Personal Tour Ireland

A Rick of Irish Peat

Ireland is famous for its peat bogs and this fuel is still used widely in many rural areas. At this time of the year you can see the men and women out on the bogs cutting the peat and stacking it, or "footing" it as it is called. The just stand five or six pieces on their ends in a wigwam shape to let it dry out before they take it from the bogs to wherever they are going to store it for use in their fires and stoves, or "ranges", as they are called. Peat makes a lovely fire, not quite as hot as a coal fire, but a gentle warm fire with a lovely smell. I no longer burn peat but i can clearly remember the lovely smell in my home. This photo is of what they call a "rick " of turf , where they pile it up in a fashion that, even if it does rain, the water runs off and it remains usable. They usually cover the top with a canvas or something waterproof if they cannot store it in a shed.
I am presently on tour with a family group of seven who arrived to me from various locations in the USA, California (San Diego), Knoxville TN and Quincey Ill. Today they are on the Aran Islands so i am free for a while to catch up with many other things before i meet them on their arrival back later. I always look forward to hearing all about the great time they have had on the islands, and they always do. The Aran Islands are well worth a visit so keep that in mind for your own holiday here.
My present party are staying at Ross Castle just outside Moycullen in Connemara. This is a wonderful location and the castle and the luxury apartments are magnificent and a wonderful place to base yourself if you want peace and quiet. This old house was the family home of the Martin family, one of the fourteen families of this famous "City of the Tribes". It stands on the shores of the Corrib Lake in a wooded area beneath the hills of Connemara near the lovely towns of Moycullen and Oughterard. The gardens are magnificent and the place is superbly maintained. This is the perfect retreat for anybody just looking for a haven from the normal touristy thing, and a great place to base yourself for many wonderful surrounding touring areas such as Connemara, the Aran Islands, the Cliffs of Moher and the south-western regions of Mayo such as Delphi and St Patrick's holy mountains Croagh Patrick and Westport. My group will cover all of these areas with me this week and are already in love with their idyllic holiday home. This is a place where the only sounds you will hear are the sounds of nature and an early morning stroll or an evening in the garden can be nothing but good for the soul. This is something i can fit into a holiday for you if it sounds like your ideal holiday. It would also be a perfect place for a honeymoon.
If my posts are a little scarce over the next little while it will only be because i am so busy but i will do my best to write whenever i find the time.
Comments are always welcome with regard to my chauffeur drive service. For the vacation of your own personal choice drop me a line. I can tailor for you what you need.

Dave

http://www.chauffeurdriveholidays.com