The Pettitt Page: August 27

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Today we headed to the Cliffs of Moher. We were planning to follow our guidebook’s trip from the Cliffs of Moher through the Burren. We headed down to Lahinch where the drive started. On the way we stopped at the Dunguaire Castle in Kinvarra. It is beautifully set right on the water and supposedly they host mid-evil dinners each evening. Then down to Lahinch where there were TONS of people trying to surf in the wind and cold water. There really weren’t big waves, but the parking lot was packed and if was a family affair. We stopped for lunch in Liscannor and ate some yummy sea food at the Anchor Inn. Fish and chips fresh caught and delicious! The Cliffs of Moher were beautiful. The visitor’s center was also wonderful and full of great information. After a pretty cloudy and a bit rainy morning, the sun was peeking out and shining on the cliffs. The WIND was a bit crazy though! I had some video of grandma pretty much being blown away! Back into the car and up the road. We took a short side trip down to the little town of Doolin, just across a little bay from the Cliffs. The town was pretty cute and you can take cruises from there out underneath the Cliffs. We also had to stop and take a peek at the Doolin Pitch and Putt….a golf course, but just pitching and putting. It was sure in a beautiful location right on the water!!! Further up the road we drive through the Burren. It is a part of the country that is very rocky with hardly any real soil. We stopped at the Poulnabrone Dolmen. It is a portal tomb and one that is very well preserved. Two slabs of rock standing upright with one large slab up on top. Pretty impressive and the people buried there date back to 3000 or 4000 BC. That is a LONG time ago!!! As we were there the sun was beginning to set and the lighting was neat. Back down the road and we had to stop again just past Kinvara because the sunset was beautiful and we wanted pictures! The sun was setting just over the mountain sticking out into the bay and the clouds were all lit up. Hopefully the pictures show at least some of the beauty! Then the long drive back to Ballinasloe where we met up with everybody from the wedding for a continuation of the party at the Duck Inn. More food and music and lots of people who were family, cousins, friends, etc!!! Now if only I can remember some names.