Day 20 Clare Abbey and Dromore Woods

Clare Abbey

Dromore Woods

I had, what you would call in bus touring parlance, a relaxed start to the day today! I didn't wake up until 9 am. There was no Mass today, because I think there were a couple of funerals happening - certainly seemed to be a lot of cars at the Church in Ennistymon when I went through that village later.

So I took my time and did my walk by the sea. Tide was way out this morning. Nearly needed to walk to the US to get to the water!!!

Lahinch Beach this morning

Lahinch Beach this morning

Then I went to Val's coffee shop for my morning coffee - and that was my lucky break!

There's a lovely girl there who works as a waitress - Siobhan - and last time I was there, she was the one who directed me to the Holy Well at Kilmaley. So we started off talking about that, and how I actually had the wrong well!!! Anyway, she said she had been thinking about places I could go, and she asked me if I'd been to Dromore Wood.... to which I said no! So after chatting to her and hearing about it, it was immediately in my plans for the day. And what a bonus that was!!! 

It was just glorious.... but we'll get to that in a minute!

I had mentioned to Siobhan earlier that I would like to go to Clare Abbey - which is a set of ruins outside Ennis - so she helped me plan my day where I went to the Abbey first, then on to Dromore Woods.

So here's today's map

Dromore Woods is top right of blue road

Wikipedia once again tells us a little about this Abbey .

Clare Abbey, also known as Clareabbey, is a ruined Augustinian monastery located near the Town of Ennis, along the banks of the Fergus River, and about a mile north of Clarecastle in County Clare, Ireland. The Abbey, founded in 1189, was the largest and most important of the Augustinian monasteries in County Clare.

It was the largest and most important of the Augustinian Monasteries. 

Bishop Fintan Monahan has prepared an interesting video about Clare Abbey 

Clare Abbey

Clare Abbey

Clare Abbey

Clare Abbey

Sad tombstone

Some tombstones were very old

Apparently this monastery lost favour with the Chieftains, as once again Wikipedia points out...

In the thirteenth century, the two leading clans of County Clare, the O’Briens and the Macnamaras, changed their family burial places to Ennis Friary and Quin Abbey. Within a few years, most of the local chieftains had abandoned the Augustinian monasteries and the monastic buildings fell into disrepair."^[6]

It was interesting enough, but there were no signs with any history or telling its story.  And I was the only one there!!! Bit eerie sometimes!

Anyway, I loaded up my Google Maps again and we headed for Dromore Woods.

And it was perfectly splendid!! It reminded me of Sherwood forest where Robin Hood used to hangout as he hid from the Sheriff of Nottingham! In some places it was so dense that you couldn't see very far into it....

The green colours were just outstanding  - here s a few pics...

Dromore Woods

Dromore Woods

Dromore Woods Map

Dromore Woods

It  is situated on Dromore Lough and it was a magical setting..

Dromore Lough

Dromore Lough

I sat on this bench to eat my sandwich which I had brought with me

Dromore Woods Bench

It was just as well I brought something with me because the visitor's centre was closed. They only open on Sunday! Lucky they had a portaloo though!!! 😁

Dromore Woods Visitors' Centre

It was so still - and once again I was the only one there. I took a little video because all you could hear was the birds... Turn your sound up and see if you can hear them too...

So that was my lovely day in the Woods. If you would like to read more, click on the this link to the Dromore Visitors Centre

So I set off for home, chuffed with my day! I came home through Corofin and I was just thinking how clever I was to feel at home on this windey little road, and then....

A little light flashed on my dash board saying my front right tyre has low pressure and I should check it... eeeekkkkk..

So, here was I in the middle of nowhere on a windey road where you couldn't stop!  I eventually came to a place where I could pull in and I got out and had a look at the tyre. It didn't look too bad, but you could see it probably was a bit flatter than the others...

At this stage I was about 5 kms from the main road to Ennistymon, so I thought I would chance it and drive very slowly into Ennistymon. I made it safely and there was a petrol garage on the way in, and I asked them if they had a mechanic. They said no, but there was a place on the way out of Ennistymon, on the Lahinch Road, and he was not only a mechanic, but it was a tyre place as well....

The guy there was lovely. I took my car around the back and he checked all the tyres for me. It certainly was a bit lower, but he didn't seem too worried. He just said keep your eye on it for the next few days and see what happens. Then he re-set my dashboard, so that it didn't keep coming up again. And he didn't charge me !  

God bless the man in the garage.... He wouldn't let me take his photo!!!

But here's my car in his garage...

Tyre sorted

So it wouldn't be a real Wattle Wanderings without a few dramas. And I've been very lucky so far. I was  thinking of going to Galway tomorrow, but I'm not sure that I'm brave enough. It's an hour and a half journey and I would hate to get a flat whilst on the road. Might have to re-consider my options.

I'll have a look at the tyre in the morning and maybe go from there....

But thank you Jesus for getting  me home safely today!!!! 🙏

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Once again the evening held another highlight

Marie and I met for dinner at the Atlantic Hotel and it was our lucky night because the crowd came in and were celebrating Susie's 90th birthday.

Marie and Moira having dinner

And it was a hoot. They had some musos that played songs that I knew really well, and various people got up and sang as well.

Husband and wife musos

Marie introduced me to heaps of people, but the most famous one was Willie Daly - the Matchmaker from Lisdoonvarna! He calls himself the "last traditional matchmaker in Ireland!" Who knows what happens next!!!

Moira and Willie Daly

Marie and Willie Daly

It was the best night...

Moira and Marie

It was  real touch of Ireland and I loved it!!!