Galway and end of tour

We woke to a magnificent day. Blue skies in Ireland are really something to be thrilled about and we had  more than our fair share.

It was our final day. Sad really because we were just getting to know each other, but we had certainly seen and done a lot in four days. Today was to be no different.

County Galway is home to the country's largest Irish- speaking ,Gaeltacht,  region. The area  around the city of Galway is really pretty with all its stone walls and tiny white stone cottages. With the sun on them they were even more eye- catching. Luckily I was sitting at the front of the bus in the morning and could request more photo stops. Tom doesn't always think about them - the roads and crazy drivers engage his attention.

 

We had a long morning tea and sightseeing stop at a very picturesque little town called Cong. It became famous after a film with John Wayne, The Quiet Man, was filmed there. Hence the statue!

 

I think a guided tour might have been good, but as it was there was plenty to see and I enjoyed mooching around away from the tourists - there were so many buses in such a small place, but I frequently managed to lose them all. This street with its cute cottages has the unfortunate name ' Dead Man's Lane'. There must be an interesting story behind that.

The town has a lot to offer with the film setting, an old monastery with beautiful cemetery, pretty gardens and a tiny river flowing through the centre, with magnificent flower baskets and old stone bridges. This sculpture below was made from a branch of a tree found deep in the peat bogs, appearing to have been burnt but actually simply taking on the colour from the tanin. 

 

The signs appealed to me. I thought they could provide interesting materials in a language class! It seemed from the sign that it was an extremely dangerous spot to be, and yet without the tour buses it would have been a tranquil paradise!one can only imagine that health and safety regulations must be a little over the top!

 

They certainly could give me some lessons on flower baskets. I guess the moist weather and lack of fierce sun helps a lot.

 My it was fantastic to then have a few hours in Galway, which was probably my favourite larger Irish city. There were a lot of students there which probably gave it its buzz. There was such a vibrant feel about the place with all the buskers,, particularly musicians, and the wee stores were really attractive. There is a massive pedestrianised area making it perfect for all the street entertainment.

We found quite a posh hotel with secluded garden to enjoy a delicious lunch without the hustle and bustle of the tourist streets. Sun and shade was what we needed. Sun for Trudi and shade for me. Perfect there! 

 

We saw the start of this sand sculpture, which was nearing completion only one hour later. Really lovely and cleverly done.

 

The final stop before we were dropped off was at the Kilbeggan distillery. As non whisky drinkers we just took the tour without tasters. I am really pleased I did, as it was fantastically interesting. It is the oldest working whiskey distillery in Ireland. Some of the machinery is 200 years old and the old mill still works but is now a museum, with a small modernised working version of the distillery next  door.

 

Back to Dublin and time to say 'goodbye'. Ireland was a super mix of independent travel and guided tour. Perfect. Thanks Trudi for accompanying me. I think we both had a brilliant time.