Ireland Day 2
On our second full day we left Galway to make our way south. We didn't have a place to stay but knew that we wanted to take the ferry from Kilrush south across the River Shannon. There were also a few places we wanted to stop along the way. Our first stop was Dunguaire Castle outside Kinvara, thought to be 'the most photographed castle in Ireland.' Though this was unknown to us at the time. The castle sits on Galway Bay overlooking the picturesque town nearby.
The day was lovely, and we made our way around the castle with Soren tight in his carrier. He loves all things outside and adventure-like. Even when he was very little and it would get to be his 'witching hour' I would often just take him and sit outside. Needless to say he loved Ireland. We took the opportunity to take some pictures of him playing in the grass. Although he didn't learn to crawl in Ireland, he was very close, so it was fun to watch his progression.
We loaded Soren back into the car and set off towards the Poulnabrone Dolmen, while driving through the countryside in Ireland known as the Burren. It's such an interesting part of the country, very different than the lush green countryside that most of the country is. The Burren means 'great rock', and that is what it is composed of, great big limestone rocks. Though it looks different, and perhaps a little desolate, this area in Ireland is home to over 80% of the flora and fauna varieties in Ireland. At a glance, and perhaps from far away it doesn't seem like much to behold, but then you get out and start exploring the crags and crannies of the rocks and your eyes alight on a purple flower leading you to some new flower, moss, grass, etc. It was beautiful.
Because, dear readers, this blog has turned into not just a blog about travel and adventure, but also about our wonderful boy, I feel I must disclose this adventure in parenting with you. On the way to the Poulnabrone you pull off from a 'main' road and twist your way up through the Burren, there is not much around. On this 10-15 minute drive our little boy decided to poop. I figured we would just change him once we'd arrived. Once we arrived at the parking lot I told Patrick to go ahead, but after realizing the pickle I was in I quickly begged him back. We had a poopsplosion, in the middle of nowhere. Luckily we had lots of wipes and our suitcase was in the back of the car, because my little boy would certainly need a change of clothes.
This little set back didn't stop us from enjoying our trip. If anything it's a story to embarrass Soren with one day, heck I even have the pictures to prove it. Back to our tour, the Poulnabrone Dolmen is an ancient tomb dating back to the neolithic period (4200-2900 BC). There are many such dolmens scattered throughout Ireland but the Poulnabrone is the most easily accessed. Three stone slabs make up the dolmen, which weighs around a ton.
After our drive back down we continued our way south, towards the Cliffs of Moher. The cliffs are spectacular. In years past you've been able to belly your way right up to the edge, but the wind gusts are quite strong which sadly led to too many deaths. Now they are constructing a great stone slab wall away from the edge. In fact you can walk all the way to the distant end of the cliffs, but it has been closed for some time until the construction of the wall is complete. We spent nearly three hours just walking and enjoying the view. Soren had a nice nap in his carrier, so he missed some of the scenery.
We were unsure where we were going to stay the night, and eventually we decided to go to Kilrush where we would be catching our ferry to cross the River Shannon the next day. The roads in Ireland are much better labeled than the roads in Italy, however, many were small country roads, and so it was still easy to lose your way. Luckily the people are so wonderful and helpful, we were able to get back on track.
We made it to Kilrush, which is a cute little town, but still we had no place to lay our heads. The B&B's in town looked as though they left much to be desired, so I asked my dear husband to drive just out of town a bit on the main road (which we didn't arrive on because of our being a bit turned around), and up atop the hill was a beautiful home with a B&B sign. I asked Patrick to stop and I went in to inquire after a room. Luckily there was one left and they had a cot (pack and play) for Soren! We brought our things in and got a recommendation for dinner (that was excellent). We also made friends with our fellow guests and the proprietors, or rather Soren did. The next day we had a lovely breakfast smoked salmon (lox) and scrambled eggs for Soren and I (Soren adored the lox! I would get them most days for breakfast and he would eat as much or more than me.) and a full Irish Breakfast fry up for Patrick. If ever you happen to be in Kilrush, here is the B&B Hillcrest View B&B.
