Connemara

We drove from Cong to Clifden a couple of days ago.  The roads we were on (345, 346 and N59) took us through Corr na Mona, An Mam, Mam Cross, Derrylea, and Clifden where we parked and strolled the shops.  Of course it was raining...actually Tim said it was a "soft rain".  Quite use to it now...but sure could use some sunshine.  We have read many of Father Andrew Greeley's books (he died a few years back) and Connemara (which is an area) is where his Irish characters are located.  Nuala is one of his female characters and who we named our rescue dog for (she now has a new family and new name of Blue).  So we named our GPS Nuala.  The area is also known for marble and Tim wanted to get some "worry stones". I'm not sure why since I've never know the man to worry about anything.

We left Clifden and continued on to Moyard and Letterfrack.  Don't you just love these names? How did they come up with Letterfrack?  We stopped at Connemara National Park Visitor Center.  Lots of cars, busses and campers.  Their campers here are either Class B or Class B+.  Their Visitor Center is a lesson on "boglands".  Peat is cut from bogs and is still used as fuel.  Google "bog" to get a definition.  We continued on and stopped at Kylemore Abbey and Garden.  This place was beautiful.  And, there were lots of people and a gazillion busses.  It cost 15 Euros each to tour the inside and we took a pass.  Way too many people and we don't do lines.  Got some great pictures of the outside and the grounds.  From the Abbey we drove to Leenane (where many scenes from The Quiet Man were filmed) and then made our way back to Cong.

Yesterday we went to Ashford Castle which is down the road from where we are staying.  It, too, has quite a history belonging once to the Guinness family.  You can stay there (quite pricey) and has award winning restaurants (also pricey).  We thought the Abbey was more photogenic.

We're winding down our stay in Cong and will be heading to the southwest on Tuesday.  Hoping for less rain, some sunshine and better wifi.

Slan go Foill