Yet another delightful drive along the Atlantic Coast.... although the sea was far from "Wild" today...
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| Today's journey |
I went into Galway city/town today before I left, because there's something I really enjoy about Galway. It has its own unique style and one day I'm going to spend a few days there and just explore the town.
One thing I really love about Galway is the Cathedral. I remember last time I visited, I had my camera accidentally on the wrong settings and all my pics came out blurred. So today I was ready for action and took a heap of photos.
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| The Cathedral from the outside |
There's something almost mystical about this Cathedral. As you would perhaps realise through following this blog, I have visited quite a few Cathedrals and Churches over the course of the journey. But this one stands out.... not quite sure why, but it's always first thing I do in Galway!
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| Galway Cathedral |
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| Galway Cathedral |
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| Galway Cathedral |
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| Galway Cathedral |
I love this side altar....
Lit a candle for all my family and friends as usual ... top right as usual...
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| Candles and prayers to St Joseph |
One more for my family at home.... can't resist Our Lady of Perpetual Succour from my home parish of Wattle Park...
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| Our Lady of Perpetual Succour |
After all that holiness and mysticism I ventured outside into the city..
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| Walked over the river... |
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| Love the flowers on the pub |
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| Statue of Oscar Wilde |
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| Galway town |
Bit of history...
Then it was time to move on, but first I had to find my car.... I knew vaguely where the Cathedral was (I had parked in the car park there...) but I was going the wrong way around.... I asked one lady who kind of pointed in the right direction.... then I asked another lady and she walked that way with me. People are so kind over here when you ask for directions...
So, back onto the WAW again.... once again I chose the coast road and once again it wound in and out and round about.
The wild Atlantic was not very wild today...
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| WAW |
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| WAW |
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| WAW |
I stopped for a coffee at Ballyvaughan, which is roughly half way, but had no luck!
The pub hadn't turned their coffee machine on yet... (It was about 12 noon-ish!) . They suggested 2 little coffee shops I might try... The first one was absolutely full, so couldn't stay there, and the other one was closed for a few days! In fact I tried 3 other possibilities on the way through, and for various reasons, they were all closed today! Ended up coming all the way through to Lahinch and getting a toasted sandwich and a coffee at my favourite pub - The Shamrock Inn.
As you drive down the coast you go through
The Burren...
The word “Burren” comes from an Irish word “Boíreann” meaning a rocky place. This is an extremely appropriate name when you consider the lack of soil cover and the extent of exposed Limestone Pavement. However it has been referred to in the past as “Fertile rock” due to the mixture of nutrient rich herb and floral species.
It's a weird landscape because it appears so barren and rocky. Yet apparently it houses a bio--diversity of flora within it's boundaries....
It was hard to get a good picture of it from the road...
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| Road through The Burren |
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| Road through The Burren |
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| Road through The Burren |
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| Road through The Burren |
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| Road through The Burren |
Arrived safely at Lahinch and got myself settled in at Cois Farraige B&B. I've stayed here before and I loved it, so I'm glad to be back here.
Went down to the beach and had a walk along the promenade..
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| Lahinch Beach |
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| Lahinch Beach |
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| Lahinch Beach - Cliffs of Moher in background |
It's a funny feeling, being in the land of my forebears..... There's a certain at-homeness that is comfortable and a feeling of belonging. My 5 times great grandfather migrated from here in the late 1800s and there are still Curtins in the family home. I'm about to catch up with our relatives tonight hopefully.
It's a good feeling being here.... I'm glad I'm staying for a few days.
Galway Cathedral was very impressive and when I looked it up on Wiki it said it is just over 50 years old. Unbelievable. The Renaissance architecture is superb. Enjoy the local hospitality.
ReplyDeleteYes they had posters up about the 50 years, but I didn’t read them all. There is something about the architecture that is very attractive and as soon as you walk in you go wow...!!! There are no probs with Irish hospitality. Ordered the half serve of the roast last night at The Shamrock Inn and it would’ve fed 3 people... 😳😳😳
DeleteHi Moira, love Galway Cathedral! The photo of the altar with the two angels with their large wings looks like a medieval painting. So beautiful!
DeleteBeautiful pics petal..I especially love the image of Our Lady. You sound very happy being in Galway. Wish we could come over and enjoy a fab pub lunch together! X
ReplyDeleteIve always loved the icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour as it reminds me of my childhood..Galway was lovely but County Clare is the best!!!! Love Lahinch. It’s a great little seaside town, but it’s country as well. Would love to share an Irish lunch with you too!!!
DeleteLove the Cathedral. You are so right about the feeling of at-homeness in the land of your forebears. I felt it when I returned to England, especially in the village I was born in. It is as if your genes stir and settle with a comfortable: " Ahh". Xx
ReplyDeleteWE have this conversation often, don’t we??? But it’s so true, Denise. I love the way you say the genes stir!!!! great way of describing it...
DeleteI was talking to someone about that very same feeling I had in Killarney in Ireland of being connected and at home despite having never been there before. You just kind of feel it in your waters 😄 Or is it a connection of the soul?
ReplyDeleteI think it’s a bit of both... as Denise described it above, your genes do stir, but I think,your soul and spirit stirs too.... I’ve alway felt at home here in Clare from the first time I came... Maybe it’s something to do with the Irish welcome too!!!
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