Doolin/Lahinch
24 to 30 August 2024
Cliffs of Moher - Julie laughs/smirks at danger
Saturday afternoon we arrived in Doolin for a one night stay. After settling in the Air B&B we walked down the road to McDermotts pub for dinner. After dinner, Anthony walked Julie back to the room, then headed back to McDermotts for some music.
The bar was packed with a mix of locals and tourists. The locals (Irish) were dancing and singing and basically getting into the show. The tourists (Anthony included) were mostly watching the show and impressed by the energy.
After a few Smitticks, Anthony went back to the Air B&B in a light drizzle.
Yes, that is a safety vest (for a 9 year old)
Sunday we headed to our Air B&B in Lahinch via the Burrens National Park.
Peak of Burren
We start a hike up to the Peak of Burren. Julie soldiered on until the trail got too uneven for crutches and we turned back.
Bridge at Ennistymon
Monday, 26 August. Julie and Anthony take a much deserved break in the Air B&B in Lahinch.
On Tuesday, Julie and Anthony headed back to Doolin to catch the Star of Doolin Ferry to the Aran Islands and the Cliffs of Moher.
We took the ferry to the largest of the Aran Islands, Inis Mor (Inishmor). Having done no planning, besides the ferry itself, we got off the boat and started walking. We fell into a bus tour, which was going to be shortened due to a funeral on the island.
The driver took us to the ruin of Dun Aonghasa fort. This was the first time Julie had ventured out without crutches or sticks! It was a bit of a walk to the fort, a bit of a climb, but all went well. Stunning views. Being inside the fort you did not get a good sense of how cool it was. The aerial views are more impressive.
Dun Aonghasa Fort
There was a little village? tourist trap? where the bus had dropped us off, where you could buy Aran Island sweaters!! We looked, but did not find anything we liked.
We had to hike down the road a bit to catch the bus.
No need to fear! We did find a sweater for Anthony back in the town where the ferry was picking us up. Julie bought some wool gloves.
The ferry ride back took us past the Cliffs of Moher. So beautiful.
Harbor Seal
Cliffs of Moher
Harry Potter Cave
The Wild Atlantic Way took us back to L’hinch
Lahinch Golf Course
Sunset in Lahinch
Wednesday found Julie and Anthony at the Craggaunowen History Trail, which presented a mix of Irish history from the Iron age to the 20th century.
Anthony made friends in the parking lot, feeding the sheep the leaves from the trees on the ground outside of the fence.
Craggaunowen Castle built in 1550
In the Bronze Age (after around 800 BC), the Celts built manmade islands called Crannogs. There were nearly 1200 of these build in Ireland.
Thatch Huts on the Crannog
Replica Iron Age Roadway
Replica Dolmen, you may recognize this as quiot from Scotland.
In the mid 1970s, explorer Tim Sevrin built this boat using the materials that St Brendan had at his disposal. He then sailed the boat from Ireland to Newfoundland, following the path that St Brendan might have taken to visit the new world in 489 AD.
Above, a very cool lathe in an Iron Age Ring Fort.
Wild Boar - Fake
Wild Boar - Real
Quin Friary
There are lots of One lane roads in UK and Ireland. When you meet another car, one (or both) of the cars has to pull over as far to the left as possible. Proper etiquette is to wave to the other driver. There are various styles of waving, guess which one was Anthony’s and which was Julie’s
Thursday was our second attempt at Burren Peak. Julie no longer needed her crutches and replaced them with walking sticks. She was amazing.
We took the blue route
Accidental Antlers
Bits of the trail were straight up/down the cliff.
Julie and Anthony at the Summit.
We watched two huge rain storms pass though the valley while we were climbing up Burren Peak. Fortunately, both of them veered to the south and we stayed dry.
The hike was steeper down than up.
Julie, ready for this hike to be over.
The entire trail was rocky and uneven, physically and mentally exhausting.
The blue route goes this way.
After the hike, Anthony went down to Lahinch to pick up pizza. The views of the beach were gorgeous.
Saturday morning, Anthony got up early for a run along the coast.
Cregg Beach, before the fog rolled in.
The fog was rolling in from the ocean so the Lahinch beach was a bit fuzzy early on.
On our way out, we stopped off at the Cliffs of Moher, to see it from the top of the cliffs.
Drive to Galway
Back on the Wild Atlantic Way
Maps: 1) Doolin to Lahinch via the Barrens 2) Aran Islands Cruise 3) Craggaunowen History Trail 4) Barren Peak Hike 5) Lahinch Run 6) Lahinch to Galway
