The Cliffs of Moher

Leaving Westport today we knew we had the shortest drive yet to Galway.  Each day it's been about a 2 1/2 hour to 3 hour drive.  Today to Galway was just an hour.  BUT, we turned it into 2 hours and 45 minutes one way and 1 1/2 to Galway after. That's because we wanted to go see the fantastic Cliffs of Moher. 

But first let's finish last night.  So when we grabbed a taxi in to the town of Westport about 6:00pm there was a group of young men, maybe mid to late 20's enjoying too many beers and cigarettes just a little to the left of our window.  Gordon and I got back about 10:30 and they were still there.  Only the group had grown!  I asked at the front desk what the plan was for this group as we had been traveling all day and were exhausted.  She assured us they would be leaving in about 5 minutes.
WRONG!  The party went on for a while but eventually we heard them get in a taxi....and return about 3:45 a.m.  UGH.  Anyway, needless to say, our evening of sleep wasn't what it should be.  And when we got in the elevator for breakfast guess who was waiting?  How were they up and having breakfast before us?  They'd only gotten  maybe 4 hours of sleep!  Ah, youth!

We headed out just before 11 for our drive to the Cliffs passing,

Thatched cottages

And a castle from 1540

 This castle, as many castle in Ireland, Scotland and England is situated on an inlet from the sea.  These inlets are tidal inlets and so when the tide is out, it's basically an ugly mudflat.  When the tide is in they are quite beautiful

The tide is in and there were many seabirds near this castle.

Swanss

This room is used for Medieval feasts and poetry readings just as the king of this castle used to do back in the 1500's

The castle was bought by an Irish lady who began to restore it and actually lived in it until 1954.  This room she decorated in contemporary style.

This room is more true to the time of the 1700's

We also passed this cool bar/hotel with a thatched roof in a lovely little village

Beyond that big mountain are the Cliffs of Moher

But along the way we pass through another small village this one was having a "matchmaker" weekend. 

Every weekend in September single men and women come to this tiny village to "meet-up", dance and mingle.  The place was PACKED!

 Now we have arrived at the Cliffs and aside from a memorial to all who have lost their lives over the cliffs, we find this ominous sign above!  We'll try NOT to do this!

And here they are rising 1,000 feet above sea level

If you look carefully you can see tiny people standing on the top of that first Cliff.

Remember this boat.  It's very large and carries many people over from the Island of Arran to view the cliffs. 

So brave!

Far off in the distance is the Isle of Arran

There's that boat again looking very small by these giant cliffs

Again, we are in shorts and capri pants and sandals all day except for the walk up to the Cliffs.  Another 72 degree day!

So close to the edge!

We spent a couple hours hanging out on the cliffs and enjoying the view of the Atlantic from this continent....well Island.  Then back down the hill and into Galway to a lovely hotel for our evening.  When we arrive at The Ardilaun we walked smack dab in to a wedding reception with the bride and groom looking happy and beautiful right in front of us. Us in our shorts and flip-flops!  Oops

A bath and a good bar dinner of risotto and salad and we are tucked away safely in our beds.  Tomorrow we head to our last stop in Ireland, Collon Village just north of Dublin.  We'll be touring the east coast for the next two days.


Really loving this country.  The people are so friendly and warm and the scenery is awesome.