Every single trip that the hubs and I take to Ireland includes at least one drive out to Connemara in the West of country, and I never tire of its beauty, serenity, fresh food, and clean air. Connemara’s landscape is diverse from rolling hills to ominous mountains made of stone, from calm, glass-like bays and lakes to raging waves and rugged coastline. My husband spent his childhood weekends and summers here, and as a result he and his family know every lovely bit of it which makes going off the beaten path and disappearing from the world for the day a very easy task.
Dog’s Bay
Roundstone Bay
Ballyconneely- The little black spot about 1/3 from the left is a seal’s head! We watched him swimming around for quite awhile, and he was SO cute.
We almost always stop at the same lunch spot, O’Dowd’s in Roundstone. We actually went here RIGHT before we got engaged at nearby Mannin Beach. The food is always fresh and delicious and well, the view:
We shared a few different plates.
Seafood chowder made with prawns, salmon, crab, mussels, and haddock
Freshly baked brown scones with creamy Irish butter
Pan fried haddock with lemon
Local smoked salmon with salad
O’Dowd’s is warmed by a small but roaring turf fire and is a very cozy place to rest while on a journey around Connemara.
Roundstone was made famous by the film, The Matchmaker. You may recognize the pier from some of the scenes in that adorable film!
On the car ride back to Galway, I struggled to keep my eyes open with all of that fresh air and good food. I did manage to stay awake to snag another photo of a rainbow.
Can you see why I love Ireland? 🙂
Pssssst Did you enter to win my raffle yet? The prizes, a $100 gift card to Williams Sonoma or a (me) & goji custom mix, the beneficiary of the ticket prices? The ALLY Foundation. Each ticket is $10, and they can be “purchased” by making a donation here:
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Reminds me of when you guys took me to Roundstone and O’Dowd’s during our lovely day trip to Connemara…that was a very fun day :).
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Ireland… I’m getting so excited for my trip next month! I am going to be in Galway for two nights. Staying at a B&B before heading back to Dublin where our accomodations are significantly more luxuriously (third night free at the Four Seasons!) I think we’re going to try to visit the Cliffs of Moher. We’re also spending time in Belfast/Antrim. Can’t wait! Keep posting trip highlights to get me psyched up!
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I think this is one of your most beautiful posts yet! You always seem to see a rainbow in Ireland, don’t you!?
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Trackback from uberVU - social comments on February 9, 2010 at 12:48 am
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I have never been to Ireland, but it is definitely at the top of my list! Your photos capture the West of Ireland so beautifully, like we are there!
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