Ireland itinerary - almost complete
May 17th, 2007, 01:48 AM
#21
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Hi XYZ and all!
This is a great thread and I just had to pop in and add my vote for McGann's stew along with Bit, although being the hearty woman that I am- I ate it all meself and it really was great!
Earlier in the thread- in regard to avoiding the crowd magnets (for the most part)- do you all have the same trouble that I have when I tell people I've been to Ireland- they are so dissapointed to hear that I didn't see (or buy) any Waterford Crystal and pat my back in sympathy that I have never kissed the Blarney stone. UGH!
Wojazz- if I may?
In regard to getting to Croagh Patrick...
If you are coming from Connemara, take the Doo Lough Pass (R335) after Killary Fjord, through Delphi to Louisburgh (beautiful and poignant)and onto the R335 toward Westport you won't miss it. It will be on the right (I believe it was about 7 or 8 miles after Louisburgh) and there are signs directing you to the car park.
Don't miss the famine monument across the street from the entrance as we unfortunately did.
As for Croagh Patrick itself it is 2,510ft. up- really up. If you don't have a walking stick you can rent one at the gift shop. I seem to recall reading that it is a 3.5 hour hike. (Just a wee stroll-LOL!) We did not do it- it was late afternoon after a long day and the clouds were rolling in so that we could not see the top. (Those are my reasons and I am sticking to them...really) Any portion of the walk is beautiful. (even the 1st 500 yards)
Dawn
This is a great thread and I just had to pop in and add my vote for McGann's stew along with Bit, although being the hearty woman that I am- I ate it all meself and it really was great!
Earlier in the thread- in regard to avoiding the crowd magnets (for the most part)- do you all have the same trouble that I have when I tell people I've been to Ireland- they are so dissapointed to hear that I didn't see (or buy) any Waterford Crystal and pat my back in sympathy that I have never kissed the Blarney stone. UGH!
Wojazz- if I may?
In regard to getting to Croagh Patrick...
If you are coming from Connemara, take the Doo Lough Pass (R335) after Killary Fjord, through Delphi to Louisburgh (beautiful and poignant)and onto the R335 toward Westport you won't miss it. It will be on the right (I believe it was about 7 or 8 miles after Louisburgh) and there are signs directing you to the car park.
Don't miss the famine monument across the street from the entrance as we unfortunately did.
As for Croagh Patrick itself it is 2,510ft. up- really up. If you don't have a walking stick you can rent one at the gift shop. I seem to recall reading that it is a 3.5 hour hike. (Just a wee stroll-LOL!) We did not do it- it was late afternoon after a long day and the clouds were rolling in so that we could not see the top. (Those are my reasons and I am sticking to them...really) Any portion of the walk is beautiful. (even the 1st 500 yards)
Dawn
May 17th, 2007, 10:16 AM
#22
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Dawn's got it. It is a strenuous hike, but if you really want to fit in, go barefoot. Croagh Patrick looks out over Clew Bay with 365(+) islands and is just up the road from Westport. I'll shut up about Westport because then you'll want to stay there too.
Bill
Bill
May 17th, 2007, 05:39 PM
#23
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12perfect days,
Not that I needed to be persuaded on the McGann's stew…and because DH will not want to share his, I’ll just have to sacrifice and get my own, right?
OMG, 3.5 hrs hike (I’m assuming this is one way) and 2500 ft up??? And barefoot??? Are you kidding? Well, too bad….I just know (don’t ask me how) that either the weather will not be good for the hike or we’ll get there too late to make it. We will be so disappointed.....but we’ll do our best, and do the first 500 yards or so…thought the view from the top sounds fantastic.
Now, really – is anyone doing the hike barefoot? Why? Is this some sort of pilgrimage place?
Wojazz, about Westport - I think we’ll go back to Ireland. We still have (at least) the Donegal area about which people on this board are raving.
Not that I needed to be persuaded on the McGann's stew…and because DH will not want to share his, I’ll just have to sacrifice and get my own, right?
