The World Through Our Lens
Ireland is an island in the North Atlantic to the west of Great Britain, from which it is separated by the North Channel, the Irish Sea, and St Georges Channel, and after which it is the largest island of the British Isles archipelago.
A short distance from Ennistymon brought us to the famed Cliffs of Moher in County Clare, one of the most dramatic stretches of Ireland’s west coast. When first we arrived, a light drizzle dampened our clothing, and a brisk wind swept in off the ocean lending a distinct chill to the air. With our rain ponchos in place, we were ready for anything. Read more
After taking our leave of Killarney, Bob and I wasted no time driving towards our next destination, the Cliffs of Moher. A freeway made it possible to put the miles behind us quickly, and then we exited onto secondary roads near Ennis. Next thing you know, we were driving down the quiet streets of the country market town known as Ennistymon in County Clare. A short walking tour of the Main Street turned up a very unexpected reminder of our Canadian home, a Tim Hortons coffee cup. Read more
Having left Drombeg Stone Circle close to noon, Bob and I soon paused in the tidy seaside village of Glandore for lunch al fresco with a lovely view of the local harbour from our position at the edge of a cliff. Read more
The Poison Garden at Blarney Castle is one of the featured gardens on the grounds that span some 1,000 acres, but it is but a tiny plot sheltered behind the Blarney Castle battlements. The Poison Garden contrasts sharply with the expansive green spaces and vibrant flowers found elsewhere on the estate property, but mystique pervades the small plot and has curious visitors anxious to investigate . Read more
After Bob and I were safely on shore following the boat tour of Cobh Harbour, the greater part of the afternoon was still available to us, so we drove up to Blarney Castle, in County Cork, to Kiss the Blarney Stone. Read more
We found the Recumbent Drombeg Stone Circle in a pastoral valley that was very similar to the one where Coppinger’s Court is situated. Read more
Coppingers Court Ruins looks more like a haunted house than a former Grand Stronghold. But it was that pervasive cryptic appeal that had Bob and I veering off R597 in County Cork, in search of its exact location. Read more
Bob and I awoke to a fine drizzle the next morning, so rather than pursue the harbour boat tour first off, we headed to The Titanic Experience where visitors are invited to retrace the footsteps of the Queenstown passengers who boarded the Titanic on its maiden voyage. Cobh Town was known as Queenstown from 1850 until 1920. Read more
From Waterford, Bob and I followed the scenic coastal road towards our next destination, Cork Harbour. Sheer cliffs and pretty farms were visible all along the route, but it made for slow progress. As storm clouds hemmed in the sky, we eventually resorted to using the main freeway in order to achieve our destination by mid-afternoon. Read more