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Getting Packed, Ready for the Craic

Writer: Clark Taylor
Clark Taylor
May 10
2 min read

Updated: May 20

The Sunday before Tuesday's departure we're getting ready to leave. The yard, garden needed a lot of readying what with hoses and planting and such.

The fine leg stretcher himself, Pat, owner/barman at the inestimable Guiry's Pub, Foxford, Ireland Co. Mayo
The fine leg stretcher himself, Pat, owner/barman at the inestimable Guiry's Pub, Foxford, Ireland Co. Mayo
The Cliffs of Moher visitor center over-look. The last time here it was so foggy couldn't see a thing. Way back there on the tip end is Hag's Head. Hag's Head is a rock shaped like, I suppose, a hag's head. It is also a punk band AND a vape shop. Near to it is Moher Tower, a really old promontory fort. . And by that I mean, maybe 8th century? Total guess. The path to it was closed so no hike there this time. Last time we walked the entire there and back in the blind fog.
The Cliffs of Moher visitor center over-look. The last time here it was so foggy couldn't see a thing. Way back there on the tip end is Hag's Head. Hag's Head is a rock shaped like, I suppose, a hag's head. It is also a punk band AND a vape shop. Near to it is Moher Tower, a really old promontory fort. . And by that I mean, maybe 8th century? Total guess. The path to it was closed so no hike there this time. Last time we walked the entire there and back in the blind fog.
Out in the Burren, this is a 6000 year old crypt called, wait for it, the Rest Room. Sounds better in Gaelic. Which they call "Irish" these days, thanks. Anyway, the line to get into this thing was too long so we just took a picture. There was a confused fox in the parking lot. Kidding, it's called Poulnabrone Dolmen. A neolithic collective burial site. Oldest dated megalithic tomb in Ireland. It's located in a limestone studded landscape called The Burren. Bleak and fun. Like a lot of the places. . No line at all. There was a fox.
Out in the Burren, this is a 6000 year old crypt called, wait for it, the Rest Room. Sounds better in Gaelic. Which they call "Irish" these days, thanks. Anyway, the line to get into this thing was too long so we just took a picture. There was a confused fox in the parking lot. Kidding, it's called Poulnabrone Dolmen. A neolithic collective burial site. Oldest dated megalithic tomb in Ireland. It's located in a limestone studded landscape called The Burren. Bleak and fun. Like a lot of the places. . No line at all. There was a fox.
The entry way to the home where our very nice BnB. Ros na Mara translates to Rose of the Sea or Promontory of the Sea depending on accent. This is me not being sure of that, nor much caring since I am writing this from Edinburgh and cannot ask the owner.
The entry way to the home where our very nice BnB. Ros na Mara translates to Rose of the Sea or Promontory of the Sea depending on accent. This is me not being sure of that, nor much caring since I am writing this from Edinburgh and cannot ask the owner.
Out walking along the Atlantic on a vague trail along the Spanish Point. This is a lovely locale celebrating the famous accidental and quite violent landing of a couple of Spanish ships wherein the majority of the sailors drowned and the few who washed ashore, slogging their way up the treacherous rocks in a storm were promptly hung and buried, along with however many bodies washed ashore in the aftermath, somewhere nearby though no one seems to know exactly where. This in 1588. So, while they obviously didn't like the Spaniards, they nonetheless named it for them since not much else happened before or much after that. There was a shipwreck of the SS Kelp, which ironically -- or is it coincidentally -- is the name of the product which many of the locals harvested and then burned to create potash which makes iodine and other old timey products. Anyway, some more bleak fun along the wild Atlantic Way.
Out walking along the Atlantic on a vague trail along the Spanish Point. This is a lovely locale celebrating the famous accidental and quite violent landing of a couple of Spanish ships wherein the majority of the sailors drowned and the few who washed ashore, slogging their way up the treacherous rocks in a storm were promptly hung and buried, along with however many bodies washed ashore in the aftermath, somewhere nearby though no one seems to know exactly where. This in 1588. So, while they obviously didn't like the Spaniards, they nonetheless named it for them since not much else happened before or much after that. There was a shipwreck of the SS Kelp, which ironically -- or is it coincidentally -- is the name of the product which many of the locals harvested and then burned to create potash which makes iodine and other old timey products. Anyway, some more bleak fun along the wild Atlantic Way.
Lady Kathleen enjoying a perusal of the sea from a stone bench fashioned into the hillside. A lovely sight whichever way you're facing. This along the aforementioned Spanish Point walk.
Lady Kathleen enjoying a perusal of the sea from a stone bench fashioned into the hillside. A lovely sight whichever way you're facing. This along the aforementioned Spanish Point walk.

 
 
 

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