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Originally Posted by stevie
(Post 37194517)
Please do not take offence but I would have varied the hotels I stayed in for a trip like this. Surrounded by rich Americans cocooned in contrived luxury is fine for a day or two but I would get very bored/frustrated quickly.
There are so many great smaller hotels/guest houses available where you will get to meet all kinds of travellers and 'normal' people. (I say this as an Irish resident and one who worked in Dromoland Castle some time ago. Its all a bit of an act from the castle and decorations to how the employees act). While I'm not always satisfied with what should be the best, I'm simply not the type for guest houses. Would save a lot of money if it would be different. |
Let´s explore
Time for our first day of discovery in Ireland. Even the journey to our destination often offers interesting views.
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Kylemore Abbey
Kylemore Abbey also has a walled garden. You can either walk there in half an hour or take a bus. However, the bus should be used with caution. There are hardly any seats, but people still pack the ancient vehicle to the brim. There are no handholds for standing passengers, most of whom are of retirement age. This is a great way to promote the local hospital.
The walled garden is worth seeing. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...5845e5a19e.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...ddc3e8be08.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...06193b9843.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...87d26a61c7.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...96d963d782.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...87065b952b.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...bd6de50f1e.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...0dc9a6330f.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...c1b404c544.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...0f1b35df50.jpg The old winery is also located in the walled garden. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...4f1a03ca34.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...ad9b47b5a2.jpg The house for unmarried gardeners. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...156eb2b5f1.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...9662f99058.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...9d15e2010a.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...79e839cf00.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...f5ca1ce14a.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...6cb58cbf60.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...b50a214e2d.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...5a386cabaf.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...57a1f3fdb9.jpg The head gardener's house. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...636433f6de.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...eb131bcb94.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...6a363c1bb7.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...9aeb555744.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...fe1e981c7c.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...0b39a36e43.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...9c76566e2c.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...de0f9982cc.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...2adcb23ffe.jpg Finally, let's go to the greenhouse. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...dca5d294c1.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...fb5e0e2387.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...36bb2d3bc4.jpg |
Originally Posted by offerendum
(Post 37195161)
I understand your point. My credo is more the Oscar Wilde one: My taste is very simple, I'm satisfied with the best.
While I'm not always satisfied with what should be the best, I'm simply not the type for guest houses. Would save a lot of money if it would be different. |
Originally Posted by stevie
(Post 37198101)
Enjoy the rest of your trip, hope you are enjoying the great weather.
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Loch Corrib
Some of you may have wondered what the lake is called that Ashford Castle is located on. It is Loch Corrib, the second largest lake in Ireland. Apart from the hotel, we saw most of the lake from the car while we were driving, so naturally there are no photos of it. We stopped at one point, and here are a few impressions.
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Ashford Castle
In the evening, we went to Cullen's at the Cottage for dinner. The restaurant is located just before the bridge, so it's not actually in the castle.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...664234f3cb.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...034c5918a6.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...c1e5ea2211.jpg They have attempted to recreate a fisherman's hut. It is quite nicely done and certainly the most rustic dining option at Ashford Castle. It was completely empty during our visit, with only a (very well-behaved) baby providing some atmosphere. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...2daf3d66ec.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...d52035c202.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...d5eab080e7.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...56e6ed43ef.jpg The menu https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...4f05d4027a.jpg Nice table decoration https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...cea8b35f01.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...8278b24ccd.jpg Bread and butter. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...73368b5126.jpg Connamera Crab - Brown Crab Butter, Brioche, Land Cress, Pickled Vegetables https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...8d902ba956.jpg The food was much more rustic than I had imagined. It wasn't really to my taste. Technically, however, there was nothing to complain about; it was good. St. Tola Gooat´s Cheese Croquette - Beetroot, Rocket Pesto https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...adc5de6e3e.jpg That was good. For the main course, I wanted the seafood platter with lobster, langoustines, mussels, garlic cream, vegetables, and fries. Seafood platters have a magical attraction for me. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...bf54f9b01a.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...8d2e189a86.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...7d32b7c839.jpg Everything was fine and good, but I wouldn't order it again. It's quite a mess to cut everything up at the table, and afterwards you not only have greasy hands, you also don't get to enjoy your dinner. Dessert: Valrhona Chocolate Mousse https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...e017e0c518.jpg That was good too. The food was good, although I would try different dishes next time. I would definitely recommend it. As expected, the bill wasn't cheap, but overall it was less costly than at the castle. There was also no service charge. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...9a30cd552f.jpg Petit fours https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...6d5e7ae8a7.jpg Then let's go back to the castle. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...1e4efb3316.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...4dbb8e4717.jpg |
Cong
Cong is a small village (around 1,000 inhabitants) that you more or less inevitably pass through when leaving Ashford Castle. The village is dominated by the ruins of its abbey, and there are also a few reminders of the film “The Quiet Man.”
