The weather has changed dramatically with rain and some wind. It is supposed to clear up for a couple of days in Cork.
Take care.
K & M
I'll try to include a short video of the music.
Location:Rivervale,Doolin,Ireland
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Foolin in Doolin 2
We went off to Fitzpatrick's Pub to listen to Foolin in Doolin again. As promised, Maurice Lennon sat in with the band again and Karol, the banjo player, was there as well. The music was even better than the first night and we stayed to close the pub. Luckily today is a travel day to Cork...maybe catch up on some sleep on the coach.
The weather has changed dramatically with rain and some wind. It is supposed to clear up for a couple of days in Cork.
Take care.
K & M
I'll try to include a short video of the music.
The weather has changed dramatically with rain and some wind. It is supposed to clear up for a couple of days in Cork.
Take care.
K & M
I'll try to include a short video of the music.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Foolin' in Doolin
We got a free bus ride over to Doolin from Galway with Healy Tours because we had taken two bus tours with them...good deal. Healy Bus Tours and all their drivers have been great. We we got in to town we checked into our guest house and went over to the tourist info building to book our ferry tickets to Inis Oirr, the smallest of the Aran Islands. We decided to walk down to the pier to see where we would catch the ferry the next morning, about a 20 minute walk through Doolin and various cow pastures. We got there and I was taking pictures when the camera battery died. I hadn't brought the extra battery because we had intended to only be out for a short time. As we're heading back to our B&B one of the workers (either the manager or the owner) of Doolin2Aran Ferries asked if we needed a ticket on the ferry. We told him we had just bought tickets for Inis Oirr for tomorrow, so he says that they have lots of space for the Cliffs of Moher ferry tour and we could go on for free...great....except my camera has no power. It was a beautiful trip and I finally got over the fact that I couldn't take any pictures at one of the most picturesque places I've been to.
Later that night, after an excellent meal at our guest house we headed off for a pub....what a surprise. We went to McGann's, one of the 4 pubs in the small town of Doolin. We were treated to some very edgy trad music with a duo called Foolin in Doolin, or Blackie and Friends. Blackie plays the Uillian pipes Cyril plays the Irish bouzouki and sings. They were joined by Geraldine MacGowan who sang some beautiful ballads when the duo took a break. Later they were joined by an original member of Stockton's wing, Maurice Lennon on the fiddle. The music was incredible! We hope to see them again tonight at Fitzpatrick's Pub. We actually got to talk to Maurice Lennon today on one of our strolls.
Today we went to Inis Oirr, but only walked, no tandem this time. Another beautiful, very peaceful island. We were able to alter our ticket and got to go back past the Cliffs of Moher and this time my camera battery was charged and my back up was in my pack.
Ireland remains a very special place...hopefully it continues.
Hope all is well.
K & M
Why I'm not renting a car.
Later that night, after an excellent meal at our guest house we headed off for a pub....what a surprise. We went to McGann's, one of the 4 pubs in the small town of Doolin. We were treated to some very edgy trad music with a duo called Foolin in Doolin, or Blackie and Friends. Blackie plays the Uillian pipes Cyril plays the Irish bouzouki and sings. They were joined by Geraldine MacGowan who sang some beautiful ballads when the duo took a break. Later they were joined by an original member of Stockton's wing, Maurice Lennon on the fiddle. The music was incredible! We hope to see them again tonight at Fitzpatrick's Pub. We actually got to talk to Maurice Lennon today on one of our strolls.
Today we went to Inis Oirr, but only walked, no tandem this time. Another beautiful, very peaceful island. We were able to alter our ticket and got to go back past the Cliffs of Moher and this time my camera battery was charged and my back up was in my pack.
Ireland remains a very special place...hopefully it continues.
Hope all is well.
K & M
Why I'm not renting a car.
Location:Rivervale,Doolin,Ireland
Monday, May 28, 2012
Last day in Galway
"There are only three kinds of Irish men who can't understand women— young men, old men, and men of middle age."
