Ireland 2026; Day Ten

 

Hands down, yesterday was the prettiest day we have ever spent at Inis Mor in the Aran Islands. After a day of drenching rain and wind, the sun came out, and the bluest of skies and relative warmth reigned over the island.

Bill and I made it to the ferry in plenty of time yesterday morning. Once again, it was fun to see the ladies from the Seattle area who are traveling around Ireland on a Rick Steves tour.

We met their tour guide yesterday.  She is from Belfast, and the group raved about how wonderful she has been as a guide.

The 40-minute ferry ride was wonderful as the ocean water was smooth.  No real need to wear those bracelets that help you avoid sea sickness.

Our time on the island was about as pleasant laid back as ever.  We’ve seen most of the highlights of Inis Mor, which is home to about 800 islanders and a brief home to thousands and thousands of visitors every year.

We first reconnected with our friend Bridie and her fiancé at The Bar and soon walked to the St. Oliver Plunket Catholic Church where I lit some more candles. The altar area in the church has a portrait of Carlos Acutis, the first millennial saint who dies at age 15 and was canonized last year. 

Then, we boarded a van driven by Tony, a former fisherman.  While pointing out sights along the way, he took us to the other end of the island where woolen goods and other beautiful gift items are sold.

That area has a popular restaurant, and yesterday visitors were enjoying their food outdoors in the pleasant sunshine.

It’s a place of commerce and colorful sights, including carriages, vans and oodles of bicycles and, of course people enjoying the island.

Later, we rode the van back to The Bar where Dominic, the chef, prepared us each a wonderful meal. Our friend Bridie, who leases and manages The Bar, did a little art work on Bill’s Guinness.

The place filled up quickly, so when we finished our meal, we left and each walked around on our own until it was time to go back to the ferry.  Happily, Bridie and Steve were also taking the ferry back to the mainland near Galway so we enjoyed a wonderful visit.

Once we arrived in Clifden, we spent about an hour at Ravi’s listening to another round of lively Irish music.

It was again a great day and extra special because we had the opportunity to see our friend who has been so gracious and generous to us over the years.  We’re looking forward to the day that she decided to make a trip our way so we can reciprocate and so she can meet her namesake.

In the meantime, we’ll stay in touch virtually.

Today we move on from Clifden and the daily treat of Sue’s pancakes and other tasty items on the breakfast menu at Sharamore House.  

Tonight we’ll stay in another new accommodation in Gweedore, County Donegal, where Irish is the predominant language.  Looking forward the new adventure on Ireland's west coast. 

Again, we keep pinching ourselves about how amazing this trip has been.  We are grateful, to say the least. 

Happy Sunday.  

These people love their Border Collie "Paint," so much that they take him on all their trips. 

St. Carlos, the first millennial saint. 

Another amazingly tasty meal for my sensitive stomach.  Bill says that maybe Ireland needs to call chicken, mashed potatoes and purried carrots "Marianne's dish."  

I have definitely been able to enjoy life after eating this combination. 

Thank you, Bridie, for your wonderful hospitality at The Bar. 

Steve helps Bridie manage The Bar; he is also her fiancee. 

Our friend John from Sharamore House is very familiar with these boats as he serves in the RNLI. 

Ireland 2026; Day Nine

 

Bill and John Brittain.  

John, a fisherman, and his wife Sue own Sharamore House where we have stayed for years on our Ireland trips. 

It was the worst of days; then it was the best of days.

That’s how I’d sum up our experience yesterday.

We were set to catch the ferry to the Aran Island of Inis Mor on a rainy and windy morning, and we got a late start.

By the time we had driven through almost an hour of wet, wet, wet and wind, wind, wind, the ferry had already left.

What a letdown as we were looking most forward to seeing our friends on the island.

Knowing one would not be there today, I was reluctant to switch the ferry tickets.  They were nonrefundable so that was the only good choice to make.

Later, I learned that the horrible weather on the mainland was probably worse on the island AND that our friend Bridie would be there today after all. So, after a disappointing few moments on an ugly day, our spirits lifted.

We HAD made the right choice with the tickets.

AND today calls for much better weather.

With most of a day in front of us, we chose to drive to Cong, which is in Connemara County. It’s the adorable little town where the famous film with John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara was filmed 75 years ago. Lots of memorabilia from the movie days.

We visited there last year and loved the experience, so even on a rainy day, it was a good destination. Rain lingered through part of our visit but eventually we could see some blue skies and even later the blue and the sun dominated.

Suddenly, the landscape glistened and colors turned from blah to stunning.  A beautiful afternoon brought forth the absolute magnificence of the Irish countryside.

We stopped at Connemara Woolens where I picked up a new supply of cards created by amazing multi-media artist Suzie Sullivan.

Gregg Thompson, who runs the store, also gave us a map and tips on the Connemara Loop drive, which with the sunny afternoon offered the ultimate of all things that make Ireland so inviting and magical:  sheep on hillsides of lush green grass, colorful thatched-roof buildings, rock walls and fences, the ocean and one beach teeming with happy Border Collies chasing chuck-it balls across the sand.

It was simply breath-taking and beyond satisfying, especially to see 8-10 Border Collies in one stretch of beach. We spent some time talking to Paddy Sullivan who brought his family of three Collies to play on the beach.

Paddy, a confirmed sailor, spent his career as a blacksmith.  He was a delightful man who was happy to visit while his trio of black and white canine friends literally and passionately kept their eye on the ball.

We could not have ordered a better afternoon here in Ireland.  Our somber outlook of the morning events was almost instantly erased in favor of exhilaration and gratitude for each beautiful moment we experienced.

And, so the worst of days turned into one of the best afternoons ever.  We keep asking ourselves how it could get any better, but every time we come here, it does.

Once again, we spent the evening meal at Ravi’s Bar and Restaurant enjoying good food and the uplifting nostalgia of live Irish classics. 

The place is set up for its patrons to have a memorable evening of dining, dancing, clapping and visiting with other travelers from around the world.

Probably one more night at Ravi’s and the Sharamore House where Sue’s pancakes and warm hospitality, along with the always interesting clientele from around the world keep us coming year after year.

Tomorrow we’ll be on our way to Gweedmore in County Donegal.  It’s new to us so the excitement of a different Irish adventure keeps the high notes coming.

Happy Saturday.

 

If you watch CNN, who's the guy on the left's look alike?

No, he's not Doni Sullivan, but he gets asked often if he is. 

Gregg Thompson from Connemara Woolens shows Bill the route for a spectacular drive. 

This sign was nothing short of ubiquitous on our Connemara Loop drive yesterday. 

It's rare to see a log deck in Ireland.