DRUMCLIFFE - GALWAY IRELAND

Expat tours

If you do a 7 day tour around a country of course you can't see everything in details. It just gives you an overview of things to see or to do if you want to come back later.

When we stopped at Drumcliffe, which is set against the striking backdrop of the Benbulben Mountains, I didn't really understand why we stopped here ! The reason was because here was the final resting place of  W.B.Yeates (1865–1939), who is buried in the graveyard of St. Columba's Church of Ireland church. Although Yeats died in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France in January 1939, his remains were brought home to Ireland by the Irish Naval Service and re-interred at Drumcliff in 1948 in the presence of a large number of local people and dignitaries which included the Minister for External Affairs, Seán MacBride, who represented the Government.



His grave is marked with a simple headstone with the inscription, "cast a cold eye on life, on death, horseman, pass by." This was Yeats' self penned epitaph together with the instructions that the grave consist of "no marble, no conventional phrase". The graveyard also contains a high cross and nearby is the site of a 6th Century Columbian monastery. I had never heard about this poet but to my excuse I am not a poetry fan. We walked through the graves, I admired the stones  and found strange names, even the name of my girlfriend in France.(but she is still alive)



St Columba's Church on the graveyard.



We then made a break in the Coffee and craftshop on site offering homebaking and quality crafts.




Instead of going to church I preferred to visit the Art Gallery. There were very nice pieces exposed, mostly rapids.

And then this short visit was over and we continued our way.


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GALWAY

When we arrived in Galway, we were lucky, the sun was shining and the city had such cheerful vibes !

Even from the bus I saw brightly painted pubs heave with live music, and restaurants and cafes with front-row seats for observing buskers and street theatre. Remnants of the medieval town walls lie between shops selling handcrafted Claddagh rings, books and musical instruments, bridges arch over the salmon-stuffed River Corrib, and a long promenade leads to the seaside suburb of Salthill, on Galway Bay, the source of the area's famous oysters.

Despite its rich history, the city buzzes with a contemporary vibe, thanks in part to students, who make up a quarter of the population. Its energy and creativity have seen it designated the European Capital of Culture in 2020.



The streets are full




of young and old







preparing for a street concert




lots of shops



and "beauty" offers



If you need a job .....






The Lynchs Castle I had no time to go inside, but it's certainly worthwhile to see.



and sitting on the terrace of this pub



I had a great view of all the people enjoying the sunshine !

What a lovely town !

WATERVILLE IRELAND

August 22, 2017


Expat tours

If you do a 7 day tour around a country of course you can't see everything in details. It just gives you an overview of things to see or to do if you want to come back later.


We also shortly stopped at Waterville  a small coastal village located between the Atlantic Ocean and Lough Currane on the scenic and famous Ring of Kerry and the Wild Atlantic Way.

Famous for its game angling and its 18 hole championship golf links, Waterville is also a paradise for the hill-walker, cyclist, pony trekker, ornithologist, astronomer, archaeologist, sea and shore angler, water sport enthusiast and indeed for the general holidaymakers unfortunately not for those who love the heat and lot of sunshine.

Anyone who visits the village of Waterville should walk the pathway (known locally as the promenade) which stretches right along the seafront. If you want to extend your walk a little and see one of the finer beaches in the area then continue to walk along the cliff road (to the north of the village) and walk for approximately a mile to reach the beach. Here also you will find the famous Waterville Golf Links.




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In the late 1950’s, Charlie Chaplin brought his family to Waterville for holidays. Here, they could enjoy the great outdoors in relative anonymity and privacy. This was incredible to him, considering that he was already a world-famous actor, filmmaker and composer. He was to bring his family back here for over a decade, making many great friends in the area.

The Chaplin family still has connections to Waterville today, and with their blessing the annual Charlie Chaplin Comedy Film Festival is now held each year in August. The festival honours the pioneering spirit of this great film-maker and advocate for social change.



Where we stopped the beach was full of pebbles and instead of building sandcastles, people had built little "Stonehenge" or whatever.



One pebble over the other gave funny little statues.



I was inspired too and did this one !

BLARNEY CASTLE - IRELAND

August 14, 2017


Expat tours

If you do a 7 day tour around a country of course you can't see everything in details. It just gives you an overview of things to see or to do if you want to come back later.

On our list also was Blarney Castle, (whole history) which is most famous for its stone. The legend tells has the power of conferring eloquence on all who kiss it.The word ‘Blarney’ was introduced into the English language by Queen Elizabeth I and is described as ‘pleasant talk, intended to deceive without offending’. The stone is set in the wall below the battlements and, to kiss it, one has to lean backwards - grasping an iron railing - from the parapet walk.

Only 3 men of our group kissed the stone, although they head no talking problems. The women found it too complicated to reach the stone and others were afraid of germs. As people pretend that I talk already like a waterfall it wasn't really necessary for me to kiss the stone.

In the grounds of the castle the Rock Close and its surroundings is a fascinating place of ancient trees and far more ancient stones which is believed to be a garden of druidic origin and a centre of worship in pre-Christian days. The place has an aura of magic and mystique with Wishing Steps, Witch's Kitchen, Druid's Cave and many other delights telling a story of centuries past.





The entrance



Brochures and souvenir shop








The castle from far, the hole was nice for a souvenir picture



Even a back pipe player was there, coming from Scotland ? And renovations going on.



I walked through the ruins



up and down


the tower



The view over the park was beautiful and so luscious green



I could see grazing cows from far



and a little ditch found its way through the park.




And then came something I had never seen in my life ! To protect the trees from frost and cold weather they were wearing crocheted "clothes" !





It looked so funny and colorful







Some of them were really very beautiful ! Maybe it gives you an idea how to protect your trees and you have something to do during rainy days !








And old house had become the "Gift" shop were the two coaches stood.



It was a wonderful walk through the park !