We took our second bus tour with Healy's, our first choice in tours, to Kylemore Abbey. The day was brilliant, once again. We spent two hours at the abbey and the Victorian walled garden and could have easily spent the day there. On our return to Galway we went out for a grand dinner out at Ard Bia (high food) at Nimmo's on the river Corrib....excellent. We then strolled through a seedy part of town where we eventually came to the Galway Cathedral and then on to the University of Galway. We took the river walk back to town and visited a couple of pubs..one had an 18 piece jazz band and the other had a great guitarist who played old American covers...
Galway is a party town, even on a Monday night...lots of very, very,very,very short skirts on the Galway girls.
In the morning we bought Mary her Claddagh ring...one of our "to do's" on our 25th anniversary tour, and picked it up this evening...she's very happy.
We're off to Doolin tomorrow in search of some authentic trad music.
I'm also including a picture of the bicycle that Mary and I used to conquer the Aran Island of Inis Mor.
Slainte!
K & m
We took our second bus tour with Healy's, our first choice in tours, to Kylemore Abbey. The day was brilliant, once again. We spent two hours at the abbey and the Victorian walled garden and could have easily spent the day there. On our return to Galway we went out for a grand dinner out at Ard Bia (high food) at Nimmo's on the river Corrib....excellent. We then strolled through a seedy part of town where we eventually came to the Galway Cathedral and then on to the University of Galway. We took the river walk back to town and visited a couple of pubs..one had an 18 piece jazz band and the other had a great guitarist who played old American covers...
Galway is a party town, even on a Monday night...lots of very, very,very,very short skirts on the Galway girls.
In the morning we bought Mary her Claddagh ring...one of our "to do's" on our 25th anniversary tour, and picked it up this evening...she's very happy.
We're off to Doolin tomorrow in search of some authentic trad music.
I'm also including a picture of the bicycle that Mary and I used to conquer the Aran Island of Inis Mor.
Slainte!
K & m
Location:Bóthar Irwin,Galway,Ireland
Bus Tour 1
"An rud a líonas an tsúil líonann sé an "
- What fills the eye fills the heart.
Here are some pics of our bus trip to the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren.
- What fills the eye fills the heart.
Here are some pics of our bus trip to the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren.
Location:Bóthar Irwin,Galway,Ireland
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Oileain Arann
"An áit a bhuil do chroí is ann a thabharfas do chosa "
- Your feet will bring you to where your heart is.
We were able to catch a shuttle bus and ferry to Inis Mor, the largest of the Aran Islands. Once there we had a choice of how to travel the Ring of Aran, horse and buggy, tour van or....bicycle. Much to Mary's disappointment I chose a tandem bike. On the first hill I was regretting my choice as the language started come from behind me...not exactly ancient Gaelic, if you know what I mean. But we managed quite well with lots of stops and encouragement. It helped a great deal when we came upon a beautiful sandy beach and we each dipped our feet in the Atlantic.
We pushed on to the main attraction of the island, Dun Aonghasa, a Circular Celtic Stone for built inc. 2000 BC. It is situated at the edge of very steep cliffs which we both looked over by lying on our stomachs with the other person holding onto our legs.
From there we continued biking and walking the island. The air turned a different shade of blue again when Mary discovered the bike's chain oil had found its way to the bottom of her pant leg...not a pretty sight and the pant leg was quite a mess, too.
We prevailed though and finished the ride with a cold pint...all is good.
We ate at McDonagh's (excellent suggestion Neil) where we met a lovely older Galwegian who shared a lot of his life experiences with us.
Hope all is well with you.
Take care.
K & M
- Your feet will bring you to where your heart is.
We were able to catch a shuttle bus and ferry to Inis Mor, the largest of the Aran Islands. Once there we had a choice of how to travel the Ring of Aran, horse and buggy, tour van or....bicycle. Much to Mary's disappointment I chose a tandem bike. On the first hill I was regretting my choice as the language started come from behind me...not exactly ancient Gaelic, if you know what I mean. But we managed quite well with lots of stops and encouragement. It helped a great deal when we came upon a beautiful sandy beach and we each dipped our feet in the Atlantic.
We pushed on to the main attraction of the island, Dun Aonghasa, a Circular Celtic Stone for built inc. 2000 BC. It is situated at the edge of very steep cliffs which we both looked over by lying on our stomachs with the other person holding onto our legs.
