2001: Irish Craic

Sunday 22nd September 2021 

Having filled our tanks we drove to the other side of Ireland.  It wasn’t the plan … that had been to do a trip down memory lane for J, going to places he’s lived.  But all good plans are sooo apt to change.  We drove over to Clarinbridge … family home of Shane.  Both bride and groom were staying there for a few days and Shanes Parent’s hosted a BBQ for friends and family.  Needless to say the booze and chat flowed … amazing hospitality. A guitar was presented to the chap who’d played at the wedding service and Tom, Shane’s father, got his accordion out.  Even James sang a little song!  Whilst we’d been given a lift to the house, we opted to walk with CO2 back the 1.5km to where Jez was parked.  We were loaned high vis and weaved our way back!  Amazing stars.  Craicing night.

Lunch from a new motorway service station …  my munchy crunchy burrito …  j ordered chicken and chips and was given the wrong order … lots of soggy chips … YUK!

Our pitch close to water at the Clarinbridge pub.

2002: Quin & Stop 1 Along the Shannon

Monday 23rd & Tuesday 24th September 2021 

A slow start day!  We decided since we were over on the west, it made sense to follow the Shannon (longest UK river) back to its source.  But on the way to the Shannon, we stopped off at a small town called Quin … source of the Clunes in Ireland.  Originally from France, a lot settled here.

Lunch in the Quin pub that was just opening.  OMG … I had the fish platter … it was just superb.  It was full of locals having their one meal of the day … huge portions and really reasonable prices … no wonder it was busy.

Quin Abbey.

J beside some Clune graves … some old and newer so Clunes still reside in Quin.  A lot of James and Catherine Clunes … oh dear!

Quin Abbey:  walls still standing.

We decided to not to explore Limerick city.  Tried to see the massive original Irish hydro electric power station on the way, but it was currently closed to visitors.  But we did see the dams further up stream at O’Briansbridge.  I walked upstream upon arrival and the next morning we both walked downstream.

Walks in either direction.

Walking up stream to the dam.

Canal and Shannon both converge.

Pitch perfect.

Local children had contributed to this Fairy Glen … said it before, but will say it again … In England I suspect this would have been vandalised.  

One of the hump backed …. bridges, not James!  Built over tributary streams for the horses.

2003: Killaloe and Ballina

Tuesday 24th September 2021

A very SHORT drive up river to Ballina … a free carpark by a very busy open air pool. Whilst J rested, I walked the Tourist Trail.  Late afternoon we crossed over the bridge to Killaloe church … cant remember why the cross was special, but it was!  For such a tourist place, a dearth on Logh Derg (!) of places to eat … all fully booked, so back to the van for home cooked supper.  And look at that sky … it was super warm.  Shame it hadn’t been like this the day of the wedding.

Looking across to Killaloe Church.

Ancient bridge … the metal work in front of it was for fishing.  Lovely mellow hills all along our route.

A railway was extended to service guests at a hotel on the banks of Lough Derg.  Local washer women staged a protest … unusual in those times.  They lay on the train track until a bridge over the line was built.

Killaoe Church and Cross.

In the absence of a meal out, we had this for pud.  Forgotten how good they are.  Ice cream and chocolate … what’s not to like?