Day 9 Poulnabrone
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| Poulnabrone |
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| Lahinch beach this morning |
It had rained quite heavily overnight, but it had calmed down by the morning. It was just on the edge of showers.
On my way back I continued to check out yet another coffee shop. This time it was Joe's... and it was a good one!!!
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| Joe's cafe |
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| Nice coffee |
BY the time I got home it was nearly 12 noon, so I was thinking about what I might do with the rest of the day. I had bookmarked a few places on Google Maps before I came. I was looking for somewhere not too far. So my choice was 30 minutes away - just right! It was called Poulnabrone
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| Map to Poulnabrone |
So I drove first to Ballyvaughan. I had my usual fight with the GPS. She was determined to get me on those back roads again, and this time I was more clued up and knew I wanted to go via the main road. But she was very persistent - with messages to continually turn right.... But I persisted and eventually overcame her! But it was a battle!
Ballyvaughan is lovely little village about half an hour North of Lahinch
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| Ballyvaughan Harbour |
Had a lovely bowl of soup and slice of soda bread at the Tea Rooms across the road from the Harbour
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| Ballyvaughan Tea Rooms |
Poulnabrone is a very ancient tomb that is made of rocks - as usual we wonder how they ever put them together in that fashion.
Wikipedia gives a short synopsis of it..
Poulnabrone dolmen (Poll na Brón in Irish[2]) is an unusually large dolmen or portal tomb located in the Burren, County Clare, Ireland. Situated on one of the most desolate and highest points of the region, it comprises three standing portal stones supporting a heavy horizontal capstone, and dates to the Neolithic period, probably between 4200 BC and 2900 BC. It is the best known and most widely photographed of the approximately 172 dolmens in Ireland.
Here's more information from the official site
It was about 10 minutes south of Ballyvaughan and it was relatively easy to get to. It was just a bit tricky to find it at the end, because it was not highly signposted. According to Wikipedia they are discouraging people from visiting it, because of the possible damage that could be done.
A car park was available followed by a short walk. I had to be careful because the ground was quite uneven, and I'm not all that steady on my legs sometimes, but I was very cautious.
Here's a few pics that might show it to you..
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| Poulnabrone |
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| Poulnabrone |
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| Poulnabrone |
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| Poulnabrone |
Here are a some information boards that were dotted around the paths
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| Poulnabrone Info |
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| Poulnabrone Info |
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| Poulnabrone Info |
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| Poulnabrone Info |
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| Poulnabrone Info |
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| Poulnabrone Info |
I was lucky on two counts when I got there...
1. I arrived there between showers, so I was able to see it all without getting wet.
2. Just after I had finished all I had to do and was heading back to the car, a big bus full of tourists pulled up!! The guy who took my photo and I looked at each other and said - that was perfect timing!!! Like at the Cliffs of Moher there were thousands of ants!!!!
So when i had finished, I headed back to Ballyvaughan so I could take the coast road home.
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| Coast Road from Ballyvaughan to Lahinch |
I just love this road. It hugs the coast the whole way. It started off with quite heavy rain, then almost mist. Sometimes it was hard to see the sea... I stopped along the way to take a pic of the misty view
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| Misty Sea |
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| Lahinch Beach this afternoon. Tide is in |
And of course I walked home along the beach and though how lucky I am!
Another great day, guess you couldn’t try and get through the stones, never mind. I think should write and publish a travel guide, your blogs are so interesting and entertaining. Cheers Colleen
ReplyDeleteThanks Col. I enjoy writing up each day... helps me remember later where I went. We weren't allowed past the rope around the stones. I guess that's fair enough as they try to preserve them But they looked fantastic up close, and they're so old. Can't believe how they got that big one on the top in ancient days.
DeleteSounds and looks fantastic Moira. Glad you are really settling in - you'll soon be treated as a local. Not missing much in Sydney... very cold snap of weather - down to 3c in some places - Mugee was -2 Sunday night. Big waves off Sydney - 30ft+.
ReplyDeleteKeep the news rolling in. Keep warm, keep safe, keep drinking the Smithwicks!!
Hey Andrew.. I think you're my only Sydney correspondent!! I've heard there's been some wild weather on the east coast! Those waves sound extraordinary. Would love to see the ocean here get really wild!!! I'm really enjoying my smithwicks each day. I'm using it as an excuse to try a different pub each day 😁 Haven't run out of pubs yet... there are still more to try!! I'll do my best!! 🤣🤣
DeleteEach morning I grab my coffee and excitedly read your fabulous blog. Loved the Poulnabrone info and well done on missing the ‘tourists’. Also thank God you have found decent coffee shops. There is never any need for bad coffee, but we all know it can happen. Are you using a camera or your phone for photos? ❤️ Meggsie
ReplyDeleteGood coffee is always an excellent start to the day!! Glad you are enjoying Meggsie. Yes I'm just a happy snapper with my camera. Point and shoot and hope for the best. 😁
DeleteMrsT here: I reckon you'll soon be as good as a local and know everyone in Lahinch given your regular attendance at the local church. Do the Prayers of the Faithful mention everyone each time? Poulnabrone is fascinating, I have never heard of it before. You sound at peace my friend xx
ReplyDeleteFr Willie is a lot quicker than Fr Des. I think Des used to mention everyone in the village! But it's always nice to know we're prayed for. I only came across Poulnabrone on Facebook. I follow a few Irish sites and I thought it looked interesting. But it's not very well known for sure.
DeleteAnne G. Thanks for the the Poulnabrone info and you took some fabulous pics of the stones - amazing 👍🏼.
ReplyDeleteI love that you mention the coastal driving and the sea. Is it still fairly easy driving (apart from tourist busses). Many other cars?
Bit lucky with my pics... I just point and shoot wh my camera. Driving is mostly ok except when you come across a tourist bus on those little one way roads with the stone fences!! Have to breathe in a bit!!! But they drive in the left over here so it's what we're used to. I don't mind driving in Ireland. 🇮🇪☘️
Deletefantastic ancient history!! If you pass through Doolin again, you should drop into Gus O'Connor's pub (a relation perhaps?!), where there is good music at night! Margx
ReplyDeleteThanks Marg. Yes I just love the driving the Wild Atlantic Way. I've done it a few times on previous trips around Ireland, but I never tire of it. Love to do some music here, but the sessions don't start until 9.30pm. I'm almost in bed by then! Will have to make an exception one night!!
DeleteHa ha, loved that last comment Moira. You'll have to put your big girl pants on and stay up late one night to enjoy the music. It will certainly wake you up if you're feeling sleepy. Doolin is well known for it as is a lot of the west country. I am certainly envious. Enjoy and stay safe. ANNE B
ReplyDeleteHaha... yes I might have to get brave.. They do have it in Lahinch too. Might have to have a little explore. 😊🎵🎶
ReplyDeleteHi Moira. Your daily blogs are so interesting and paint a wonderful picture of your daily wandering! It has been cold and wet here in Melbourne, much like Lahinch! Continue to take care and stay safe, Annette.
ReplyDeleteThanks Annette. So glad you are enjoying! The weather here is a bit like Melbourne.. it seems to change continuously throughout the day. Beautiful sunshine today... may it continue 🙏 xx
DeleteHi Moira, your experiencing enjoyable days - wandering, chatting with people, hanging out with your family- getting all the history, washing machine conundrums, exploring the interesting sites! All so good, cheers, marian morris
ReplyDeleteOnya Marian. Yeah it's all happening!!! Glad you are joining in the story 😁
ReplyDelete