Our Ireland Adventure Day 12

Happy Easter - Checking Into the Lough Eske Castle Hotel

 

Our B&B decorated for Easter and we each received a small chocolate egg, so we enjoyed that homey Easter atmosphere. However, we did miss our family a bit.

After a nice breakfast, we quickly packed up and left St. Judes for our next adventure. The drive to Lough Eske Castle  was one of the longest of this trip – approximately three hours. While it rained considerably, the trip went quickly and well.

The hotel is housed in a restored 17th-century castle on the shores of Lough Eske close to Donegal. We were escorted to a Courtyard Room that looked more like a small apartment, very plush and modern. It is impossible to believe that this was originally the castle's horse stables

The five star hotel offered numerous activities, but Paul and I took the opportunity to hike around the castle grounds. As you can see from the photos below it is beautiful here. 

We ate both lunch and dinner at the castle bar. The Gallery Bar also offers a classic list of cocktails, aperitifs, after-dinner drinks, Irish coffees, European wines, and a collection of over 90 fine whiskies. At lunch I splurged and bought a shot of Midleton Very Rare – what a joy.

We were honored to chat with locals, mother and daughter, at dinner. They recommended that we go to the Bushmill Distillery – the oldest distillery in Ireland. They also suggested we check out the Giant Causeway. Paul and I love following the recommendations from locals.

The topic turned towards politics and both ladies were horrified at the possibility of Trump as the next American president.

Related Posts: 

• Our Ireland Adventure Day 14
• Our Ireland Adventure Day 13
• Our Ireland Adventure Day 12
• Our Ireland Adventure Day 11
• Our Ireland Adventure Day 10
• Our Ireland Adventure Day 9
• Our Ireland Adventure Day 8
• Our Ireland Adventure Day 7
• Our Ireland Adventure Day 6
• Our Ireland Adventure Day 5
• Our Ireland Adventure Day 4
• Our Ireland Adventure Day 3
• Our Ireland Adventure Day 2
• Our Ireland Adventure Day 1

Our Ireland Adventure Day 11

Aran Island Day Tour 

 

Yesterday was a bit rough. Paul could not get comfortable in his bed and breakfast bed. Breakfast was not served until 8:30 a.m. and we had to walk about a half a mile to our pick-up point for our Aran Island day tour, so we just picked up a quick pastry and left.

The weather in Ireland finally presented cold and rainy. That plastic poncho AAA supplied us sure did come in handy. The tour company had us wait across the street from the aquarium, in from of the dog poop disposal!!!  We got there about fifteen minutes early and of course they were about fifteen minutes late; so it was a long wet wait out in the Ireland elements.

The bus picked us up for the half hour bus ride to the ferry to Aran Island. The boat was sitting there waiting for us and the forty-five minute journey to the Island went quickly although the seas were lumpy. However, Aran Island was cold, and super windy.

We walked up the hill to the front of the Fisherman B&B to wait for our bus tour. Our driver was very knowledgeable and fun. He was born and raised on Aran and it showed. We stopped at an old cemetery but it was flooded from the recent storm.

The bus wove through the narrow path through the island and the driver narrated expertly. However, it was just too cold for us to really explore. Paul and I found a nice warm café and enjoyed a long lunch. We also enjoyed the warmth of the little shops.

We had to wait for the return ferry back in the rain. Then when the doors finally opened, the horde of youngsters pushed their way forward and tried to run though us. They did not realize that we are not pushovers. We found a good seat and relished as a group of high school kids squealed every time a big wave rocked them violently.

Of course the bus was forty minutes late picking us up for our return ride to Lower Salt Hill. Of course it hailed during our wait.

Aran Island was fun but the trip left us cold, hungry and tired. I really do not do well when I have to wait. It certainly did not help that I was suffering from a headache. Not the best day but still a great day in Ireland.

Related Posts: 

• Our Ireland Adventure Day 14
• Our Ireland Adventure Day 13
• Our Ireland Adventure Day 12
• Our Ireland Adventure Day 11
• Our Ireland Adventure Day 10
• Our Ireland Adventure Day 9
• Our Ireland Adventure Day 8
• Our Ireland Adventure Day 7
• Our Ireland Adventure Day 6
• Our Ireland Adventure Day 5
• Our Ireland Adventure Day 4
• Our Ireland Adventure Day 3
• Our Ireland Adventure Day 2
• Our Ireland Adventure Day 1

Our Ireland Adventure Day 10

St. Judes B&B and the National Aquarium of Ireland

 

It was a good day for a travel day due to the wind and cold. However, before leaving Dromoland Castle for our jaunt up to Galway, Paul met Patrick at the front of the castle for a stint of Clay Pigeon shooting. Patrick drove us to a secluded area of the castle grounds and gave instruction. Paul had thirty shots and hit quite a few targets. What fun, but it did leave his shoulder a bit sore.