The day was lovely, and we made our way around the castle with Soren tight in his carrier. He loves all things outside and adventure-like. Even when he was very little and it would get to be his 'witching hour' I would often just take him and sit outside. Needless to say he loved Ireland. We took the opportunity to take some pictures of him playing in the grass. Although he didn't learn to crawl in Ireland, he was very close, so it was fun to watch his progression.
We loaded Soren back into the car and set off towards the Poulnabrone Dolmen, while driving through the countryside in Ireland known as the Burren. It's such an interesting part of the country, very different than the lush green countryside that most of the country is. The Burren means 'great rock', and that is what it is composed of, great big limestone rocks. Though it looks different, and perhaps a little desolate, this area in Ireland is home to over 80% of the flora and fauna varieties in Ireland. At a glance, and perhaps from far away it doesn't seem like much to behold, but then you get out and start exploring the crags and crannies of the rocks and your eyes alight on a purple flower leading you to some new flower, moss, grass, etc. It was beautiful.
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| The Burren in the foreground. |
Because, dear readers, this blog has turned into not just a blog about travel and adventure, but also about our wonderful boy, I feel I must disclose this adventure in parenting with you. On the way to the Poulnabrone you pull off from a 'main' road and twist your way up through the Burren, there is not much around. On this 10-15 minute drive our little boy decided to poop. I figured we would just change him once we'd arrived. Once we arrived at the parking lot I told Patrick to go ahead, but after realizing the pickle I was in I quickly begged him back. We had a poopsplosion, in the middle of nowhere. Luckily we had lots of wipes and our suitcase was in the back of the car, because my little boy would certainly need a change of clothes.
This little set back didn't stop us from enjoying our trip. If anything it's a story to embarrass Soren with one day, heck I even have the pictures to prove it. Back to our tour, the Poulnabrone Dolmen is an ancient tomb dating back to the neolithic period (4200-2900 BC). There are many such dolmens scattered throughout Ireland but the Poulnabrone is the most easily accessed. Three stone slabs make up the dolmen, which weighs around a ton.
After our drive back down we continued our way south, towards the Cliffs of Moher. The cliffs are spectacular. In years past you've been able to belly your way right up to the edge, but the wind gusts are quite strong which sadly led to too many deaths. Now they are constructing a great stone slab wall away from the edge. In fact you can walk all the way to the distant end of the cliffs, but it has been closed for some time until the construction of the wall is complete. We spent nearly three hours just walking and enjoying the view. Soren had a nice nap in his carrier, so he missed some of the scenery.
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| Before Soren's cozy nap. |
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| It was quite windy, and it started to drizzle a bit on our way out, but that's why I love his carrier, between his body heat, and mine we are always warm. |
We were unsure where we were going to stay the night, and eventually we decided to go to Kilrush where we would be catching our ferry to cross the River Shannon the next day. The roads in Ireland are much better labeled than the roads in Italy, however, many were small country roads, and so it was still easy to lose your way. Luckily the people are so wonderful and helpful, we were able to get back on track.
We made it to Kilrush, which is a cute little town, but still we had no place to lay our heads. The B&B's in town looked as though they left much to be desired, so I asked my dear husband to drive just out of town a bit on the main road (which we didn't arrive on because of our being a bit turned around), and up atop the hill was a beautiful home with a B&B sign. I asked Patrick to stop and I went in to inquire after a room. Luckily there was one left and they had a cot (pack and play) for Soren! We brought our things in and got a recommendation for dinner (that was excellent). We also made friends with our fellow guests and the proprietors, or rather Soren did. The next day we had a lovely breakfast smoked salmon (lox) and scrambled eggs for Soren and I (Soren adored the lox! I would get them most days for breakfast and he would eat as much or more than me.) and a full Irish Breakfast fry up for Patrick. If ever you happen to be in Kilrush, here is the B&B Hillcrest View B&B.
My Two Handsome men at Breakfast
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| Soren made friends with the fellow guests. |
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