Máméan to Mannin

Horses near Renvyle

Happy almost weekend! I am totally dragging today, but working from home tomorrow which is fun and helps to break things up a bit! Had a great dinner at dbar here in Dorchester this evening, which I will post about someday soon. I am excited to share more of our Ireland with you so without further adieu. . .

Back as promised with a post on Connemara, the mountainous, seacoast West coast of Galway, Ireland. If I had to pick one place in the world as my favorite, it would be here. While I could probably write forever about Connemara, I have decided to pick a few places that write about, and if you are interested more please feel free to email me.

Cleggan

We typically stay in my in laws house in Galway and take one of two roads out to Connemara, either the road through Oughterard, a charming little fishing town that is the gateway to Connemara, or out the Cois Fharraig, the coast road which I usually prefer because of its breathtaking sea views, and a glimpse at the Aran Islands if it is clear (And don’t be mislead by the bad reputation – Ireland can have really horrific weather, but I have been there more than once for a week of straight sun! The November we got engaged we had 10 straight days of sunshine and 60 degree temps!).

For a good workout and some great air, head to Máméan, a sheep-dotted mountain that houses the Shrine of St. Patrick and provides a medium level hike, along rock formation stations of the cross. At the top you will see a statue of St. Patrick and wonder how it got there (helicopter) and the curved rock that is rumored to have been St. Patrick’s bed. The top of the mountain doesn’t take long to reach from the parking area- maybe 40 minutes, but you can see for miles and miles from here, and all that you can hear is wind and intermittent baaaah’s. The hike down is easier and quicker, of course, but stop and look around. There is nothing like this in the world.

Ireland can look down right tropical!

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