Sligo
04 to 07 September 2024
Garvoge River, Sligo
Wednesday evening, Julie and Anthony arrived in Sligo, the Air B&B overlooked the Garvoge River. Our landlady was very sweet, she provided a bunch of pamphlets for local attractions. She also said the Sligo Abbey was in the back yard of the Apartment.
Queen Maeve’s Cairn
Thursday, J and A took a hike up to Queen Maeve’s Cairn. The walk up was very steep, but relatively short.
Julie with Ben Bulben in the distance.
A series of panels along the trail told the Legend of Queen Maeve.
We walked down the long and winding wooden stairway from the Cairn. Look Ma, no hand(rails). The “staircase” was about 2 feet wide, no handrails for, what seemed, the most part. Julie was sure this would be it for her.
But we made it!!! with no injuries! The rest of the walk was very pleasant.
Above: Garvoge River in the morning. Below: Our Air B&B, middle building on the 2nd floor.
Friday morning we drove to the Benbulben loop trail, one of the hikes recommended by our lovely Air B&B landlord.
Anthony has phantasized about flying an ultralight airplane, so he took a photo of this one from a distance.
Our next stop was the Glencar waterfall. A short walk from the road and a 99 Ice cream truck.
Anthony with two times 99 ice cream, with Glencar lake in the background.
View from Glencar lake
Secluded beach at the Aughris Coastal Walk
Julie and Anthony headed back down south to the Aughris Coastal walk. The walk took us past an historic pier, rugged coastline, secluded beaches, a neolithic hill fort and disinterested sheep in the space of a mile.
Aughris Pier
Julie on the hillfort.
It was approaching dinner time, and Julie found a promising restaurant at the Aughris Head beach. The place was packed, and it looked like there was a wedding in the adjacent campground. Parking was at a premium, but Anthony found a spot, and we had dinner in the Aughris Head Beach Bar.
Aughris Head Beach
The there was a terrific folk band playing at the wedding. We crashed and listed for a bit, before heading back to Sligo.
We made it back to Sligo at twilight, and got some photos of the river and Sligo Abbey in the dimming light.
Anthony, starting to grow a beard, much to Julie’s chagrin.
Saturday morning, Anthony got up early for a run along the Garvoge River. It was a gorgeous morning for a run, cool and sunny.
After Anthony’s Run, Julie and Anthony hit the Wild Atlantic way for the journey to Derry.
As we were driving along the coast we could see the clouds rolling in over the hills.
You pass from the Republic of Ireland (in the European Union) to Northern Ireland, in the United Kingdom. Approaching the border, Anthony was poised to photograph the great big welcome to Northern Ireland sign. However, the only indication we had passed from Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland was the speed limit signs changed from kilometers per hour to miles per hour. Of course, in Derry the currency switched from Euros to Pounds
Opinion: Art in the middle of the round about is a distraction.
Maps: 1) Queen Maeve’s Cairn 2) Benbulben Loop, Glencar Waterfall, Aughris head 3) Sligo Running 4) Wild Atlantic Way: Sligo to Derry
