Tag Archives: western ireland

What to do when it really rains in Ireland

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No rain dates for sheep or sheep herding dogs (or their shepherd). The work continues regardless of the weather

There was only one day (well, may one more, but mostly all afternoon that day) of our entire August-early September visit to Co. Clare when the rain fell in buckets the entire day. Other days often had mist, or overcast, two days were bright and sunny, but one day was clearly a “what shall we do so we don’t spend the day drenched?” sort of day.

As is was, we had already picked out a few “indoor option” destinations just for a day such as we had. We visited the sheepdog demonstrations  at Caherconnell Fort which provided a tent for shelter for visitors. Continue reading

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The Cliffs of Moher and Aran Islands

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Despite the crowds,the Cliffs of Moher do not disappoint

Choosing to go to Ireland in August is choosing to join 50,000 of your best friends when you visit the Cliffs of Moher. We read that if you wait till after 4PM you will have fewer fellow travelers on the trail, but of course this was read in hindsight. Continue reading

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The Burren Way and other Easy Walks-Ireland

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View of the landscape and the ocean from the Blackhead trail, part of the Burren way

We spent almost our entire visit in Co. Clare, which is known for its karst features–limestone landscape that reaches all the way to the shore in many areas. My husband has a passion for caves and karst is where you’ll find caves (created from dissolving limestone). But this is also extremely rugged landscape and so finding Easy Walks for me to enjoy was a real challenge. Thankfully, many feet have trodden these paths before us, and it was a matter of discovering where those paths were, and where we were welcome. Continue reading

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Just outside my Window–Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare, Ireland

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One of the picture perfect days we enjoyed in Ballyvaughan

As part of our planning when we travel, we work to find a place to “park” me as it were, to allow me to rest when needed. My stamina is limited, but I love to experience what I can take in. We found the perfect spot for eight days right on the edge of Ballyvaughan, overlooking Galway Bay.  Continue reading

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Seeking Easy Walks along the Wild Atlantic Way in Western Ireland

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Sun setting into the Atlantic near Spanish Point, Co. Clare

My husband had wanted to visit Ireland for years. We recently spotted a new service flying to Ireland from Providence with Norwegian Air and decided to go for it. Summer temperatures rarely get into the 70’s in the summer so this would be a respite for me from New England’s summer. Jon longed to see the limestone karst areas of the Burren, which has some pretty rugged landscape. I hungered for time near the ocean, with opportunities to find Easy Walks. We found a perfect spot to spend a week in Ballyvaughan, County Clare, but were unable to get into the house rental till the day after we arrived. Continue reading

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