Hello again my lovelies, I hope you're all having a great week so far? Thank you to those who stuck with me through my photo dumps yesterday. I am still six months behind, but hoping to catch up this month. Week Twenty Eight was a busy one, as my posts yesterday will tell you, and after my epic road trip with friends, I had moving house to look forward to! I said goodbye to my friends on Wednesday morning, leaving them to continue their road trip south, and caught the bus from Galway up to Derry City. I was very tired after a hectic few days, but it was a very scenic bus ride back, and I sat by the window and enjoyed the views. Once in Derry, I met up briefly with my Mum, who was over for a few days, and two of my aunts, before catching a bus to Buncrana. I had some time at Buncrana before my connecting bus, so waited in a pub across the street from the bus stop, before heading back to Clonmany.
Inquisitive horses by the bus stop, somewhere in Knock.
Pint of Guinness at the Cruiskeen Lawn Bar, Buncrana.
I had had a fabulous time with my friends, but it is always nice to get home. I had more packing to do, and wanted to enjoy my last days in that beautiful place before I moved out. So, in between packing and cleaning, I went on a few walks nearby, and also spent some time on the patio listening to the stream and waterfall, and enjoying the views. I knew I was going to miss that place. I was so lucky to find the perfect spot to stay in while I got settled in Ireland.
The Annex with the doors/windows wide open to the air.
The stream and waterfalls behind the house.
Clonmany River and Raghtin Mor, the bottom of the garden!
One of my friends from the area had kindly offered to help me move, and on the Saturday we took most of my things over to the new house in Ballyliffin. That night I went out for drinks in Clonmany with her and another friend. I had lots to celebrate! Then on the Sunday I finished cleaning the Annex, said goodbye to those beautiful views, and my friend picked me up to take me to the new house so I could officially move in. My furniture and all my other things had been in storage in England since it arrived from America last year, and the Annex was usually a holiday rental, so it had everything I needed. This meant I didn't have much with me. The new house came partially furnished, but there were no kitchen utensils or anything like that. I knew I'd have a couple of weeks where I didn't have much stuff, but there was no point buying duplicates in the meantime. I was just happy to be there, and was looking forward to "camping" until my things arrived.
View of Pollan Bay from the dining room of my new house!
Sunset behind Binnion. This is the view from the back of my new house!
Crockaughrim in the evening light.
Wildflowers and Crockaughrim.
Pollan Bay. "My" Beach.
The Annex in Clonmany was the perfect place for me to live during my first Winter in Ireland. It was close to the shops (and the pubs!) and had everything I needed. I didn't expect that I would change my mind after moving there, but it helped to have an interim place to live to make sure. My dream had always been to live in Ballyliffin. That is where my family comes from, and I spent every summer there growing up. Most of my happiest memories are from my times there, and it was absolutely a dream come true to finally make it happen! I had put this off for so long, putting my dreams on hold to help other people chase theirs. In the end, I realised I had wasted almost half my life helping other people, who definitely didn't have my best interests at heart. When I left America, I promised myself I would never do that again. This stage in my life is all about ME. Moving to Ireland was just the beginning. Moving to Ballyliffin meant achieving a life long goal. And I know that living here, surrounded by so much beauty and inspiration, will help me to achieve my other dreams. Watch this space for more exciting adventures to come!
Well my lovelies, I hope you're sitting comfortably, because this is going to be a long post! This was Day Four of my incredible road trip with friends, exploring some of the Wild Atlantic Way back in May this year. We left Westport that morning and drove to Carromore Beach to stretch our legs a bit. I didn't manage to get any good photos, but it was a nice beach, and clearly popular with surfers. If you're in the area and want to visit, you can find out more info HERE.
Doolough Valley, County Mayo.
From Carrowmore we drove to Doolough Valley, which was stunningly beautiful, but also has an incredibly sad history. For more information, go HERE.
Doolough Valley, County Mayo.
Memorial Stone at Doolough Valley, County Mayo.
Doolough Valley, County Mayo.
Because I hadn't taken a selfie in a while, Doolough Valley, County Mayo.
After driving through Doolough Valley, we went to see the Aasleagh Waterfall on the Erriff River. That was a very beautiful spot, and we spent some time exploring, and simultaneously getting muddy. For more info on the area, which is clearly interesting, because Sir David Attenborough spent some time there a few years ago, (!) go HERE.
By the Aasleagh Waterfall, County Mayo.
Aasleagh Waterfall, Erriff River, County Mayo.
Aasleagh Waterfall, County Mayo.
Aasleagh Waterfall, County Mayo.
By the Aasleagh Waterfall, County Mayo.
Aasleagh Waterfall, County Mayo.
From there we crossed the border from County Mayo into County Galway, and went to Leenaun, where we stopped at the Purple Door Cafe for lunch. Leenaun is on the shore of Killary Fjord, and the entire area was breathtakingly beautiful. You can find out more about the Purple Door Cafe HERE, and about Killary Fjord HERE.
Killary Fjord, County Galway.
Killary Fjord, County Galway.
After lunch we drove to the Killary Sheep Farm, which was also on the shores of Killary Fjord. There we got to witness a sheepdog demonstration, which was very interesting. The landscape is very rugged and steep, so the animals definitely have to work hard, but the views were absolutely incredible!
Killary Sheep Farm, Killary Fjord, County Galway.
Killary Sheep Farm, Killary Fjord, County Galway.
Killary Sheep Farm, Killary Fjord, County Galway.
After the sheepdog demonstration, we got to spend some time feeding the lambs and hanging out in the pens with them all. That was a very fun experience! I would highly recommend checking this farm out if you're in the area. You can find out more about them HERE.
Making friends at Killary Sheep Farm.
