Shamrock Diaries

Easy repair for a skilled man if you can find one. 😂
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Galway brings back some memories. In the 90s I used to go out there occasionally with work as well as places like Cork, Dublin and Belfast. Galway was my favourite though. Nobody will believe this but I used to jog round Galway Bay. It was more like a holiday going out there than work. There used to be a cool bar like an old Galleon ship I seem to remember. I had to get two flights to get there as well. Newcastle to Dublin, Dublin to Galway I think and the airport at Galway was basically one strip with a hut at the end. Might have changed now.
 
barryd said:
Galway brings back some memories. In the 90s I used to go out there occasionally with work as well as places like Cork, Dublin and Belfast. Galway was my favourite though. Nobody will believe this but I used to jog round Galway Bay. It was more like a holiday going out there than work. There used to be a cool bar like an old Galleon ship I seem to remember. I had to get two flights to get there as well. Newcastle to Dublin, Dublin to Galway I think and the airport at Galway was basically one strip with a hut at the end. Might have changed now.
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Yes airport bit bigger now .
Flew to the Aran islands from an airstrip near Galway (Spittal?) .
You and your bags are weighed and distributed accordingly
 
We only left the Mayo cottage yesterday. Headed off down to Galway city again and had a mooch about there.

It was heaving with people, very different to our visit last year on exactly the same day! 😳😵‍💫

Their international literature festival had only just finished on 26th April and they were gearing up for a brand new festival they have just created for 2026, Fleadh na Bealtaine (April 30 – May 4, 2026): A new festival focused on Celtic traditions, live music, street spectacles, storytelling, and local food.

Guess everyone was either staying on after the literature do with newcomers also arriving in town for this weekend’s May festival.

We scarpered late afternoon and headed towards County Clare and the Burren. Spent a quiet (free) overnight park up right on the coast near Corcomroe Abbey. Today coast road around the Burren and a scoot through Doolin.

Doolin was heaving with cars, coaches and tourists - a world away from my visit there on the Harley in the 1980s when Gus O’Connors pub was 99% locals and I spent an hour or more talking to old Micho Russell and hardly a foreign tourist in sight.

Drove through Lisdoonvarna (dead as a doornail, to be expected outside of the annual music show festival). Currently just south of the Cliffs of Moher staying overnight for free at a big car park behind the Rock Shop and Cafe, Derreen, Liscannor. May visit the cliffs tomorrow morning - €6 per senior citizen.

So far I think I am preferring Connemara, Mayo and Donegal. Too many tourists down here for my liking, and it’s not even the start of the main tourist season! (Jun, Jul, Aug) 😵‍💫😵😝

Jury’s out for the moment. Guess I’ll wait and see what Kerry and the South West has to offer 🤷‍♀️🫤

Heading towards a park up tomorrow night at a highly rated community motorhome aire with all facilities at Killadysert, €10 per night.

Irish rib eye steak for dinner tonight in the van! 😋👌🙃☘️
 
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Inland Burren is good and you'd love the unusual flora there

Avoid Killarney. Although Dingle peninsula is crowded it's worth it for what's there. It's quieter if you go over the Conor pass (preferably in the evening) and Brandon point is a stunning overnight spot.
 
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Stayed at an aire in Listowel last night. Nice Irish town, lots of decent bakeries/food 😋

Peaceful night, consumed some Murphy’s, early to bed.

Heading off for Tralee this afternoon then a scoot round Dingle peninsula tomorrow to look at the views. Ring of Kerry and environs after that 👍🤞

Carrigafoyle Castle just along the north Kerry coast from the Shannon ferry terminal at Tarbert.

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Parked up for the night on the Dingle Peninsula at a pub stop, Spillanes Pub. Busy as May Bank Holiday. Just eaten some delicious seafood chowder. But shock, horror! No Murphy’s!! 🤨😝

They have a sauna and sea swimming down some wide stone steps, might have a go in the morning … 😳🥶😂

Lovely view of Mount Brandon 👌

Will drive round Slea Head tomorrow (clockwise, I’m reliably informed! 😉😎)

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