My latest touring companions, Carolyn and Gavin, arrived in Ireland last Friday, and we started our tour together on Sunday. Last night they stayed at the G Hotel in Galway city (picture above), and this morning i collected them for our trip to Connemara today. They had enjoyed their Galway adventure yesterday, especially the exhibition given by Gavin from the diving tower at Blackrock on the seafront in Salthill. Gavin is a superb swimmer and diver, and he thrilled the crowds in Salthill with his display of intricate dives.
We set out today in glorious sunshine, and our first stop was at the five star Ashford castle (pictured above)
There is a huge amount of renovation work being carried out on this fairytale castle, and i must say that it is a credit to the new owners for pumping so much money into restoring this magnificent place back to its former glory.
Here we have Carolyn and Gavin engaged in what looks like the final stages of a game of chess inside the castle. Has she just checkmated him? It looks like he has his arm extended to try to stop the move, but we all know that you cannot do that in chess.
Friends again after the game, and pictured here at the rear of the castle with the beautiful Lough Corrib in the background.
Another lovely picture showing the side of the castle facing the Lake. The views from the bedrooms from this side are just breath-taking.
The village of Cong is located adjacent to the Ashford estate, and this was the centre for the movie, "The Quiet Man". This wonderful old Irish movie, which starred John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara, has brought millions of people to Ireland, and to Cong, over the years, and as a tribute to the movie, and indeed the main stars, this bronze has been erected in the town centre, depicting John and Maureen.
This lovely picture was taken, with Lough Nafooey in the background, as we made our way into Joyce Country. We had quiet a laugh here. as the fields around us here were filled with sheep and lambs, and every time we made an attempt at imitating their bleating, they answered back in full chorus. It really was hilarious.
Another lovely picture as we made our way between the mountains.
You can tell that Carolyn was born and reared on a farm as she just loved all of the many animals we met along the way. Here she is pictured with the beautiful Connemara ponies, a breed common in Connemara.
By the time we reached Spiddal, a lovely town on the shores of Galway Bay, we were ready to eat, and here we are pictured with our inviting plates of battered Cod and chips (our kind of chips by the way), not those grease sodden bitty things that are known by the same name, in some quarters. Come to Ireland for the real thing.
We were tired by the time we made it back to Kinvara, a lovely small harbour town on the southern shores of Galway Bay, where my new friends are staying tonight.
Tomorrow our adventure in the west of Ireland continues as we make our way into the Burren of county Clare, and to the awesome Cliffs of Moher.
Come join us and share this magical journey.
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