The tour began at St Mary of the Rosary Church. It is a modern building integrated into the ruins of the abbey. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...558172d27a.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...05d52c0584.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...815941f655.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...788515e799.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...7890012d5f.jpg Right next to it and behind it is the abbey with its cemetery. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...0e9c3cf75b.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...17b34f64f8.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...f74626e156.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...2c9067cd83.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...fe05f8d9d2.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...769fd1caec.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...c2e3709ff1.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...d7da2dbeff.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...b51b5e9f6c.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...c7d17298f7.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...c01c7d4927.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...882a28ab30.jpg Opposite the abbey are further ruins. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...eddb7af7cb.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...e2e6bae849.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...8bd2fd3346.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...adb73c92e2.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...8262b019e7.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...e2cf8ede3a.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...d9b7248312.jpg Behind the abbey is located a small park https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...4692b40b37.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...22e46ff490.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...08e993094d.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...cb4a17e7f0.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...235f3d5e26.jpg The “center” of town with tourist office and “Quiet Man Statue.” https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...7ee2107ee9.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...739a5aff83.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...d0005062f3.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...4c8154f707.jpg |
Ross Errilly Friary
These ruins, commonly referred to as Ross Abbey, can be reached via a rather “romantic” road, so I was glad I wasn't traveling in my own car.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...c2471ff3db.jpg The abbey itself is a stunning ruin, with much of it still intact. As is common in such ruins, there are also some more recent graves, so it seems that it still serves as a burial site on rare occasions. The youngest grave I found is from 2005. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...31aa6d1a6c.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...2f0e73a412.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...879a88ceb3.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...0d0694481a.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...59c7e81b41.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...66fa3975cb.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...93c2541294.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...6011b88c8e.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...15ae821041.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...e08cc45125.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...cc87db6c49.jpg The tour is free of charge, and everything is very well maintained. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...4e15a5e7af.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...e20068b356.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...c2aecb419d.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...fea58e22c5.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...33562c8c76.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...e1fa736824.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...f09d4fa068.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...1b273ef329.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...385dcb2095.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...1150283dab.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...e9ce8bf952.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...f00fb7e980.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...9f5b3ae348.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...4a7e48ead4.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...ffa824de55.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...6d531a011e.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...4d71bc8e25.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...08a7a90c29.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...b786fc5efa.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...61cb61e7c5.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...97a457549b.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...55c04ba09b.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...5afd1c3b8d.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...6af34a1bac.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...380c22b138.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...5b56dd07e0.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...21f19cacff.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...6c246936d8.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...f2fba75312.jpg |
Annaghdown Cathedral
There should be a cathedral nearby. Of course, I'm interested. Cathedrals are special churches. Large, stately. Important churches.
To be honest, I almost drove past it. The ruins are located in a cemetery and can best be described as a small church. In front of it was some old sheet metal, which wasn't particularly impressive. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...c24c47474c.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...6dddd29139.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...8454cb88be.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...579896fedc.jpg Definitely the cathedral! https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...4fb69a76dd.jpg How many people could fit in there? https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...3705ac4af2.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...c4b7b99b27.jpg Next to it are the remains of the abbey. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...ffd003ce4b.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...20406c894f.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...6efa0da712.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...11f86bdcc4.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...dc809a9d31.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...541269bfa7.jpg |
Galway - Lynch´s Castle
The actual destination for the day was Galway. Lynch's Castle was highlighted in the travel guide. I'll keep it short. When I got there, I was quite surprised. It was an old, small building. Inside, it's now a bank, nothing special at all.
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St. Nicholas´ Colligate Church
The church is the largest continuously used parish church in Ireland. It is used by the Anglican Church, but also by Orthodox denominations.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...ef856c38ff.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...50e61b45a3.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...a915df3df0.jpg Admission costs €5 per person, but in return you get to see a nice old church. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...aa9b0e16c3.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...7254cd0b30.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...091f4cf06c.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...be77c07bcb.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...562206bb79.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...fbfd43e0ce.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...33ece0cc42.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...04a383bd9f.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...eb05621170.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...0dac6cb6a1.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...6934b15720.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...7b7bb15035.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...049f1d4170.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...37fa237663.jpg Some old graves in the middle of the city. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...04d3876bb0.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...9b79974d76.jpg |
I used to live on Loch Corrib for a short while, but in Corrib Village, student accomodation of Ollscoil na Gaillimhe. Somewhat less luxurious, and the house special of Beans on Toast would not have passed muster (but it was cheap).
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Galway
Galway is a really pretty town with some beautiful buildings. The museum was closed, but you can't have everything.
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