We’re now settled in a cottage near Oughterard for the week – makes a change from the B&B’s that we’ve used so far.
We had a walk around Newvillage Wood, not the most exciting walk, but quiet and away from people.
The path climbed to an open area by Lough Seecon:
With a geocache nearby:
Then back down the hill to the pub for lunch.
This is a large area of limestone that borders the County Clare coast. Very similar to the Yorkshire Dales (apart from the sea being nearby)
Our intention was to visit Craggaunowen today, but despite being advertised as open from April to September, it closed for the season on the 12th…
Instead, we wandered our way slowly across County Clare to the Cliffs of Moher, an impressive set of sea cliffs with an not so impressive visitor center.
Very popular with coach parties though!
We drove up to the Silvermine mountains from Nenaugh, with good views of Lough Derg and the plains.
We then followed a waymarked trail through the forest.
And up the hill…
More good views from the top, and not too breezy considering.
A town with an unfortunate name (well, the way I pronounce it), and not that much else going for a tourist either.
But it did have an interesting castle tower.
With good views of the town and beyond.
It’s definitely rainbow weather…
The village pub – excellent food and Guinness.
Later on, we visited Killaloe, where Lough Derg narrows to a river and disused canal.
And a superb rainbow over Ballina, which is the town at the other side of the water.
We then walked up another hill overlooking Lough Derg.
This was built in 1932, but fell down 8 years later…
This new cross was built in 2006.
Good views of Lough Derg from the top.
The sun has returned today, so it’s outdoors and find a walk day!
We parked overlooking Lough Derg:
And headed up the hill..
Unfortunately, as we climbed, the early morning mist became thicker:
Limiting the views somewhat…
But there was a geocache to find, so the climb wasn’t wasted.
And things cleared as we headed down the other side.
Lower down, there were some impressive spider webs, highlighted by the dew.
Here is another statue, this time in Limerick, which caught my eye. It depicts three wild geese in flight – Wild Geese being the name given to men who have left Ireland to fight for foreign armies in Europe or America. In the background is the bridge over the Shannon.