Kylemore Abbey, Connemara, County Galway.
After a great afternoon at the sheep farm, we tore ourselves away from the cuteness and continued our drive down to Galway City. On the way we stopped to take a look at the majestic Kylemore Abbey, but it was too late for tours so we didn't go in. That will have to be something we save for another trip! Some of us had been craving oysters, and having heard of the famous Moran's Oyster Cottage in Kilcolgan, we took a detour further south to go there for dinner. It was well worth the extra journey, and was a fantastic place to eat on my last night with my friends. I hadn't had oysters since I was in America, so I was very happy. You can find out more HERE. After dinner we drove back into Galway City, checked into our accommodation, and then literally ran to the nearest pub to make sure we got there in time for last call. We had a round of Baby Guinness shots, and a round of proper Guinness each to round off the day. My friends, none of whom had drunk Guinness regularly before, all loved the taste in Ireland! It really does taste better here.
Day Three of my epic road trip with my friends was a long, but fun filled day. We left Dunfanaghy in the morning and drove to Slieve League, stopping at the scenic Malaidh Ghleann Gheis (Glengesh Pass) along the way. It was a cloudy and wet day, but the views were still beautiful. I can only imagine how much more spectacular they would be on a clear day! You can learn more about this area HERE.
Malaidh Ghleann Gheis (Glengesh Pass).
WWII Look Out Post, Slieve League Cliffs.
We parked at Slieve League and went for a walk along the Cliffs, which are actually almost three times the height of the more well known Cliffs of Moher in County Clare. You can learn more about Slieve League and the surrounding area HERE. The views were absolutely stunning, despite the clouds, and we all had a good time exploring the area. My arthritic knees were giving me some trouble however, so while my friends went exploring further up, I stopped for a Guinness 0.0 from a non-alcoholic bar at a rest area. It was my first time having the NA version of Guinness, and I was very impressed! The taste is almost completely indistinguishable from the original. The rain caught up with us while we were up there, so we were pretty wet and cold by the time we got back to the car, but all still happy.
Clouds over the Slieve League Cliffs.
Clouds over the Slieve League Cliffs.
Clouds over the Slieve League Cliffs.
My first Guinness 0.0, with an incredible backdrop.
My first Guinness 0.0, Slieve League Cliffs.
From Slieve League we drove to Strandhill in County Sligo and stopped at the Shells Cafe for a meal, and did some shopping at the fantastic little gift shop there. Gareth and I had stopped at this cafe back in March on our trip to County Mayo, so I had recommended it, and it was good to go back and try new things from the menu, and find a few more items from the shop. You can check out the cafe menu, and shop for gifts online HERE.
Fish and Chips at Shells Cafe, Strandhill, Sligo.
Testing the Guinness for "schtick", Matt Molloy's, Westport, County Mayo.
Traditional music every night at Matt Molloy's, Westport, County Mayo.
From Sligo we drove down to Westport in County Mayo and checked into our accommodation. We were determined to find some traditional Irish music that night, and were not disappointed by the choice in the area. We had to narrow it down however, and decided to walk to a bar called Matt Molloy's, partially due to the reviews we'd read, and partially because one of our group is named Matt, haha. We chose well! Matt Molloy's plays live traditional music EVERY night of the week, and despite the fact it was a Monday night, the place was packed. The music was everything we hoped it would be, and we stayed until the end of the night when everyone was kicked out. You can learn more about Matt Molloy's HERE, and I highly recommend a visit if you're in the area.
Hello my lovelies, here are some photos from Day Two of my epic road trip with friends who visited from America! Of course, while they were in the area, I HAD to take them to Nancy's Barn for breakfast, and then I took them to "my" beach, and to see my new house. My friend Matt has a drone and took some incredible aerial views of the area, which I will share when I have access to them! They all said that they can see why I love the area so much. It's nice to know that other people see it too!
A light breakfast at Nancy's Barn, Ballyliffin.
My friend enjoying the sea air, Ballyliffin.
From Ballyliffin we drove to the stunning Fanad Head Lighthouse in Fanad. I have seen this lighthouse from a distance, from the other side of Lough Swilly, but I had never been to this part of Donegal before, so it was a real treat to see it up close. You can find out more about the Fanad Head Lighthouse, including how to book accommodation there, HERE. We had a full tour of the lighthouse itself, which was very interesting, and we also explored the surrounding cliffs and the WWII look out post nearby. It wasn't the brightest day, but the sea was very calm, and the colours of the water in the nearby coves were just stunning. I know I've said it before, but I never get tired of the way the light changes so much here, and how the views can transform from one second to the next.
Fanad Head Lighthouse.
WWII Look Out Post, Fanad Head.
Spiral Staircase inside Fanad Head Lighthouse.
Fanad Head Lighthouse.
Fanad Head Lighthouse, seen from the WWII Look Out Post.
Fanad Head Lighthouse.
From Fanad, we drove to Dunfanaghy and checked into our accommodation, which was lovely, and very convenient to town. The Landlady even gave us a lift in to save time! We went to The Rusty Oven and enjoyed some delicious pizza and a bottle of wine, while sitting outside under a parasol as the rain fell down. You can learn more about the Rusty Oven HERE. The restaurant provides heavy blankets if you're cold outside, and we made use of them and shared a very convivial meal together despite the weather. In fact, I think I enjoyed it even more because of the rain!
Photogenic cow, taken from the car.
Fabulous pizza from The Rusty Oven, Dunfanaghy.
After our meal we went next door to Patsy Dan's Bar and enjoyed a few drinks while we dried off. My friends were very taken with the friendliness of people in Ireland, and we had a fabulous evening and great craic with some new friends we made.
