Galway—Tuesday

 April 23rd

Today it felt like we saw the Ireland of our imagination. We took the Aran Islands day trip and Cliffs of Moher cruise and drove through the Burren. Our pictures can't capture the dramatic beauty of the countryside and Atlantic Wild Way but we tried. 

The drive from Galway through Doolin to Inis Oiir (Inisheer) Island ferry.

Ya, I'm happy Dave's driving.

"Formed millions of years ago beneath long-forgotten tropical seas, the limestone landscape of the Burren has led to a form of farming that is hardy, with a history that dates back over 6,000 years. The ancient tradition of 'Winterage' – allowing cattle to graze the hills in winter – continues to this day, clearing the ground of tough grasses and making way for plant life to flourish come springtime.

For such a rocky place, the Burren has a poetic beauty that has captivated the hearts and minds of poets, painters, artists and writers. You'll feel it as you walk along butter-colored Fanore Beach, backed by a bare limestone hill and lapped by the Atlantic Ocean. You'll feel it as you walk over terraces of rock that cascade down to the sea, or as you gaze at the gravity-defying Poulnabrone Dolmen, built over 5,800 years ago and set within this rocky terrain." (https://www.ireland.com/en-us/destinations/regions/the-burren/)

Walking Inis Oiis (Inisheer), the smallest of the three Aran Islands with 300 permanent residents.

"Inis Oirr (Inisheer) is the smallest of the islands is characterized by its distinctive charm. This Aran island is close to the Burren with its unusual natural features including an eclectic mix of color and the Cliffs of Moher clearly visible in all its panoramic splendor. The Island itself also has the true feel of a classical isolated fishing village. From the pier you are greeted with a pristine carpeted white sandy beach facing clear crystal turquoise water and plenty of fishing boats, their nets, and fisherman returning at the end of the day with their catch.

The main village area is right next to the beach and is enclosed by a small hill with a castle and a fort at the top as if they are taking care of the islanders and its visitors. The island is 3km by 3km wide with small hills and intricate little valleys and is easily covered by foot or by bike. The walk to the lighthouse or the shipwreck of the Plassy is a great occasion where you feel the island with its diverse landscape unfold before your eyes." (https://www.aranislands.ie/inis-oirr-inisheer-island)

Gate to the park that is also part of the schoolyard.

O'Brien's Castle, 15th century.

Each ferry to the island carries about 150 passengers.

Typical island home.

Stone fences created from clearing the land.

The Plassey Shipwreck caught in a storm in the 60's.

The Cliffs of Moher are in the background. The day

was clear and the cliffs, although seven miles away,

are still imposing.

We rounded the pathway and came across this
friendly worker.

He was reluctant to see us go, but had to push on
because we only had 2.5 hours for exploration,

Second best view on the island.

Like much of Ireland, stones were cleared from
fields to make pasture and farm land.

A short cut to O'Brien's Castle.

O'Brien's Castle up close. The video is a panoramic
view of the island, scanning from the north to the
east and ending in the south.

Inisheer village from O'Brien's Castle, the highest
point on the island.

Recess.

Looking back to O'Brien's Castle from the beach.

The Cliffs of Moher from the ferry and lunch break in Doolin.

I can't do these cliffs justice so you 

can read about them here. If you are 

a Princess Bride fan, and who isn't, 

you'll be thinking  they look a lot like

the "Cliffs of Insanity". That's because 

they were featured in the movie.

They were also featured in Harry 

Potter and the Half-Blood Prince 

as well as several other movies.

The next set of pictures were taken 

from the ferry.

Looks like the "Cliffs of Insanity" to me.

After cruising along the Cliffs of 

Moher, we stopped for lunch before

approaching the cliffs from the top.

We enjoyed a smoked salmon salad

with buttered Irish brown bread and

a side of chips. (i.e. fries)

The pub and our bus.

Driving to the top of the Cliffs of Moher after lunch.

We made the drive, but the intrepid
can walk the 3 mile path to the
crest of the cliffs.

From the top of the cliffs looking south.

Same view close up.

And closer yet. 

Looking back 7 miles to Inish Oiis Island.

There are 150 steps to the top of the cliffs, but
the drop to the sea is 702 feet.

We decided not to take this trail.

The drive back to Galway.

The drive back in the late afternoon light was as
stunning as the landscapes across the Burren and
overlooking Galway Bay.