Waking refreshed in Galway we devoured breakfast at our hotel and made our way to the streets to find brisk but dry weather and clear skies. As we walked we watched the city clean up from the previous day as we made our way to a tour company where we could inquire about a trip to Innishmore, largest of the Arran Islands. Concerned about the blustery conditions we luckily found that a ferry would be heading to the Island that morning. Purchasing our tickets, we then outfitted ourselves with drinking water, raincoats (just in case) and snacks and were soon on the awaiting bus.
After less than an hours' ride west along the Galway Bay's northern coast, the bus arrived at Rossaveal and we headed out on the pier to our waiting boat. Rossaveal is located in a protected harbor off Galway Bay, it's safe isolation concealed the true intensity of the wind awaiting us on the open water. A full 30 minutes of the 45 minute ferry ride was spent tossed on high seas and watching ferry crew distribute barf bags to less hardy passengers. The more adventurous travelers chose to ride on the open top deck where they were buffeted by high (cold) wind and (cold) spray from the surging waters, poor bastards, once underway they were not allowed to move inside below deck where we were lucky enough to be seated in warm, dry comfort, but nonetheless still tossed by the surf. After arriving at Kilronan, the biggest and only town on Innishmore, we opted to tour the Island on a tandem bike. The guy at the bike rental desk informed us the tandem bikes were called "marriage testers" and fortunately, we passed. After a little practice we weren't adept, but were reasonably sure we wouldn't kill ourselves on the bike, and made our way across the island.
Innishmore is situated at the mouth of Galway Bay with the Atlantic to the East and Galway Bay to the West. The island occupies about 16 square miles and many archaeological sites dot the island. We made our way the four miles along the high road to the largest of the ancient sites, Dun Aengus. We arrived at the visitor center for the ancient fort as showers passed overhead, we seized the respit as an opportunity to grab some hot soup and tea before hiking to the ancient monument. After the relaxing snack the sky again cleared welcoming us for our blustery visit to the ancient fort. Dun Aengus is thought to date to 1100 B.C. and sits precariously on the western edge of the island, the a half circle stone ring fort sits atop the highest part of the island and is protected by a 300' sheer cliff to the west. The enclosed space comprised of three thick stone walls, the innermost forming a semi-circle 150 feet north and south and extending 140 feet to the east from the western cliff. Looking to the western horizon, North America is 3000 miles out, the eastern view is of a desolate, rocky terrain very similar to the Burren. After our blustery tour of Dun Aengus we hiked back to our awaiting bike and peddled, this time following the low road along the coast back to Kilronan Harbour, where we downed lunch and a pint. We then paid a visit to several shops before boarding our ferry back to the mainland. The return trip, although rough, proved not as exciting or violent a crossing as the earlier trip. Soon we were back in Rossaveal boarding our bus back to Galway.
On our return to Galway we happened on a stone monument at the city square near the Spanish Arch and noticed a U.S. Geologic Survey locater for Seattle, Washington. Turns out Seattle is the sister city of Galway. After learning that bit of Jeopardy fodder we headed for dinner at a kebob grill we had noted the previous day. I had a chicken kebob and Kate opted for the chicken dommer, both, it turns out, were excellent choices and satiated us after our busy day. We also found good dinner company in a computer programmer who was considering a career change to firefighter. I informed him firefighting was the best job in the world and he replied he kept hearing that. Don't know if he pursued it but he seemed like he would make a good firefighter. Following dinner we made our way into the streets to find a pint and possibly some music, no luck for music but did happen onto a pint or two at a couple of lively pubs. Following pints we returned to the hotel where a plate of fruit and chocolates, as well as a good night's sleep, awaited.
To see the rest of the pictures go HERE.
After less than an hours' ride west along the Galway Bay's northern coast, the bus arrived at Rossaveal and we headed out on the pier to our waiting boat. Rossaveal is located in a protected harbor off Galway Bay, it's safe isolation concealed the true intensity of the wind awaiting us on the open water. A full 30 minutes of the 45 minute ferry ride was spent tossed on high seas and watching ferry crew distribute barf bags to less hardy passengers. The more adventurous travelers chose to ride on the open top deck where they were buffeted by high (cold) wind and (cold) spray from the surging waters, poor bastards, once underway they were not allowed to move inside below deck where we were lucky enough to be seated in warm, dry comfort, but nonetheless still tossed by the surf. After arriving at Kilronan, the biggest and only town on Innishmore, we opted to tour the Island on a tandem bike. The guy at the bike rental desk informed us the tandem bikes were called "marriage testers" and fortunately, we passed. After a little practice we weren't adept, but were reasonably sure we wouldn't kill ourselves on the bike, and made our way across the island.
Innishmore is situated at the mouth of Galway Bay with the Atlantic to the East and Galway Bay to the West. The island occupies about 16 square miles and many archaeological sites dot the island. We made our way the four miles along the high road to the largest of the ancient sites, Dun Aengus. We arrived at the visitor center for the ancient fort as showers passed overhead, we seized the respit as an opportunity to grab some hot soup and tea before hiking to the ancient monument. After the relaxing snack the sky again cleared welcoming us for our blustery visit to the ancient fort. Dun Aengus is thought to date to 1100 B.C. and sits precariously on the western edge of the island, the a half circle stone ring fort sits atop the highest part of the island and is protected by a 300' sheer cliff to the west. The enclosed space comprised of three thick stone walls, the innermost forming a semi-circle 150 feet north and south and extending 140 feet to the east from the western cliff. Looking to the western horizon, North America is 3000 miles out, the eastern view is of a desolate, rocky terrain very similar to the Burren. After our blustery tour of Dun Aengus we hiked back to our awaiting bike and peddled, this time following the low road along the coast back to Kilronan Harbour, where we downed lunch and a pint. We then paid a visit to several shops before boarding our ferry back to the mainland. The return trip, although rough, proved not as exciting or violent a crossing as the earlier trip. Soon we were back in Rossaveal boarding our bus back to Galway.
On our return to Galway we happened on a stone monument at the city square near the Spanish Arch and noticed a U.S. Geologic Survey locater for Seattle, Washington. Turns out Seattle is the sister city of Galway. After learning that bit of Jeopardy fodder we headed for dinner at a kebob grill we had noted the previous day. I had a chicken kebob and Kate opted for the chicken dommer, both, it turns out, were excellent choices and satiated us after our busy day. We also found good dinner company in a computer programmer who was considering a career change to firefighter. I informed him firefighting was the best job in the world and he replied he kept hearing that. Don't know if he pursued it but he seemed like he would make a good firefighter. Following dinner we made our way into the streets to find a pint and possibly some music, no luck for music but did happen onto a pint or two at a couple of lively pubs. Following pints we returned to the hotel where a plate of fruit and chocolates, as well as a good night's sleep, awaited.
To see the rest of the pictures go HERE.
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