OMG, 3.5 hrs hike (I’m assuming this is one way) and 2500 ft up??? And barefoot??? Are you kidding? Well, too bad….I just know (don’t ask me how) that either the weather will not be good for the hike or we’ll get there too late to make it. We will be so disappointed.....but we’ll do our best, and do the first 500 yards or so…thought the view from the top sounds fantastic.
Now, really – is anyone doing the hike barefoot? Why? Is this some sort of pilgrimage place?
Wojazz, about Westport - I think we’ll go back to Ireland. We still have (at least) the Donegal area about which people on this board are raving.
May 17th, 2007, 06:03 PM
#24
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I think that you will really like the Quay House. We were there 2 years ago and spent 3 nights at the Quay House. My very favorite place that we stayed the whole 2 weeks. The couple that run it are so much fun. You just want to move in with them. Clifden has a good restaurant with a pub 2 doors down the street with some great music.
You will have a wonderful time!
Theresa
You will have a wonderful time!
Theresa
May 18th, 2007, 01:24 AM
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xyz-
http://www.croagh-patrick.com/mountain.html
be sure to click on "need to know" as that also answers alot of questions.
Yes- Reek Sunday (Last Sunday in July) is a barefoot pilgrimage in honor of St. Patrick who fasted there for 40? days.
The walk is 3.5 hours total- 2 up and 1.5 down average. I ate the whole stew at McGann's- I imagine I'd still be there stuck in the middle somewhere!
We too are going back for a third visit. We loved Westport so much that we added an extra day, unfortunately- that turned Sligo into a one night stay. We found Sligo to be an amazing area that is much unappreciated by the tourist trade- the area left us breathless!
Wojazz- Said hello to Annette at the Shores from you and that put a big smile on her face! She is such a gem!
Will be starting my trip report soon but had to tell you- we did find Carrowkeel, per your great (and hilarious) trip report and made it all the way past the gate and to the sign that says 1KM dirt road to Carrowkeel- we were told by others that it is 1km to the next car park and turning point and then another 1km. beyond that to the sight. Unfortunately, we were in the midst of a storm whipping the rain horizontal and had to pass. I have saved your info and plan to go back!
Dawn
http://www.croagh-patrick.com/mountain.html
be sure to click on "need to know" as that also answers alot of questions.
Yes- Reek Sunday (Last Sunday in July) is a barefoot pilgrimage in honor of St. Patrick who fasted there for 40? days.
The walk is 3.5 hours total- 2 up and 1.5 down average. I ate the whole stew at McGann's- I imagine I'd still be there stuck in the middle somewhere!
We too are going back for a third visit. We loved Westport so much that we added an extra day, unfortunately- that turned Sligo into a one night stay. We found Sligo to be an amazing area that is much unappreciated by the tourist trade- the area left us breathless!
Wojazz- Said hello to Annette at the Shores from you and that put a big smile on her face! She is such a gem!
Will be starting my trip report soon but had to tell you- we did find Carrowkeel, per your great (and hilarious) trip report and made it all the way past the gate and to the sign that says 1KM dirt road to Carrowkeel- we were told by others that it is 1km to the next car park and turning point and then another 1km. beyond that to the sight. Unfortunately, we were in the midst of a storm whipping the rain horizontal and had to pass. I have saved your info and plan to go back!
Dawn
May 18th, 2007, 02:55 PM
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Theresa,
Thanks for the note on the Quay House, I was a little worried about it. How far is it from the restaurants and the pub? Hopefully walking distance…
Dawn,
Great Croagh Patrick link, thanks. And we are staying at the Shores, too – everybody here seems to love Annette, so we’re really excited. I know….we’ll have dinner there
Less than 3 months to go….
Thanks for the note on the Quay House, I was a little worried about it. How far is it from the restaurants and the pub? Hopefully walking distance…
Dawn,
Great Croagh Patrick link, thanks. And we are staying at the Shores, too – everybody here seems to love Annette, so we’re really excited. I know….we’ll have dinner there
Less than 3 months to go….
