Aran Islands

We left for the Aran Island ferry one morning,  planning to leave Rossaveal and head to Inishmore for a day of exploring. The drive along the coast from Galway was stunning.  Homes jutting up along the shore,  I could only imagine sunset from their back yards. 

The ferry ride there was enjoyable, with calm waters.  I bought a can of coke for nearly $2 and sipped it as we watched the mainland get farther away,  and the birds swoop all around us. My son enjoyed some toddler snacks and sitting on his Grammy's lap.

Once off the ferry we decided to board a little bus tour. At first impression,  we thought the tour guide was a bit wacky, and we were quickly proven right.  We followed the narrow roads out of Kilronan village and made our way to our first stop. Along the way we saw thatched roofed cottages, and so, so many stone walls. Our guide told us they were there out of necessity. Get the rocks out of the land in order to use it.  

Our first stop was Dún Aonghasa. A semicircular, ancient fort overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. It had started to drizzle and get a little breezy, and after seeing the elevation that had to be scaled, My mom decided to stay along the flatter parts with my son. The fort is not really a place for toddlers. So he found every puddle along the trail and splashed happily while I went upward.

See that tiny notch in the center of the top of that hill? Yeah, I walked up to that tiny notch.

Winding around to that tiny notch. The trail got a bit rugged.

Almost to the top, and the views are already pretty spectacular, but as you can see, a storm is moving in.

Oh hey, I just climbed up all that!

See those people? Those people are nuts. 

That tiny rope, doing a good job of keeping people from death.

 The town behind me and the ocean before me, I could definitely see why this place had been so appealing for so many years.  The wind was strong, and I could feel it pushing me along as I tried to explore each angle (except the ones over the cliff).  By this time, the slight drizzle was turning into a rain, so I decided to climb back down, and dry out/warm up.

Waiting for mommy back at the visitor's center! ALL the puddles had been thoroughly splashed through!

This guy putting in a day's work.

Teach Nan Phaidi was a quaint little restaurant just outside Dún Aonghasa.  We went in to warm up, and have lunch. The most incredible soda bread we had throughout the entire country was in this little place. We found a cozy seat next to the fireplace and had wonderful soup and bread.  As you can see in this photo below, Oliver was quite taken with the people working there, and they likewise.  

After our lunch break we were off to Na Seacht dTeampaill - The Seven Churches. We walked around and looked at the different headstones, or remains of headstones.  I, again, wondered what once was.  

I just thought this was incredible. 

This area is apparently

the hot spot in the summer, complete with swimmers, dolphins and delight... not so much this day.  That didn't stop my son from having a little fun with walking on the wall. You can also see my hat, hand knit by a local, who sold them in a tiny shop just outside Dún Aonghasa.

After a little shopping we walked back to our ferry.  I wish I could say the ride back was as nice  as the ride over.  I wish I could.  It was dark, windy, rainy, and the roughest waters I have ever been on.  Had I not been focused on keeping my son from screaming the entire time (rough ride + time difference = cranky boy), I may have lost my cookies.  A drive back to Galway for a relaxing evening was in order. I would love to go back to Galway and explore the city, as unfortunately, we just used it for a hub to explore Aran Islands, and our next stop, the most family friendly attraction we visited, Bunratty Castle.  

Rock of Cashel

While castles and one year old boys don't always mix,  twelfth and thirteenth century ruins go over quite well! So much exploring to do, surrounded by incredible scenery and history.

On our way to Cashel,  we saw many other ruins. No signs,  no markers,  just part of the landscape. There were trash cans at the end of a driveway near this one. Their everyday view causes this tourist to pull over and grab her camera.

Also, keeping in mind we had a one year old with us, we bought a lot of milk along the way. How adorable is this tiny jug of milk?

Arriving to Cashel we were greeted by this sign. We visited two of these places. One was the very nice latrine!

Looking up at the Rock of Cashel, partly under construction, from the bottom of the hill.

Green and drizzly sign, a sign of what was to come.

 Inside, a replica of St. Patrick's cross. It is believed that St. Patrick was here and converted the King of Munster. Along with some of the other relics that survived throughout time.

I'll let the photos do the talking. Slight drizzle. Cool, but comfortable breeze. I tried to think of all the people who had walked the same paths,  climbed the same steps,  took in the same spectacular view.

There is also a somewhat modern burial ground on the premises. It did not have a morbid feeling,  but a peaceful one. Of course with this scenery,  how could it not?

Aw, my little man. He was happy to run around and explore!

ehh... we will just.. leave this here.

Some renovation/conservation was taking place.

The Round Tower

See all those stone walls in the background? We found out why they're all over the country the next day on the Aran Islands.

Overlooking Cashel, a quaint town with much more to do than we had time for. We did stop and shop at Cashel Woolen Store, where we met some Americans who had moved to Ireland for work. They explained to us that many American companies had offices in Ireland to base their European business.  We chatted with the shop owner Inga, who was such a lovely person. One of the nicest we met along our way.  She suggested  Ladyswell Restaurant for a nice, warm, family friendly place to have lunch... with home made desserts.

That evening we made our way from Cashel to Galway, stopping in Thurles for a map. Again, getting the gps is highly recommended. Once to Galway, we settled in and saw another hotel wedding. The next day we were set to take a ferry ride.