Last weekend we drove out to Connemara, which is the rugged region in the West, just northwest of Galway (the main city over there). Nothing is more "Irish" than Connemara. Here's a link to the area we drove through:
In addition to each of the stops listed on that 'Connemara Loop', our B&B was in Clifden, and on our last day, we drove south through Ballyconeely, Roundstone, back to Recess and out to Galway. It is breathtakingly beautiful out there and I say that with all the cliche it entails - it really is. It is shocking and rugged in a way that makes you feel you're somewhere more real than anywhere you have been. We are so thankful we were able to see this place with Wayne's mom (and will run a half-marathon here in less than 3 months).
The greeting when we arrived at the Bed & Breakfast in Clifden
Our nice & cosy 4-person Bed & Breakfast Room
Norah asleep in her travel bed, Wayne reading and...
Nana in the corner in her little twin bed! We felt like the family in Willy Wonka. I loved it!
Clifden
Sunset in Clifden
Nana's first Irish coffee!
"Glug, Glug, Glug"
These two love each other so much
Apparently Clifden's claim to fame is that the 1st non-stop trans-Atlantic flight, ended here. (or close to here....) Captain John Alcock and Lt. Arthur Whitten Brown
The flight went from St. John's, Newfoundland to Clifden, Ireland
We saw a sign in a window for their monthly Irish Trad Music session (with children), starting at 8:30 pm that night. So, we went back to the B&B, had some wine and came back at 8:30! Norah was up late but we decided it was worth it to see this in Clifden, especially. We only stayed for half an hour but it was worth it (as was the bread pudding).
This little boy on the right (playing the red accordian) was no more than 7 and he was amazing to watch! (Or the older boy in the grey sweatshirt who played the fiddle AND the guitar!)
The tiny white speck is a statue of Jesus up the mountain. It's probably 6 feet tall and was carried up there by 6 men in 1932! In Spring and Summer you can hike up there and the views are incredible.
This is the "mini-cathedral" Mitchell Henry built in honor of his wife, who died tragically at the age of 45. (they had 9 children together, already) They had been on holiday in Egypt when she came down with dysentary. He was so devastated, he built this in her honor and for the several years while it was being built, he kept her in a glass coffin, in the main house. Not just that, when they had dinner guests (and every evening, we were told), he would have her coffin wheeled into the dining room (GLASS coffin, mind you). He really loved her.
We stayed inside for longer than expected seeking shelter from the torrential onslaught of Connemara rain.
Foyer to the Abbey
I caught a reflection of Wayne and Norah in this small sewing table!
Black Marble from Co. Galway
The dining room where he would have the coffin wheeled....
Ireland's only Fjord - leading out to the Atlantic Ocean
Literally, Wayne was nearly blown over into this fence. He's bracing himself to take the picture before bolting back to the car. Honestly, if we had let Norah out of the car, she would've been blown right over this wall.
Galway City