The drive to Galway was an hour and twenty minutes. It is a harbor city on Ireland’s west coast and sits where the River Corrib meets the Atlantic. 

Our bed and breakfast, St. Judes offered a small room with an en-suite bathroom. Most importantly the internet worked well enough for me to get a bit of blogging and work in. It is also located just a half a mile from the beach.

You can see from the photos below that it was cold. But you cannot feel the wind that almost blew us over as we walked the city. 

Considering the weather, we picked an indoor activity, the National Aquarium of Ireland. It was eight euros per senior to enter the Galway Atlantaquaria.

Galway Atlantaquaria, National Aquarium of Ireland seeks to present a comprehensive view of the world of water through clear and interesting displays, informed helpful staff and exciting live presentations and animal interaction sessions.

It was fun and I enjoyed taking photos.

We ate an early dinner/late lunch at Da Roberta's Ristorante & Pizzeria. Yummy food, good atmosphere, friendly service but no alcohol due to the Good Friday ban. . . . . . . I did enjoy some tasty grape juice . . . . 

Related Posts: 

• Our Ireland Adventure Day 14
• Our Ireland Adventure Day 13
• Our Ireland Adventure Day 12
• Our Ireland Adventure Day 11
• Our Ireland Adventure Day 10
• Our Ireland Adventure Day 9
• Our Ireland Adventure Day 8
• Our Ireland Adventure Day 7
• Our Ireland Adventure Day 6
• Our Ireland Adventure Day 5
• Our Ireland Adventure Day 4
• Our Ireland Adventure Day 3
• Our Ireland Adventure Day 2
• Our Ireland Adventure Day 1

Our Ireland Adventure Day 9

Dromoland Castle Hotel in Newmarket - On - Fergus, Co. Clare, Ireland 

 

Just a half an hour away from the Old Ground Hotel was our next stay at Dromoland Castle Hotel. Well it was actually only twenty minutes away but I goofed and we took the wrong exit on the Rotary (Traffic Circle); so we utilized the “scenic route.”

The magnificent, five star Dromoland Castle http://www.dromoland.ie prove to be beyond our expectations. We savored this majestic castle and its enchanting lake, as we passed through the castle gates. It was the ancestral home of the O’Briens of Dromoland who were the Kings of Thomond and whose lineage goes back 1,000 years to Brian Boru, the only High King of Ireland. The castle is situated on four hundred and ten (410) acres of exquisiteness in the peaceful Clare countryside.

Located well outside of any cities, the hotel offers a plethora of activities: golf, dining, a pub, spa; health club with indoor swimming pool, falconry, archery, boating, clay pigeon shooting, tennis, walking and mountain biking just to name a few. 

Our room (219) is housed in the oldest part of the castle but was fully modernized. It featured a cottage-style décor which is based on 18th-century botanical drawings, complementing the sumptuous upholstery designed by the French fabric house Pierre Frey. It truly did look like the photos in the advertisements. It was huge, comfy, and beautiful. 

After thoroughly exploring our surroundings, we enjoyed a late lunch. Mrs. White’s Tea is served between the hours of two and five in the afternoon and consists of a selection of piping hot teas with a delicious selection of freshly baked pastries and breads. It was presented with a traditional flair under sparkling Waterford Crystal Chandeliers that added to the enjoyment of the feasting event. 

There was only one item remaining on my list of “Irish Must-dos;” that was to drink Guinness in a pub will listening to live Irish music. A tired Paul and I check that off this evening. Tommy entertained us in the small pub by strumming his acoustical guitar and singing Irish melodies. The perfect end to another perfect night. 

Related Posts: 

• Our Ireland Adventure Day 14
• Our Ireland Adventure Day 13
• Our Ireland Adventure Day 12
• Our Ireland Adventure Day 11
• Our Ireland Adventure Day 10
• Our Ireland Adventure Day 9
• Our Ireland Adventure Day 8
• Our Ireland Adventure Day 7
• Our Ireland Adventure Day 6
• Our Ireland Adventure Day 5
• Our Ireland Adventure Day 4
• Our Ireland Adventure Day 3
• Our Ireland Adventure Day 2
• Our Ireland Adventure Day 1