Day 8 was a very busy day that started early in the morning and didn't end until midnight, so you are getting two days for the price of one.
Day 8 Excursion to the Aran Islands
The day started early as we headed to the ferry to visit the Aran Islands. These islands are known for their wool, although they say that very little wool is produced there nowadays. We visited one of the three islands, Inis Mor.
The main industry is tourism. On arrival we were escorted to a local pub for sandwiches and tea. While there, we were entertained with the history of the island and some Irish music. The population of the Islands is currently around 800.
Following the entertainment, we went on a tour around the island. It was a quiet, but beautiful place, with mountains and fields surrounding small communities of about 130 people in each. There were a number of sheep grazing freely in the pastures. The familiar stone fences were also present in great abundance. It's clear that this island was mostly rock.
We stopped at a cemetery and church which has been around since between the 10th and 14th century. There were a mixture of those very old gravestones and newer ones, as it is still functioning.
Following the visit to the cemetery, we took in the highlight of the tour - a visit to Dun Aengus - or the black fort. The walk to the fort is long and arduous, and not very stable. It was too much for me, but Bob managed to get there... and back. From the photos, it looked like an amazing view. The cliffs were high and sheer - and you could get right to the edge!
After arriving back at the hotel, we had about a half hour break at the hotel, we headed out for dinner out in a castle about 40 minutes away. It was an intimate affair with just our group and one other. The host and hostess were great and a lot of fun, as was the harpist. We were blessed to honoured as King and Queen for the evening. Bob made a wonderful king... charging taxes, and sentencing folk to lashes. It was a great and fun evening.
We arrived home just before midnight and collapsed in our rooms.
Hotel: The Ardilaun Hotel
Weather: Mainly sunny with a little cloud... Rain only when we were on the bus. High 18c
Day 9 - Galway to Kylemore Abbey- Sligo
Today was mainly a travelling day as we travelled up the western coast, just a little bit inland. The scenery started to change as we moved away from the rocky hills to more flat green land. The stone fences gave way to barbed wire and wooden ones.
Our stop for the day was at Kylemore Abbey, which has housed the Benedictine nuns since 1921.
The highlight of this visit was to the Walled Garden. It was a massive walled garden with a formal area, as well as garden beds heated with hot water pipes, an area with just ferns, and a walk through a wooded area.
The abbey was beautiful, and restored to what it looked like in the 1800s.
Following our visit to the abbey, we continued on our way through rugged countryside to our resting place for this evening, Sligo, after a brief stop at Westport. Bob managed to sleep through some pretty interesting scenery.
Hotel: Radisson Blu Sligo
Weather: Cooler, but sunny - patches of rain, but only when we were on the bus high 16c
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