Day 27 Doolin

Doolin

After all the history and heartbreak of yesterday's post, I thought we would revert to the Lahinch travel guide again today and recount my trip to Doolin.

Map of Lahinch to Doolin

It was only a quick little jaunt and the weather was absolutely magnificent. I have been so lucky with this weather. I was talking to Sean this morning and he said May was the best month to come to Ireland - usually pretty sunny and longer days. And I trust his farming weather instincts. I was just lucky that I chose May, because the travel agent warned me it would be dearer around April because of Easter.

Anyway, I cruised up to Doolin after lunch yesterday. And it's a pretty little town. I usually approach it from the North as I come down from Ballyvaughan, but today I came in from the South and it looked different somehow. But the town was hopping and everyone was out in their shirt sleeves. There are a few parts to Doolin. Even the village seems to be in two parts and then there's Doolin Pier.

The picture at the top of this page is where you come into town. Then if you go on a bit further you come to a different part of Doolin. I had a coffee in these tea rooms.

Doolin Cafe

Doolin Pub flying the Clare flags

But the Pier part of Doolin was really humming. I couldn't stop to get a picture, because there were absolutely no parking places. It seemed to be full of quaint little shops and people were just wandering around eating ice creams etc..

But when you got to the actual Pier, there was a car park, as that is the ferry terminal to take you across to the Aran Islands

Aran Island in the background

The sea looked nice and calm, but you still wouldn't catch me going on the ferry. Pity, because I've seen shows about them and they look fantastic!

But the bay around Doolin looked just lovely. You could see the other side of the Cliffs of Moher from Doolin.

View from Doolin

On the way home I side-tracked to another beach that lies between Doolin and Lahinch, called Clahane.

It was a lovely little beach but nothing special, but when I was telling Marie, she informed me that Clahane was the beach to be seen at! You didn't just go swimming, you went swimming at Clahane!!!

Here's a few pics.... Not nearly as nice as Lahinch Beach!

Clahane houses

Me at Clahane Beach

Clahane Beach with Cliffs of Moher in the background

So that was yesterday...

This morning I was quite busy..

I went up to Marie's to do my washing for the last time. It's such a beautiful sunny day I put them on the line and then I will return this evening to pick them up. Marie and Pat have gone to a wedding at the Falls Hotel in Ennistymon so Marie was off work today.

Then I went to Mass - probably my last weekday Mass here in Lahinch. I said goodbye to Andy, a dear old 93 year old man who used to be a Vet and who always said Good Morning to me and had a little chat.

Then I went back up see Nora and say goodbye to Sean and herself. They have been so hospitable and put up with me asking all those questions about out family and its history. Nora gave me a St Brigid's Cross that Sean had made and some perfume and and lovely gold chain. I shall always remember her when I wear it.

Marie also gave me a St Brigid's Cross so I will put them both in special places in my house. 

I have found my Irish family to be so generous, but the greatest gift they have given me is to accept me into the family and treat me as one of them.

On the way home from Tullygarvan I stopped down near Cregge Beach and took some photos of Moy House - where Smother was filmed. The house really stands out. It's quite close to Marie's place and you can see it as you drive down the road back to Lahinch. And the beach below it often featured in the series as well. 

Thanks to those who let me know that Series 3 of Smother is just starting on the ABC now and we can watch it on iView. I'll get on to that when I get home!

Here's a few pics I took this morning

Moy House

Look at all the daffodils!

Cregge Beach

Cregge Beach - looking towards Lahinch

So that was my exciting day. Sadly I'm going to have to start packing soon as I leave here on Sunday morning. It's been such a wonderful experience for me to really enter into the life of a village in another country. Although, it is really not that alien. I was thinking this morning, that a lot of what life is like here in Lahinch reminds me of my own childhood and I feel very comfortable in this environment. 

The Church, in particular, just reminds me so much of my Parish at Wattle Park in Melbourne, and even the way that the priests say the Mass just brings back memories of days gone by.

It's been a very comfortable place to be... and I've loved every minute of it.

And now I'm off to get my washing!!! 😁