Connemara on Chauffeurdriven tour with Dave Hogan and Dovechauffeurdrive

Connemara is that region in the West of Ireland, which we call "God's Country". It is a land of lakes, and mountains, and boglands, and magnificent Atlantic sea views. When Cromwell came to Ireland, he drove all of the Irish off the good lands into the poor lands on the western seaboard, and Connemara was one such region. Large numbers of people lived here under deprived conditions, and this was one of the worst affected areas during the terrible famine. It was from such regions that huge numbers of our people emigrated at that time, and in the years after the famine.
This area was made famous in the movie "The Quiet Man", and in the picture above, you can see my group of friends standing on the famous" Quiet Man" bridge in Connemara yesterday.

Another picture of the group and their bus at the bridge.

Sheep farming is the main occupation of the farmers in the Connemara region, but those closer to the coast would all depend on fishing also.

A view of the mountains and lakes on a misty day.

A lovely picture of one of the hundreds of Connemara ponies that you will see as you pass through Connemara. These ponies were originally said to be of North African origin, and swam ashore from the sinking Spanish Armada ships which were wrecked on the rocky western coast during that great tragedy. They were used by the Spanish cavalry. They ran wild initially, and thrived in our Irish climate.

Road signs in Connemara to Cashel and Clifden, with our Connemara pony, on the hill in the background.

After returning from Connemara yesterday, the group made their way to the town of Kinvara, where they will be staying for two nights before heading for the south on Monday. In this picture, they are pictured, with the Kinvara harbour in the background.

Last night everybody enjoyed a lovely meal in the Pier Head restaurant on the harbour front in Kinvara.They do look happy don't they?