GPS device helped us to find Galway. It is the city located on the opposite side of the isle (western coast). It is close to a very popular point – Cliffs of Moher.
We didn’t have any plan for sightseeing. Cliffs of Moher were the only place I really wished to visit – impressively huge rocks hanging above the sea. The other part of our route was randomly formed.
We reached Galway by 2-3 am. The sunrise was coming, but rain clouds had covered all the sky. It was quite dark for taking shots without a tripod.
Galway is a small city with a population of 60-70 thousand people. It was very strange to see the city center crowded by totally drunk young people. They were screaming “TAXI-I-I!!!” and trying to jump in front of our car 🙂
Probably it was some kind of university holiday. All bars were closed by that time and people were simply going home… In general, the young crowd was harmless enough, but it required some attention in order to avoid hitting someone 🙂
After several unsuccessful circles around the city in search for some food (all shops, cafes and pubs were closed), we decided to move to the cliffs. And the Atlantic Ocean road going along the coast was promising to be really scenic.
Here is a funny sign warning us about the castle. Pay attention to road, not to the castle:
And here is the castle itself (Dunguaire castle, 1520):
If you take a closer look, you can find that everything in Ireland is in bloom. Even the castle walls!
Let’s move forward. Local cows should be in a good shape. In order to find some food, you need to climb onto the hills.
Speed limits are:
- Outside cities – 100 km/h
- On highways – 120 km/h
- Inside cities, towns and villages – 50 km/h
- Some roads have 80 km/h limit
Most of the sharp turns are not being warned about. There are no signs asking you to slow down. So you can see some curvy roads that are accompanied by 100 km/h speed limit sign, when car’s physics doesn’t allow you to go faster then 40 km/h.
Most of the roads are equipped with light reflectors.
By the way, you can easily notice the absence of the “hard shoulder” on the road. Local roads (those smaller then highways) simply do not have it. So you can only stop your car on special parking or turn somewhere.
The road views are quite beautiful.
Shenmukinish Castle (Muckinish Castle or Tower – 15-16 centuries):
Typical village houses:
The road is getting more and more picturesque:
Let’s touch the Atlantic Ocean. The shore is inviting.
The way to the shore was a bit steep and not really close.
But it was worth of it 🙂
Stones are quite cold. It is 12 degrees in the street.
We are still going to the ocean.
We did it!
We could hardly resist from swimming 😀 But the water was too cold and the coast line didn’t seem to be suitable for that 🙂
Half an hour of walking one way and the same way back. The car can hardly be seen from this distance.
Flowers are growing out of the rock!
Mike:
Our brave car is tired of waiting for us.
Green grass, morning sunshine. Stunning views around. That’s why the most beautiful cinema scenes are being filmed in Ireland.
More cows-climbers.
You’ve reached your destination point! (Cliffs of Moher).
Please, don’t fall. And don’t jump – call Samaritans!
Desktop wallpapers are real. Just wish to touch them! 🙂
A small castle near the cliff’s edge (O’Brien’s Castle).
Castle view to the cliffs. The cave located in the center was used as a background for Harry Potter film scenes.
You can infinitely stay here and look around. 100 meters ahead and there is a different view. 100 meters more and there is a new one.
On the edge of the cliff.
How could I miss an opportunity of sitting here a little?!
There were just several people who came here in the early morning. Among them was a man from neighbourhoods. He used paths and stairs for jogging. It should be nice to start your day from jogging in such a wonderful place. Sound of waves beating the rocks, a sea wind, a green grass – probably locals cannot feel all this magic and beauty of the surrounding nature.
Let’s keep moving. A small gas station. We bought some fuel and snacks. Hares and foxes are running across the road from time to time 🙂
Locals are very nice.
One more village.
We found remains of monastery there (Quin Abbey, 1402)
Let’s go inside.
…and upstairs.
Upper storey of the building is covered by grass. The grass is very soft and green!
Halls inside the monastery:
It is very neat and clean. The whole building is supervised by a man. He is walking along the halls and sits in a small booth sometimes. The booth sells maps and post cards. Who is this guy? The owner of castle or just a guard? It can be a good idea to spend some more time here. Sit on the grass, look out of the empty windows… Ireland is very calm itself, but in places like this it feels to be totally frozen in some pre-historical time.
Quin town is nice.
Old mail box.
The next point is – Bunratti Castle (1425). We could not get out of the car because of the heavy rain, so we decided to sleep a little. One hour of sleeping. The rain didn’t stop, but was light enough for walking.
One of the castle’s towers.
Inside of the castle’s tower. It was hard to pass the ongoing traffic 🙂 Particularly for me as I am twice as big as Mike 🙂
The interior is quite simple (wood, cloth, glass)… but cosy 🙂
And here is a nice dog (Irish Wolfhound – 70 kilogram of furry happiness):
The territory of castle includes several buildings decorated as craftsman houses. Interior of these houses tries to be historically adequate.
Take a look, the fire in fireplace is real! It is so good to get some warmth in a weather like this!
There is a real street with bars, barbershops and some other stores that you could find in old times.
A church, a chicken and a tourist…
Inside the church.
The inside looks very simple comparing to the Russian church. No icons, gold and other Russian Church stuff…
A water mill.
Limerick streets.
King John’s Castle was built in 1200.
Here we found some people speaking Russian 🙂 It was a really unexpected meeting. These guys were from Belarus and it was their first time in Ireland too!
And this is St. Mary’s Cathedral – 1168:
Some more walking around the town.
Are they really stealing lifebuoys?!
Mike loves the nature!
This sculpture is really strange. What does it mean? 🙂
Irish houses are amazing. I am not a specialist, but I like Irish architecture very much. Large castles, small houses – everything is in harmony with nature and looks like a nice postcard image!
This dude didn’t want to be my friend. Don’t try to pet swans – they get really angry 😀
King John’s Castle quay.
Floor, benches and railings are made of wood. These decorations make the town even more pretty.
We have to return to Dublin. During our way, we are entering small towns in order to view numerous sights.
Killaloe town. And its Killaloe Cathedral (1225).
Flowers are growing out of the roof.
Nenagh town, Nenagh Castle (1200).
And a church nearby.
The car with an ax made our day.
There is a script “Templeberry Bar Club”. Is it the new way of advertising? 🙂
So we continued our way to Dublin. Enormous number of impressions and two days without sleeping made us feeling as we are here for much more then just a one day. We reached our hotel by 2 am and there will be lots of meetings in the morning!
Flights to Dublin:
Hotel prices in Dublin:
Quick navigation through articles:
1. Introduction
2. Southern Ireland
3. Dublin
4. Northern Ireland. Belfast
5. Summary
