Chauffeurdriven Vacation on Wild Atlantic Way

On Thursday i collected my latest party, after they arrived at Dublin airport, and we began our journey to Galway, where they were to stay on this first night. They were tired after their long journey, and this was to be a rest day.

Pictured together outside the Harbour Hotel, which is ideally located right in the center of the city.
From the left, Tom, Kathy, Bob and Joanne.

We did a tour of Galway city, starting out in Salthill by the sea. Tom wanted this picture on the Blog for his pal back in the States. This was taken at Galway Golf club, which Tom believes his pal will recognise, as he comes here quiet often.

 A visit to University College Galway was also a treat.

 We also spent time in the beautiful Galway Cathedral. Here we have Joanne and Bob with the lovely Rose stain glass window in the background. This Cathedral was opened by Cardinal Cushing back in 1965.

A picture of the raised altar, surrounded by this beautiful white marble.

 Another lovely picture of Tom and Kathy.

 There is also a special side chapel dedicated to Our Lady, the Mother of Perpetual Help.

My party spent their second night in Ballinahinch castle, in the heart of Connemara. We journeyed through Connemara, one of the few remaining Irish speaking areas left in Ireland. The sign in this picture above indicates that this is such an area.

 A journey through the heart of Connemara includes a visit to the Maam valley. Here we have Tom posing in the village of Maam.

 This signpost, indicating many of the local areas we passed through.

 The fjord at Leenane is the most westerly fjord in Europe, and you can take a cruise here, which brings you the length of this fjord, and out to the Atlantic ocean at its mouth.

I had to get in on the act at some stage, so i posed with my friends for this picture at the fjord in Leenane. There must have been something wrong with the camera here, as i am far taller than the rest of this group.
From the left we have Bob, Joanne, Kathy, and Tom. Oooohh, the young guy in the middle is me.

 You never can be sure what you are going to meet on Irish roads. At least these sheep knew which was the right side of the road to stay on, not like the tourists.

 Connemara is renowned for its peat bogs, and here we have a great example of freshly cut peat in a bog near Kylemore.

 The famous Abbey at Kylemore, a special place to visit, and still run by the Benedictine nuns They had a girls school here for many years, but unfortunately they had to close the school in recent years, due to a lack of new vocations. Here we have Bob and Joanne, with the Kylemore lake, and the Abbey, in the background.

 All smiling together in Kylemore.

Tonight, Saturday night, we are in Kinvara, a beautiful little town on the southern shores of Galway Bay. This picture was taken in front of the ancient Dun Guaire Castle, just on the outskirts of the town, where they attended a Medieval Banquet this evening. They really enjoyed the festivities here,which included a banquet meal, and fine Irish entertainment, with wonderful singing, historic stories, and poetry. Something to include in your visit to Kinvara, if you do come here.
Already we have made a great start to this tour and all is well. 
My pals send their love to everybody at home and invite them to travel along with us.
Tomorrow we are off to the Cliffs of Moher.