The weather was a bit better today, with alternating sunshine and showers and more rainbows! The rainbows in Ireland have been spectacular and it’s no wonder that Irish people make up stories about leprechauns and fairies in a landscape that seems magical.
On our trip today we drove around Killary Fjord in northern Connemara as we headed toward County Mayo. It was a beautiful ride along the fjord with the hills and mountains on either side. My photos taken through a bus window do not do it justice.
Our first stop was Glen Keen Farm where we attended a sheep herding demonstration. Michael the shepherd and his dog Jan showed us how they work together to move sheep wherever they need them to go. Jan is a lovely border collie who was very friendly with us tourists, but all business when it was time to work. Jan is trained to follow voice and whistle commands and Michael demonstrated both. I love border collies and would have one, but I’m too old to keep up with one, and I’ve been advised not to get a dog that’s smarter than I am. After the herding demonstration we were treated to scones and other homemade goodies and entertained by local musicians.
Back on the bus we headed toward County Mayo. Our bus rides were long today, but our guide James entertained us with history, stories and music. The history was a lot to take in and I don’t remember the details of all the stories, but the best one was about the Sam Maquire Cup and how County Mayo’s Gaelic football team won the championship in 1951. The team celebrated loudly, interrupting a funeral procession and the priest cursed them, declaring that they would never win another championship as long as any of them were living. That proved true for more than 70 years The last team member died recently and, of course, the curse was reversed and Mayo was victorious once more.
Our next stop was the Knock Shrine, a Roman Catholic pilgrimage site where villagers claimed to see an apparition of the Virgin Mary, Saint John, Saint Joseph, some angels, and Jesus. This has been investigated and declared a miracle.
Our journey continued along a very scenic route to Sligo where we stopped at the Thomas Connolly pub for a drink. This is an award-winning pub established in 1861 and we enjoyed a Changing Times Clockwork Stout from a Dublin brewery.
We checked into our hotel in Sligo and then took a scenic drive along the coast (big waves!) and on to a dinner at Harrison’s Bar and Restaurant.
Tomorrow we’re headed to Carrick on Shannon.
