Day 7: Ireland!
It is not as if we did not like England. We saw a lot of beautiful things there. It was first time there. We experienced a lot. But, it was hot. We were sweating and taking two showers a day and at times needing a third.
And then we got to Ireland. The temperatures are nice. There are fewer people (and all very friendly). Even the three hour drive from Dublin to Westport was relaxing, driving through the gorgeous countryside, seeing the green everywhere. Even the roundabouts have been less intense. And Nico’s “grumpy eyes” have disappeared. He hasn’t complained on the trip, but he hasn’t had a cheerful face until we got here to Ireland, where he is snapping multiple photographs and smiling. I think that it is due to the heat, but either way, both he and Maria seem to love being in Ireland. Maria loves the quaintness of everything we have seen, and Nico loves the calmer weather (even the rain).
And then we got to Ireland. The temperatures are nice. There are fewer people (and all very friendly). Even the three hour drive from Dublin to Westport was relaxing, driving through the gorgeous countryside, seeing the green everywhere. Even the roundabouts have been less intense. And Nico’s “grumpy eyes” have disappeared. He hasn’t complained on the trip, but he hasn’t had a cheerful face until we got here to Ireland, where he is snapping multiple photographs and smiling. I think that it is due to the heat, but either way, both he and Maria seem to love being in Ireland. Maria loves the quaintness of everything we have seen, and Nico loves the calmer weather (even the rain).
We picked up our car at the airport in Dublin (no offsite shuttle or eternal wait this time!) and started our drive to Westport on the western side of Ireland. We were staying there a few nights in order to see some of the sites relatively close to there. We hoped to visit Croagh Patrick, a steep mountain where a national pilgrimage takes place in July every year. It is a beautiful mountain outside of Westport where St. Patrick supposedly climbed. It is a little too difficult of a climb for us. (It is a 3 hour climb for “those who are physically fit, we don’t recommend it otherwise,”). (As I am typing, our waitress just told us that there are things to do without doing the entire climb, so I’ll be able to share something about it after all tomorrow!)
Our first stop on the drive was to eat something. We had left our hotel early to have time to drop off the car, head to the airport and then catch our plane. We barely had time in the airport to get a coffee before hustling to be almost the last ones on board. Nico had chosen a route that avoided tolls and then searched for a restaurant to stop and eat. He found the Monastery Inn right on the highway. (Before continuing, a highway here is for the most part a two lane road. Think of how highway 99 used to be when you would drive down Golden State Blvd, stop in Livingston, etc. That is pretty close to the highways here, not the freeway system that we have in California.)
The restaurant was directly across from a Catholic Church and cemetery: beautiful location! While talking with the waiter, Maria asked why it was called the Monastery Inn. Turns out that it is just outside of what used to be a monastery for all of Western Europe. There are not even ruins anymore, as the site was totally destroyed by the Vikings, but during the “Dark Ages,” it was the Irish that saved Christianity, and the monastery that was there was one of the key locations. There was historical posters all around the restaurant, but we didn’t want to look too much like tourist to walk around reading them all, in spite of being highly tempted.
Our first stop on the drive was to eat something. We had left our hotel early to have time to drop off the car, head to the airport and then catch our plane. We barely had time in the airport to get a coffee before hustling to be almost the last ones on board. Nico had chosen a route that avoided tolls and then searched for a restaurant to stop and eat. He found the Monastery Inn right on the highway. (Before continuing, a highway here is for the most part a two lane road. Think of how highway 99 used to be when you would drive down Golden State Blvd, stop in Livingston, etc. That is pretty close to the highways here, not the freeway system that we have in California.)
The restaurant was directly across from a Catholic Church and cemetery: beautiful location! While talking with the waiter, Maria asked why it was called the Monastery Inn. Turns out that it is just outside of what used to be a monastery for all of Western Europe. There are not even ruins anymore, as the site was totally destroyed by the Vikings, but during the “Dark Ages,” it was the Irish that saved Christianity, and the monastery that was there was one of the key locations. There was historical posters all around the restaurant, but we didn’t want to look too much like tourist to walk around reading them all, in spite of being highly tempted.
Lunch was very tasty (fish and chips for Maria, while Nico and I had chicken and mushroom pie). After going to get a closer view of the cemetery, we hopped in the car to continue our drive across Ireland. Driving was not stressful at all. Changing gears with my left hand is now easy. I still feel strange looking at the rear-view mirror on my left and oncoming traffic to my right, but not as much stress. And then the lovely countryside! There was green everywhere, gorgeous clouds, sheep, cattle, quaint houses, and more. I kept hearing or saying, “Look over there,” or “Look at that.”
After three hours, we finally arrived in Westport. The customs agent (very friendly by the way), when asked by Maria why there are so many roundabouts everywhere after he asked me if I knew how to drive on the left, responded by saying, “You are asking the hard question.”) and the agent at the car rental company both mentioned how beautiful Westport is, and they were right. It is right on the west coast of Ireland, with lots of quaint buildings and shops. We loved both the look and the feel of the town.
After three hours, we finally arrived in Westport. The customs agent (very friendly by the way), when asked by Maria why there are so many roundabouts everywhere after he asked me if I knew how to drive on the left, responded by saying, “You are asking the hard question.”) and the agent at the car rental company both mentioned how beautiful Westport is, and they were right. It is right on the west coast of Ireland, with lots of quaint buildings and shops. We loved both the look and the feel of the town.
We stopped at a very cool shop and got some Irish themed stuff for ourselves and some gifts. Next we walked around the town center admiring the beautiful buildings. I kept hearing positive comments, as we walked around.
We had brought clothing for a little more than a week, and a week had past, so we went in search of a laundromat. I found one that was open 24/7, not something you see everyday, so we headed off. Now all we needed was to see if we could pay with a card or needed to get coins. We were in luck, but it was the strangest laundromat we have ever seen. The three machines are outside in the parking lot of a shopping center. Maria just had to get a photo of me finishing putting the clothes in the washer.
We had brought clothing for a little more than a week, and a week had past, so we went in search of a laundromat. I found one that was open 24/7, not something you see everyday, so we headed off. Now all we needed was to see if we could pay with a card or needed to get coins. We were in luck, but it was the strangest laundromat we have ever seen. The three machines are outside in the parking lot of a shopping center. Maria just had to get a photo of me finishing putting the clothes in the washer.
We left the clothes washing and walked to the restaurants around the corner right on the quay. The one we found via Google was packed. It is a pub and was standing room only. “I can get you a table at about 9.” That was way too late, so we went to the restaurant next door. Unfortunately for me, they had wine but no beer. I think it is the only restaurant in Ireland with no Guiness. By the time we made it back to our BnB, right above a pub, it was too late, so I will have to have my first Irish Guiness tomorrow.
We head to Knock tomorrow where there is a Carmelite monastery and the shrine of Knock where the relics of St Therese and her parents, Sts. Louis and Zellie Martin will be in preparation for the World Gathering of Families and the Pope in a couple of weeks.
We head to Knock tomorrow where there is a Carmelite monastery and the shrine of Knock where the relics of St Therese and her parents, Sts. Louis and Zellie Martin will be in preparation for the World Gathering of Families and the Pope in a couple of weeks.