Ireland!

We're back from Ireland! We had a great rainy time driving around the country. We didn't make it to the Aran Islands as planned due to hurricane Ophelia. Instead of risking getting stranded on the island (not that we had much choice seeing as the ferry wasn't running), we explored the Burren region and County Clare. Staying flexible is important while travelling during Ireland's (previously unknown) hurricane season.

I'm quite tired after the vacation. We tried to not cram too much in each day but, as evidenced by my slightly lower lung function numbers on Friday, travelling and jetleg in itself can be tiring. I'm trying not to do too much so that I can recover quickly.

A few pictures that were on my phone.

Starting off the trip with a visit to an old abbey. 

Had to walk through a cow pasture to get to this one.

We found some cliffs. Apparently St. Patrick split this piece of land from the mainland when the people living on it refused to convert to Christianity, leaving them all there to starve.

Mom and I went hiking near the Ballycroy National Park while Amy stayed at the AirBnb drinking tea.

Sheep grazing in Keem Head, on the Archill peninsula with impressive cliffs in the background. 

We missed the majority of the heather in bloom but there were still a few flowers left to see

Quick visit to rainy Galway where we dried out in the church to see Mary knitting.

With our trip to the Aran Islands cancelled, we spent a few days in County Clare. It has pretty dramatic cliffs beyond the Cliffs of Moher.

Loop Head pennisula also had a dramatic old castle.

Spent the hurricane day holed up in Kilrush. The morning was surprisingly clear but very windy.

We found an open bakery! We bought some delicious bread that had seaweed bits in it.

More cliffs on the Loop Head peninsula.

Stopped at the Rock of Cashel (not pictured) before a quick half day in Dublin to see their impressive library.