It is said “one does not come to Ireland for the weather”, and the past week this has surely proved to be true. In Ireland the rain is usually a gentle rain, most times an umbrella is excessive and the rain comes and goes. Not so much so far – we have been getting torrential downpours, and even the locals a befuddled at this.
It’s our last moment in Clifden and our host has been a fountain of information. His current residence was 5 years ago an abandoned stone structure with a fallen-un roof and stream, waterfall and salmon run in the BACKYARD. It was absolutely peaceful. So, on to some very valuable info, the sheep around here have splotches of paint/ink color on them, the reason, each color, or placement of said paint shows which farm they belong too and/or in who’s pasture they’ve been feeding. This is a thing, as according to many here sheep are the ultimate escape artists. I/we have seen sheep with several splotches of paint, sometime a few each of more than two colors; presumably this is sheep wandering from pasture to pasture to find the foods they prefer. Brilliant animals…..
As the driver worked overtime yesterday, today was to be a lazy day, driving to our new destination, all while pouring rain all day. Found some fun roads, as usual, it boggles the mind, we will be driving in the middle of nowhere and then a sign, Connemara rug store, its many kilometers from normal businesses, this is the norm.
Arrived in Ennis, charming little town, passed through here in 1999 when my mum and I did Ireland. Thriving (and bustling, it’s truly alive) downtown, lots of pubs, stores, and a lovely cathedral, another St’s Peter and Paul, gonna try to hit mass tomorrow. I’ve said it before but Mass in Ireland is a treat, seemingly more…genuine and reminiscent of the 1960’s. Also somewhat well attended by both old and young.
Had lunch waiting for check-in time and of course a pint (or 2, best pints thus far), checked into our hotel and OMG what a dump. Mucho no bueno, so back to the pub across the street to use their wifi to search out a new place to stay (yes, again) and one of the waitresses recognized us from lunch and in conversations we told her the situation. She took all this very personally and proceeds to say find your hotel and I’ll see if i can get you a reduced rate. THE IRISH ARE SO KIND, turns out we didn’t need her help as when we checked into this fancy hotel at a good rate and then got an upgrade to a suite! The luck (sigh, skill and talent 😉 ) of Brian continues. The hotel is a grand hotel, great and vibrant pub for all the locals as well as travelers. I believe I shall enjoy our 2 days here.
So far, i have held back the retail therapy, waiting for the huge Blarney Woolen Mills store to fill my needs, (it has Waterford, jewelry, sweaters, hats, basically all things Irish, and we get it shipped home, so don’t have to carry it around) that’s next Monday……credit card at the ready (and burning the hand holding it).
Where we go tomorrow is not decided, but fun shall be had by all.
Welcome to 10 Angels 