sustainably farmed choices. Also, generally a culture of recycling, using locally sourced materials, etc.

A couple of final photos walking along Galway Bay.

The cloudy day didn't stop the intrepid swimmers:

Sunday was the National Hurling contest (equivalent to the Super Bowl or the final game of the World Series in the US How fun to watch the match between Galway and Kilkenny) with Galway fans. The Galway underdogs led most of the way then Kilkenny pulled ahead but Galway tied it up. So, life in Ireland will again come to a standstill as the whole game will be replayed again next week.

But, alas, I'll be on the other side of the Atlantic with my fond memories of a wonderful trip to Ireland and all the kindness and hospitality so freely given to me.

Cliffs of Moher

The weather has been fantastic in Ireland. Saturday was a cloudy but dry day for climbing the spectacular Cliffs of Moher on the west coast of County Claire. But, first a stop at the farmer's market. The vendor is selling everything bagels (to her immediate right)!

 Fresh bread:

 And, farm-fresh produce:

 Passed more beautiful countrside views:

 Statues in the plaza:

 And at storefronts:

 Then, on to the Cliffs of Moher:

 O'Brien's Tower at the Cliffs of Moher:

 View from O'Brien's Tower:

 The Cliffs of Moher:

 Cliffs of Moher:

Aran Islands

The weather has been amazingly nice here for over a week in Ireland...one rainy evening and a few minutes of rain up in Northern Ireland. So, we really couldn't complain about a little mist as we headed out to the Aran Islands. Besides, it didn't last for long and our outing was very pleasant on the remote, rugged island of Inishmore.

 The rocky island geography doesn't go to waste as the stone provide materials for the buildings and walls.

There are no sheep on the island any more (they are too difficult to herd as they easily jump over the stone walls but there are plenty of cows and goats.

The terrain is so rocky there are stone walls around fields of stone.

 Teampall Bhreacain:

Another stony field

 Dun Aonghasa:

View from the ferry

Dublin

At first glance Dublin seems like just an ordinary city, but dig a little below the surface and it has its own special charms. Twice as big as Belfast, it lacks the small-town vibes but makes up for it with some bigger city amenities.

The Abbey on Parnell Square:

The Garden of Remembrance:

Trinity College:

 Trinity College:

 St. Stephen's Park:

 The Spike on O'Connell Street:

 Wonderful exhibits at the Dublin City Gallery:

 The beautiful grounds at the National Botanic Gardens:

 Very historic but extremely sobering Kilmainham Gaol:

 Halfpenny Bridge:

 Very historic General Post Office:

 The markets at Moore Street::

 Back in Galway at the Ard Bia at Nimmos cafe: