Galley Head, county Cork

A much delayed lighthouse trip for the old fart who had celebrated one of his many roundy birthdays during lockdown. This time it was three nights in Galley Head lightkeepers' cottages and the weather was incredible (for once)

On a trip to nearby Union Hall

The Mullet peninsula

 June 2022 and the beautiful, long hot summer took a two week vacation with the two old people who decided to head into the wescht for their holliers. Okay, it wasn't cold (I am made of fluff so stayed warm) but the oldies never got out of their jumpers and thick coats.

The very beautiful and shallow Elly Bay, just one of thousands of beaches we walked on that holiday.

 

The harbour at Inishkea with all the abandoned houses lining the foreshore and, yes, the obligatory beach

On the beach at Cleggan. Achill Island is the backdrop to the first photo, Cleggan Island for the second.

Arranmore Island, county Donegal

Easter 2022. A week long trip to an island off the Donegal Coast with Mark, Louise, Summer, Lachlan and the two old people. 

Seems like everywhere on Arranmore you can see the sea. See?

Of course, the old fart had to drag everybody to a lighthouse

Then of course they thought it highly amusing to put me on an island and leave me there while the tide came in. Thank God Lachlan and Granny rescued me. 

Carrickfinn Beach, county Donegal

 

Donegal airport is located on a narrow strip of land jutting out into the Atlanticle Ocean, with a beach on one side and a beach on the other. As such, it has been voted as the Most Scenic Airport in the Solar System by somebody.

The beach to the west of the runway is called Carrickfinn beach, a long expanse of white sand with some rocky bits at the far end. Obviously, we had to head for the rocky bits.

And then, of course, they got trapped in the rocky bits and couldn't find a way out,,,

Annagry, county Donegal

An unexpected September break to Donegal, when Brenda and Dave invited myself and the two old people up to the village of Annagry in county Donegal, halfway between Daniel O'Donnell country and Clannad country. I was hoping for a lazy few days but on the first morning Brenda dragged me up the local hill with "great views of the airport and surrounding beaches."

When we got back to the house (above), Pheasanty, the official house pet, seemed dumbstruck when I told him all about it.

The Sean Bothar, Cornamona to Clonbur

Our place near Clonbur was on the shores of Lough Corrib about 2 kms outside Clonbur. Behind us loomed the impressive shape of Mount Gable, along the bottom of which runs the Sean Bothar, a ten kilometer old road between Corr na Mona and Clonbur. It is closed to vehicular traffic, except at the extremities and is a lovely peaceful walk with the lake glistening below.

The local history guys and gals have added interest to the walk by marking each ruined (or disappeared) homestead with the name of the family that lived there.

 

The Coral Strand, county Galway

 

Finally, after years and years, this thing called Coronavirus seems to be going away and my humans decide to come blinking out into the sunlight once more. To be honest, anywhere would make a change, so off we head to Clonbur on the shores of Lough Corrib, on the Galway / Mayo border.

One of the first places we visited was the Coral Strand near Carraroe on the shores of Galway Bay. 

Despite the name, it isn't really made of coral but coarse bits of tiny, ground mussels and other shellfish. Whatever ...

It is a beautiful peaceful place, though it is not large and therefore can seem quite full at times. On the day that we went, though, there was one other visitor, who had brought ten thousand relations to see this beautiful beach....

Fanad Lighthouse, county Donegal

Stayed in this historic lighthouse on the northern tip of Donegal for three nights and had a great time. Whether it was very windy or beautifully calm it was a brilliant experience. They wouldn't let me make my mark in the visitors book though.

Slea Head, co. Kerry

The Family Fox brought me down to Slea Head, the most westerly part of the Dingle peninsula. You can see the Blasket Islands in the background. God it's wild down here!

 Summer Fox and Spotted Dog

Dingle, co. Kerry

A little break down to the Dingle peninsula in March 2016 with the Family Fox. Had a great time with Fungi, a dolphin, who lives down here.

Reginald's Tower, Waterford

Reginald’s Tower is Waterford’s landmark monument and Ireland’s oldest civic building. It has been in continuous use for over 800 years.  The first tower on the site was built by Vikings after 914 and formed the apex of the triangular settlement, an area known to this day as the Viking Triangle.  Re-built by the Anglo Normans in the 12th century the top two floors were added in the 15th century.  Until about 1700 the tower was the strongpoint of the medieval defensive walls that enclosed the city. 

Hook Lighthouse, Wexford, Ireland

The oldest lighthouse in Ireland down at Hook Head. Monks tended a light here from the fifth century.

Sheeps Head Lighthouse, co. Cork - July 2012

 Had to hike a couple of miles to reach this lighthouse

Fastnet Lighthouse, co Cork - July 2012

 The most southwesterly point of Ireland, the iconic Fastnet Lighthouse