Breakfast:Â In the hotel.
Morning: Today we travel by motor coach for a full day exploring Connemara. A broad peninsula between Killary Harbour and Kilkieran Bay in the west of County Galway, Connemara has long been regarded as the real emerald of Ireland. Expect to see Cong and Kylemore Abbey – the oldest Benedictine abbey in Ireland.
Lunch:Â Served in Kylemore Abbey.
Afternoon:Â We continue on to explore the sleepy seaside villages of Connemara, stopping at Lough Inagh Lodge in the village of Recess. Enjoy the opportunity to try an Irish Coffee in this beautiful old hunting lodge, nestling on the shores of Lake Inagh. Our day continues with a visit to the award winning Cnoc Suain Heritage Centre for an insight into the rural folklore, traditions and way of life in the west of Ireland, as well as enjoying an Irish coffee demonstration.
Dinner:Â Served at Alan Cruiscin Lan in the village of Spiddal.
Evening:Â Return to Galway by motor coach after dinner, followed by free time.
Breakfast…oh, yes: F.I.B.
What a beautiful, educational, and fun day! We we climbed and wound from the Atlantic shire into the mountains. We drank in the most lush (40 shades of green) landscapes composed of trees, grass, peat bogs, fjords, lakes, rivers, castles, sheep, cathedrals.
The Kylemore castle/abbey is almost fairytale in its dreamy setting.
Next up was a stop at Lough Inagh Lodge for a hilarious and tasty lesson in making Irish coffee.
CLICK HERE to watch the video.
We experienced life where it had stood still for hundreds of years at the Cnoc Suain Heritage site. We tasted indigenous foods, listened to the lovely Irish language in poem and song. We learned to dance and listened to wonderful folk music by a local musician (I even got to play a tune with him!).
Photos / videos cannot begin to do the day justice. Your senses need to be bathed in the plethora of mesmerizing stimuli. The colors, contrasts, aromas, sounds and silences, flavors,
And the sheep. Lots of adorable sheep! (Factoid: there are 4 million people in Ireland and 8 million sheep.)
Still in awe of beautiful sunsets after 10:00 PM.
