Wait for it...it might actually be going to rain! So far we haven’t really put those rain pants we packed to good use. No complaints, though! We head out the door of our hotel and find ourselves within steps of many pubs and dinner possibilities.
This looks hopeful.
Ahhh, this word means, come inside for some good drink and conversation...I think.
The next day we decide to head out to the Doolin Pier and take a ferry to one of the Aran Islands.
We are early (for a change) and enjoy yet another sunny morning in Ireland while we wait for our foot ferry, the Star of Doolin.
Note the sign for the pier...has a “Wild Atlantic Way” insignia! Good reason! This definitely qualifies.
35 minutes later we dock at the small island of Inisheer, population 235. We are among about 100 passengers who flood off the boat and are soaked up by this tiny bit of land. Soon we find a way to see the island...horse and cart, with driver Tom.
Tom has lived on Inisheer all his life and is the perfect guide to tell us about his home. Being islanders ourselves, we are fascinated about the details of living in this out of the way spot.
For the next hour our sturdy horse pulls our cart up and down the one lane roads. All fences are built of stone, and clearly define property boundaries. We listen to what Tom tells us about life here, but we can never take our eyes off the VIEW....composed of green fields and blue sea...oh, and sky, today!
Tom recounts the story of the 1960 ship wreck off Finn Rock where all lives were saved by the people of the little island, and therefore all cargo was eventually taken home by islanders. Seems there was lots of whiskey to fill the local pantries!
There are a few scattered cottages and then....we come to the graveyard and the “sunken church” of St. Cavan. (Who was the brother of St. Kevin). THis church was built in the 11th century, before shifting sand dunes surrounded it. Local folklore hints that if you spend a night sleeping on the tomb of St. Cavan, here in the remains of the church, your particular illness will be cured. Anyone?
There are only two places to stay the night, one a B&B with 5 rooms, and one a hostel. We are more interested in one of the three restaurants serving lunch. We leave Tom and his steady steed to their lunch, and take a short walk about to find just the right, and almost the only, place for a wrap and coleslaw.
The ferry ride back is jam packed, and we wind up inside on the lower deck, so, no, we don’t really enjoy the pass by of the Cliffs of Moher from the sea. Nor can we see the Cliffs from the sea! I can’t imagine this during the real tourist season of June - August, and I’m glad we are here now.
Once back in Doolin we fetch our car, and almost immediately respond to a sign advertising the best coffee in Ireland by pulling into the parking lot of a store selling all things Irish made. Our Irish made purchases....afternoon coffee AND, would you like cream and jam with your scone? YES.
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