Day 13Had enough driving yesterday so after free range eggs breakfast (more flavor than regular eggs) we took a short drive down the coast to Spanish Point. I'm going to need to do a little research; it seems the Spanish Armada spent some time there - could have been when they tried to come to the defense of the Irish gentry, who was being forced out by the British. The Spaniards tried to fight the Brits whenever possible. Stay tuned.
Spanish point was beautiful - very much like he California coast. Spanish Point Golf Club looks like a nice links course. We actually located a picnic area, with views, and PICNIC TABLES! Yea! Had a ham cheese baguette chips and soda picnic and headed back north. There were some nice (smaller) homes, recently built, along the coast. They made you think hmmmm. They're still using coastal land to graze cattle here, I wonder how expensive they could be? Just like Big Sur, |
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Found Restaurant Barrtra and checkout the menu. Lots of seafood but the girls can eat there if they like steak, lamb shank or gnocchi. Nice setting in a formerly-private house. Distant water views.
Back up into Lahnich where we went into the Aquarium for Kristen. It was ok but a bit run down - kind of like a run down version of Jenkinson's in Point Pleasant. Saw one tank being fed.
Went across the street to the promenade and just sat and watched the beach. Kristen saw a girl she had seen last night on the playground at the Stone Cutter's Kitchen, and I spoke to her dad Jim from Philadelphia. Jim had married an Irish girl and moved here a couple of years ago. They were on vacation and he was getting ready to body surf. At least he had a wetsuit on. There were people in bikinis with the weather about 60 degrees.
Back up into Lahnich where we went into the Aquarium for Kristen. It was ok but a bit run down - kind of like a run down version of Jenkinson's in Point Pleasant. Saw one tank being fed.
Went across the street to the promenade and just sat and watched the beach. Kristen saw a girl she had seen last night on the playground at the Stone Cutter's Kitchen, and I spoke to her dad Jim from Philadelphia. Jim had married an Irish girl and moved here a couple of years ago. They were on vacation and he was getting ready to body surf. At least he had a wetsuit on. There were people in bikinis with the weather about 60 degrees.
Home for a short nap, then out for a late dinner at Vaughan's. The pub was nice and cozy, if not overly-friendly. Jill had country pie (like shepherd's pie, but with turnips & parsnips, and very good), Kristen had lasagna (also very good) and Dave had pork with real fresh vegetables (!), potatoes 3 ways (my mashed and boiled, and Kristen's fries). Also very good. With a soda, 2 wines and 2 Guinness, also very nicely priced at 45€.
We hung out and awaited the dance, which began at 10. 10 came and went, and nobody really moved. Finally about 10:30 , Jill and Kristen went outside and could see people already dancing in the adjacent barn. Oops! I guess the pub-goers skip the dance.
We hung out and awaited the dance, which began at 10. 10 came and went, and nobody really moved. Finally about 10:30 , Jill and Kristen went outside and could see people already dancing in the adjacent barn. Oops! I guess the pub-goers skip the dance.
Paid our 10€ admission for 3 and enjoyed the band and dancers for about and hour and a half. The band was 5 old guys, very serious and very precise. Accordion, fiddle, flute, drums and keyboard. I was disappointed there was no bodhran player. But they sounded good. There is no improvisation, etc, everything is played bar for bar with no sheet music. The band divides the music into the "Kinvarra Set", the "Connemara Set", the "Galway Set", etc. I'm not sure if the sets referred to the music or the dances. They take no breaks. I wanted to ask the accordion player about his case stickers that said "London", "Venice", "Ibiza", etc. but there was no opportunity.
The dancers knew every number by heart also and didn't miss a beat. It was essentially square dancing, but no caller to tell you what to do. You had to know. People kept going and going. The floor was worn in a circle where each group assembled (3 or 4 groups in all.) When it was time to go at 12 we had to wait for a dance to stop to get to the door.
The dance takes place in an old barn, formerly thatch-roofed, where it has since the 1800's. (1820?) They serve beer inside. The owner (Mr. Vaughan?) located the car who was blocking us in when we left - "Wait a sec., I know who that belongs to.", and sure enough a friendly guy came out 1 minute later.
One guy at the bar asked Jill if she was there to dance and she had to tell him no. About 10 seconds after we arrived. Jill still has the ability to turn heads; the guys in O'Shea's in Sneem were checking her out too. She also looks kind of exotic next to the Irish girls, which helps too.
Overall a fun evening, and no problems driving home.
Day 14 >>>
One guy at the bar asked Jill if she was there to dance and she had to tell him no. About 10 seconds after we arrived. Jill still has the ability to turn heads; the guys in O'Shea's in Sneem were checking her out too. She also looks kind of exotic next to the Irish girls, which helps too.
Overall a fun evening, and no problems driving home.
Day 14 >>>
