Galway to Westport via Connemara NP
Trip Start
Oct 05, 2010
1
9
16
Trip End
Oct 21, 2010
Westport, Western Ireland, Ireland
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
October 13, 2010 Wednesday
On our way at 9:00 am to Westport Western Ireland via Connemara National Park in Lettefrack (County Galway), A bit foggy again this morning but not as much as on Tuesday morning.
Just as we got near the lakes region and the Park the sun came out. Scenery was beautiful and I am so glad the fog lifted.
Arrived at the Connemara NP Visitor’s Center about 11:00 am. They had a nice display in the center and also a 45 minute video about the Park. The Park encompasses 5,000 acres of wild bog and mountains. It was organized in 1989 to preserve peat bogs, the red deer and the Connemara ponies all of which are in danger. The use of large machines to dig the peat has really depleted the resource.
We took a “bog” hike surrounded by mountains and lakes. We also heard a loud sound that sounded like a cow. What we saw thru the binoculars was a female red deer being followed but what sure looked like an elk with huge antlers. That’s who was doing the “bugling”. We don’t know whether it was a male deer that looked nothing like the female deer or whether it really was an elk. Will have to do some research on that. The female deer was in control as the male kept the same distance behind her at all times!
We stopped for a light lunch on the trail before heading back to our vehicle.
After leaving Connemara we stopped at Kylemare Abbey which was built by a wealthy English businessman in the 1860's. This was a picture stop only. After leaving Kylemare Abbey we took a side road along Clew Bay through Doo Lough Valley. Very scenic road which appears to be one way but isn’t.
We arrived at our Westport B&B a little after 3:00 pm. The rooms are the largest we have had to date. The others were nice but “compact“. Our room on Mall Street overlooks a canal like river with ducks and other birds swimming about.
Ron and I took a little walk around town which included the rail station (of course). Lots of streets to explore with different shops, pubs and restaurants.
About 5:30 pm we headed out for supper. Our first choice, J. J. O’Malleys Pub was closed so we found a Pub called “The West” where we had supper. Back to beer night - Guinness for Terry and Smithwicks for the rest of us!
Headed back to the room to do some reading and relaxing. Tomorrow we head to Derry (or Londonderry for the Unionists) which will probably be mostly car travel with few stops.
Lodging Info:
Oct 13 Westport, Boulevard GH, on Mall, boulevard-guesthouse.com, 098/25138,
http://www.boulevard-guesthouse.com/
Comments
The female deer was in control as the male kept the same distance behind her at all times!
Hmmmm - just like the species Homo sapiens.... :)
The abbey picture is spectacular...is it used as an "abbey" or is a "private" residence?
Bev, Re: the Abby. It is now an exclusive girl's boarding school!!
Jack, RE: Deer -- Yes your assumption is correct!!!