From there we continued biking and walking the island. The air turned a different shade of blue again when Mary discovered the bike's chain oil had found its way to the bottom of her pant leg...not a pretty sight and the pant leg was quite a mess, too.
We prevailed though and finished the ride with a cold pint...all is good.
We ate at McDonagh's (excellent suggestion Neil) where we met a lovely older Galwegian who shared a lot of his life experiences with us.
Hope all is well with you.
Take care.
K & M
Location:Bóthar Irwin,Galway,Ireland
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Kilkenny on to Galway
For our last night in Kilkenny we went out for an excellent dinner at Cafe Sol and then went of for a pint and some trad music at Andrew Ryan's pub.
The next day we spent several hours on trains from Kilkenny to Dublin and the on to Galway. Our apartment here is great. Lots of room, lots of appliances, including a washing machine and dryer...no hand washing clothes for a couple of days. We strolled around downtown Galway and along the Corib River...it is an active college town, lots of young people with partying in mind!
At four in the morning we were woken by the building's smoke/security alarm going off. A horrible piercing noise. We couldn't figure out what was going on. After a struggle to get out of our room (a very interesting lock system) we ended up outside with everyone going down the stairs where we were assured that it was a false alarm. Back up the stairs and to sleep. We hope to get to the Aran Islands today,
take care
K & M
The next day we spent several hours on trains from Kilkenny to Dublin and the on to Galway. Our apartment here is great. Lots of room, lots of appliances, including a washing machine and dryer...no hand washing clothes for a couple of days. We strolled around downtown Galway and along the Corib River...it is an active college town, lots of young people with partying in mind!
At four in the morning we were woken by the building's smoke/security alarm going off. A horrible piercing noise. We couldn't figure out what was going on. After a struggle to get out of our room (a very interesting lock system) we ended up outside with everyone going down the stairs where we were assured that it was a false alarm. Back up the stairs and to sleep. We hope to get to the Aran Islands today,
take care
K & M
Location:Bóthar Irwin,Galway,Ireland
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Second full day in Kilkenny
Two action packed days! No rest in my "Travels with Mary". Yesterday we walked around town taking in some sights and then we hopped a train for Thomastown. A short 15 minutes and we were there...and then another 15 minute walk into town. Mary's goal was to get to Jerpoint Abbey, a short 2 km out of town. We had been told not to walk the road as it is VERY dangerous. This has never stopped Mary...after all, how dangerous can walking be, she's been doing it all her life. So, halfways through our trek to the abbey, and 10 near death meetings with oncoming cars we decided we would take a taxi back...and that's a whole other story about the availability of taxis in a small town. At the Cistercian abbey we had a great tour guide who shared lots of info with us. Mary was most excited about using her seniors status in order to save money,,,"It cost me 3€ less than you.". I have a feeling I'll be hearing this quite a lot on the trip.
Today Kilkenny has been beautiful, sunny andhot! A great day for taking in all the sites. We did a self guided tour of Kilkenny Castle, a walk through St. Mary's Cathedral, the Black Abbey and St. Candice Cathedral, all impressive buildings with striking stained glass windows. At St. Candice I climbed up a tower (127 steps) and took in some panoramic scenes of the town and surrounding area. We finished off with a tour of the Smithwick's where we finished with a professionally poured glass of their pale ale....very good.
Tonight we're off for a two course dinner and then on to the pub for some more Smithwick's and music. Tomorrow is a train day back to Dublin and then on to Galway for four nights.
Take care.
K & M
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Today Kilkenny has been beautiful, sunny andhot! A great day for taking in all the sites. We did a self guided tour of Kilkenny Castle, a walk through St. Mary's Cathedral, the Black Abbey and St. Candice Cathedral, all impressive buildings with striking stained glass windows. At St. Candice I climbed up a tower (127 steps) and took in some panoramic scenes of the town and surrounding area. We finished off with a tour of the Smithwick's where we finished with a professionally poured glass of their pale ale....very good.
Tonight we're off for a two course dinner and then on to the pub for some more Smithwick's and music. Tomorrow is a train day back to Dublin and then on to Galway for four nights.
Take care.
K & M
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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