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Thatch says "They liked me so much they named the pub after me!" Insert derisive comments here. 
Matt Molloy's pub in Westport looks just like the record cover and smells like socks washed in beer and left to mature in a warm damp place. 
Lurgen House B&B. This was a top B&B and they have an internet connection which their guests can use. 
On the way to Clifton you stumble on this unpretentious little mansion as seen on television, (Two Fat Ladies). Water views, desirable residence - sadly snapped up for a song by an order of Vestal Virgins. 
Dun Aengus Country House. At the top of a very steep hill, but the view over Clifton was worth lugging the suitcases up numerous flights of stairs. 
Isn't this cute - don't you just want it? Stopped us in our tracks for a closer look. 
Then there is this one we found along the same road. The gatehouse was for sale. 
They have pedestrianised Galway city. In 1996 cars traveled these same streets and battled for space with the pedestrians. It was easier to get from one side of the road to the other back then. 
Kicking and screaming Thatch was dragged to the barber for a long overdue beard trim as supervised by Jools 
This is another of the locations on a growing list that we would like to live in. (this bit's mine, this bit's mine, this bits mine...) 
Villanove B&B - Galway tucked away in a pocket of quiet and sunshine. 
Desmond Castle - Newcastle West. We stopped for lunch, walked around the corner and there it was. A modest castle that is in the process of being restored. 
Dingle Peninsular is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Ireland. Vies for scenic beauty with the Ring of Kerry, but with fewer buses. Our trusty Fiat had to reverse several times in the rain on extremely narrow roads to make way for these buses. 
Fungie the Dolphin lives in Dingle Harbour. The next time we come to visit there will be a marina here. 
Emlagh Lodge, Dingle, Co. Kerry. Where we spent hours glued to the B&B windows overlooking the bay and harbour searching for signs of Fungi. 
Dunbeg Stone Fort. Our ancestors definitely had an eye to a great view. They may not have had laptop computers or mobile phones, but they did know a good view. 
The Blaskett Islands were abandoned by the inhabitants back in the 50's. They mostly migrated to Massachusetts in the States. The islands are now an historical site. Home for nothing but sheep. 
Hurrying on to Bantry Bay we stopped at Muckross House to spend some money. This a picture of the Gatekeeper's House, several miles down the road. It didn't have a bar so we only stopped for a photo. 
The road to Bantry Bay was a photographer's dream - unfortunately it was raining so hard that we could only snap between the raindrops. 
Jools has wanted to return to Bantry Bay for the last four years. This is Bantry by night. 
Harbourview B&B in Bantry. We wanted to stay at the castle - but the inn was full. 
Watch out for Westies in the location of Mallow Castle. Karen and Seona were delighted by the attention of one little white Westie until they discovered him peeing on their waterproof. 
Flat field, big rock, cathedrals and more ruins. Quite a unique site. Over the generations this site has been inhabited by many groups. Eventually it was donated to the Roman Catholic church in exchange for political favours. It has changed hands numerous times since and these many uses are reflected in the many buildings located on the site. Needless to say it was 'up' (see previous comments about forbears and escalators) 
This detail is from the Choirs Quarters, a 15th century building which has been rebuilt and restored, based on contemporary buildings retaining original features. These wood carvings are typical of a building of that age. The choir had it's own seal which was taken away when the Bishop found out that it was being forged and used to make several clergy quite wealthy. Seems such a shame to crush such budding enterprise. 
Hor Abbey - Originally a Benedictine Abbey, but they lost favour with the Bishop up on the Rock. He installed Cistercians to take their place and they built the current ruin. (They obviously anticipated the tourist boom by several centuries.) 
Maryville B&B, Cashel. Check out the Rock behind. That was our view from the bedroom window. |
| Last updated: 26/09/2000 |
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