Porth Padrig

We spent a couple of nights with old Bingley friends, Caroline & Martin who now leave in Amlwch, not far from Holyhead.

Caroline took us (and the dog) out for a walk nearby...

...with beautiful views over Cemaes Bay.

We scrambled down to Porth Padrig...

...some more agile than others!

We saw some beautiful rock formations...

...and a mysterious cave.

Tine as intrepid as ever...

...leaving me at the entrance.

I love a good pebble photo!

Dublin Ferry Port

All things come to end and it was time for us to catch the ferry. Not to France though, to Holyhead on Anglesey in North Wales.

Safely on board after our cross-country drive, a final Guinness.

Trust there to be blue skies for our departure!

 

Goodbye, Ireland, it's been fun! Slán, as they say.

The Great Famine

Also known at the Potato Famine when successive crops failed and about one million Irish died, many others emigrating.

The Murrisk Millennium Peace Park... 

...where this very moving sculpture named the Coffin Ship is displayed.

It was unveiled in 1997 to mark the 150th anniversary of the Irish Famine.

We saw another monument at Salthill...

...with views that emigrants might have seen as they left their homes for a new life.

Murrisk

Back in the car to Murrisk...

...with its views back over Clew Bay towards Westport.

Don't forget the backdrop of Croagh Patrick, considered a holy mountain in Ireland. People used to climb it at the beginning of harvest, although these days it's a very popular climb any time of year.

Murrisk Abbey

Can you spot the Star Wars figure?

Another beautiful setting

Westport

Next day we woke up to sunshine, so off we traipsed towards Westport.

Once we'd figured out the one-way system we parked up beside the Carrowbeg River...

...complete with a beautiful old bridge.

Tine went into the local tourist office (seeing one of the Chieftans there!) whilst I wandered around the lovely square.

Of course we soon found a pub for a spot of lunch...

...and the obligatory Guinness and rosé.

It doesn't take much to amuse me.

We drove along to Westport Quay...

...with a wonderful view of Croagh Patrick over the bay.

 

A wet day visiting County Galway

And boy, how it rained!

First stop Clifden...

...with evidence of fishing

After lunch in one of the bars we headed for Cleggan

Who knew there was a town named after my family?

To be honest there wasn't a lot to see...

...and the weather wasn't improving.

Our last stop of the day was Kylemore Abbey...

...on the banks of the Pollacapall Lough

Sadly we didn't get to visit the abbey...

...but the views were worth the stop.