Abbey Donegal

... at the Bunbeg House which is more like a small hotel down on the harbor. We were given the key to our room, told when breakfast is served, then left alone in the place. We’re constantly surprised by the trust these people have.

We went into town for dinner and came back to our room. John went for a short walk around the harbor, and it’s started to rain again. This has been an easy day for the most part--not much driving, and time to rest a bit.

... full.
Our next stop was Mullaghmore Head, and we drove around it. While not having the dramatic cliffs of the other heads we had seen, it was a pleasant drive. We got out of the car to take pictures, and John handed me the key to the car. I had told him I would drive only on roads with no other cars, and that’s where we were. It wasn’t bad, but I think he was more nervous than I was. I turned the car over to him after I drove through ...

Our first road trip this summer took us to the outskirts of Fermanagh to a little village called Kesh. We met up with my dear old friend Philip who took us to the pier to see the lough close up. Then it was onto the view point to see out across the lough and after that we went to a little forest park with some castle ruins. A very picturesque day indeed.

... size glowing statue of Our Lady on a motorised trolley.
The day was getting later and we still hadn't organized the night's accommodation so we stopped in Sligo for an Internet cafe and found some caravan parks near Derry. Of course Derry is in Northern Ireland, so we had all those international phone call hassles again. So when we got as far as Donegal we decided to stay there, but there were no caravan parks. I spoke to a grey nomad in ...

... into more jam.

Lunch was proving to be a problem until we at last found a pub open. All they had were toasted ham and cheese sandwiches; took forever and then they didn't get it right.

Next stop, Glenveagh National Park. We had ice cream in the park by the gift shop/tearoom and then took the bus to the castle and gardens. Sister needed to head for home to let her dogs out so we parted company there.

Donegal, County Donegal, Ireland jjarnold

Tuesday, June 23
We missed the turnoff to Strokestown so we skipped it.

A friend had given us driving directions through the Glens of Leitrim and that drive was lovely.

We stopped in Belleek just long enough to use the restrooms at the Pottery and take a quick wander through the museum. Just up the road, back in the Republic, was Celtic Weave China, a ...

... paninis and an interesting banana panacotta for dessert. I had a nasty incident with an unexpected wasabi peanut in the snack mix they’d brought us, but eventually recovered. (Note to self- no wasabi peanuts in My bar!) Kip finally found Maker’s Mark, and did a little happy dance because of it. I enjoyed a fantastic Bailey’s Coffee. Back in the room, I lit a candle, took a ...

... and afterwards spent a quiet evening at Noreen's with Moraid's two daughters, Denise (12) and Sharon (11) watching Hocus Pocus, which I had never seen so it was enjoyable. On Monday we did some more sightseeing and even saw some Irish Surfers (I have the pictures to prove it) Maybe if I go back to Donegal for Christmas I can practice my surfing skills in time for Hawaii. Noreen tells me that people will surf there all year round! Brrr! Monday afternoon we hopped back on ...

... afternoon on the back roads of County Donegal – with the extra degree of uncertainty of navigating by road signs only in Irish. It was certainly very enjoyable traversing across Ireland’s far north-western tip with its wild beaches, recently harvested peat stacked in long, black rows in the green fields and the ...

Co Donegal

Killibeg to Donegal
Gotta love this city!

This loop, from Ballintoy to Malin Head and down to Killibeg then Donegal was a tough ~ 175 miles ~

Peace agreement was not observed between political parties, therefore, curfew is mandatory and we have to stay in house. That sucks!