Wrapping up Ireland

To finish reports of our trip to Ireland here are some images that capture what I remember of the time we spent there.

This is Dunguarie Castle, a 16^th century fortified house. It was restored in the 1950s by an English woman who lived there for 20 odd years.

Nearby is the small town of Kinvara which was the closest settlement with shops to where we were staying. I love the use of colour on the buildings that was common throughout this part of Ireland.

As I have mentioned, the karst formations dominate the landscape. Here is a coastal pavement on the west coast near Doolin (the Cliffs of Moher in the far distance).

The bare rock rises above the cultivated low lands near Ballyvaughan which was the nearest village to where we stayed in the opposite direction to Kinvara. 

This interesting view of the rock strata is near the highest point of the Burren.

Here are two views of the grikes (the cracks) and clints (the remaining rock islands)

 

There are several of these Martello Towers scattered around defending from some long forgotten foe (probably Napoleon). This was one of the larger ones we saw.

Ireland is nothing if not a country of gentle farmland and contented animals. Here are some equines we came across.

The donkeys were very friendly, even the emo one, and loved being fed a handful of thistles.

This is a classic scene of peaceful bucolic comfort.

 

And finally, a piece of cultural history – the house used in the tv sitcom Father Ted. We followed many a narrow lane to get to the place which is site of pilgrimage for similarly minded people.