Kim's In Charge, Our Ireland and Scotland Journey, Part 6

Randy just headed out the door for his version of "nightlife", night time photography.  He gave me permission to work on the blog, Day 7.  A few disclaimers as I begin this post.  I'm a preschool teacher, NOT an engineer.  I don't focus on details, I focus on telling the story.  Don't look for a bunch of historical detail tonight, nope, I'm in it for the experience, the feelings, the story. ...Exact opposite of the normal author.  With that out of the way, let's get to the adventure.

Day 7 started much the same as every other day so far. .. Breakfast. This has been very different for us both as we've been doing a fasting plan that has us skipping breakfast and eating between 11-7 each day.  Well, we're on "Holiday" and we did away with the fasting.  So, today was breakfast at the Consillio B & B in Galway. (Pronounced, Gaul-Way, think Gall-stones)  Our hostess, Stella, had fresh fruit, granola, cereals, figs, and of course Irish Breakfast Tea.  We also were given the option for a hot breakfast.  I had a scrambled egg, which was served on toast with mushroom slices and a tomato slice warmed.  Randy had a fried egg, mushroom slices, tomato, toast and bacon.  Every breakfast we were served in Ireland had much the same to offer.  The buffets always included the following items as the standard, Irish Breakfast:  Eggs, mushrooms, tomatoes, beans, black or white pudding, and beans.  Yes, I said beans, much like our "pork n beans".  Interesting to me, but completely the normal in Ireland.  I actually got brave one morning and decided to try the black "pudding"  OH MY Goodness, it was DISGUSTING!  I was almost sick.  Trust me when I tell you it taste NOTHING like pudding, but more like a really bad combination of the worst hot dog you've ever tasted , bologna, minced meat, spam, and mystery meat.  YUCK!  That was not my thing for sure. Trust me when I tell you, I will not be trying Irish pudding ever again.  

So with our bellies adequately stuffed once more, we bravely set out for more of the beautiful Irish countryside in our car.  Randy has done an amazing job learning the rules of the Irish road and hasn't scared me that much, at least no more than 10 times.  We headed from Galway towards Clifden and the Connemara National Park.   Clifden was our "deciding" point .  Sky road or straight to Connemara.  Thankfully, when we arrived the sky had cleared enough we decided to go for the gusto and drive the Sky Road.  Oh my, what a wonderful,

SCARY, fun experience that was.  Sky road is literally a one lane road with two way traffic up on the edge of Ireland's Atlantic Coast.  It seemed like we were always up high and I was always on the edge of death by falling off a cliff or being bush whacked by the hedges.  Driving on the left side of the road gives a passenger an entire different perspective.  It was a "harrowing" experience, but one I wouldn't trade for anything.  The views were amazing, the experience was amazing, and just laughing together and being with Randy made it a joy.  The road is part of the Wild Atlantic Way and I can honestly state that it is definitely worth the name!  

We both survived the sky road and set off for the

National Park.  Connemara is a big, vast wilderness that is known for the peat bogs and green marble.  This was not my thing, just being blunt here.  I didn't care for the park, the hike, the bogs, the wind....but there were a couple of good things about

this area.  The views back over the water were quite nice, and the company was good.  I suppose its something you should see when in Ireland, but it was definitely my least favorite stop of the trip.  Randy on the other hand, he found it nice and seemed to enjoy the different scenery.  Opposites don't you know!

Our next stop was one of the most amazing places I have EVER been or visited.  Kylemore Abbey was just 6 km down the road from the National Park. 

WOW!!!  The view from the road was amazing, just breathtaking and beyond words.  Kylemore was built in 1867 by Mitchell Henry as a love token for his beloved's wife Margaret.  The Henry's came to what

was a hunting lodge on the site for their honeymoon and Margaret fell in love with the area and Ireland.  Mitchell built the castle for Margaret as just a small token of his love and affection for her.  What a love story, right ladies.  I mean, what woman wouldn't want her man to build a castle to profess his undying love and affection to her.  Well, Mitchell did a fabulous job not only for his wife and family, but also

to the people of the area.  Hundreds of workers were employed to help in the building of Kylemore Castle and the region was enriched through the generosity of the Henry family.  Henry and Margaret had 9 children who were raised in the castle, the youngest was 2 at the time of Margaret's tragic death.  While on Holiday in Egypt, she  contracted dysentery and died 16 days later  at the age of 45.

  Mitchell had her body sent back to Kylemore and she was buried in a small mausoleum on the grounds.    After her death, Mitchell built a small

Neo-Gothic church as a memorial to her.  This guy was a true Romeo.  I love their story of love and admiration for each other and how they invested in their community and helped so many people in quiet ways.  

The castle was sold in 1902 by Mitchell Henry to the Duke and Duchess of York.  Eventually, the now named "Abbey" was sold to Benedictine nuns in the 1920's.  It was an international boarding school for many years.  If you want to know more about the history of the Abbey and visiting today, see the website, kylemoreabbey.com.  I loved seeing this grand, ornate building and touring some of the inside.  It was lovely in every respect.  The church was beautiful as well.  A wonderful afternoon for Randy and I both as we walked the pathway to the beautiful church, visited the inside and marveled at the beauty of the grounds.  By far, my favorite stop of the trip to this point.

We returned to the car and headed to the village of

Cong.  This was a stop Randy had requested.  Definitely a tourist stop for him.  You see, back in 1952, before either of us were born, a man named John Wayne came to the tiny village of Cong and filmed a movie.  The Quiet Man was filmed here starring Wayne and Maurine O'Hare  This movie was the favorite of Randy's dad and Randy definitely shared the sentiment.  We arrived just a few minutes

past 4, but the museum was closed.  However, we got to see the statue in the town square, the hotel named for the lead woman's family, and another lovely abbey and cemetery.    This was a good stop, beautiful little village and a nice bit of sentiment for the hubs.

Back to the car and time for some FOOD!  We went straight to Salthill, just beyond Galway, and parked the car on the side of the street by the harbor.  It was a very windy, cold walk to Galleon's restaurant

but very worth the suffering.  The food was delicious.  We both ordered Irish Pie and it was tremendous.  A yummy combination of beef, peas, carrots and gravy smothered in gorgeous, starchy,creamy white potatoes.  Yes,the taste buds

were rejoicing.  It was fabulous.  After paying our bill, we headed across the street and picked up a couple of tarts to enjoy back in the room while we packed up.  Yummy good and loads of calories.  Oh, the diet will be calling when we return home.

Comment from Randy:  Just returned to our hotel room after talking horses for 30 minutes with some Scottish gentleman who stopped me on the street while I was taking photographs.  I mistakenly told him I was from Kentucky.  Obviously I should've said Missouri.  No one knows anything great about Missouri.  I'm adding photos from my phone to this blog but not touching Kim's monologue.

Cheers.