Today we explored the beautiful Connemara region of Galway. Each day I think we have seen the most beautiful part of Ireland only to be awed by the next day’s sights. After about 1 ½ hour ride through Connemara, we arrived at Kylemore Abbey. Kylemore Castle, as it was originally known, was built as a private home for the family of Mitchell Henry who moved to Ireland from England. Construction began in 1867, and the 40,000 sq. ft. home was completed 4 years later. In 1920, the Irish Benedictine Nuns purchased the Abbey castle and lands after they were forced to flee Ypres, Belgium during World War I. The nuns continued to offer education to Catholic girls, opening an international boarding school and establishing a day school for local girls.
We explored the beautiful Victorian Walled Garden that are surrounded by majestic rocky mountains. Weather changed moment to moment between sunshine and clouds. We managed to never get rained on.
This is a view just outside of the gardens. Lavender Rhododendrons are in full bloom everywhere in Ireland. They are not a native species and are causing trouble because they choke out other plants. There is an effort to get rid of them; but this time of year, they are so beautiful. Even mountain hillsides have the hue of lavender Rhododendrons.
This ‘Miniature Cathedral’ in neo-Gothic style was built by Mitchel Henry in memory of his wife Margaret.
Our next adventure was a cruise on the Killary Fjord. We were served an delicious lunch including mussels. Here I am trying mussels for the very first time. Much to my surprise, I liked them.
There were many small waterfalls making their way down the mountain. The objects floating on the water are fish cages from the Killary Salmon Farm.
On deck we are with Sharon, our personal photographer, and here her mom Susan.
Below are our Grand Circle travelers as we disembark the boat.
Boglands are areas of peat bogs and make up 5% of the Irish landscape. Peat is a soil made up of partially decomposed remains of dead plants. Over thousands of years, these plants have accumulated on top of each other in waterlogged places. Over the centuries, poor drainage and the buildup of dead plants created layer upon layer of peat.
Starting in the 1700s, the raised bogs of Ireland were exploited as a source of cheap fuel. Most of this was cut by hand and laid in the sun to dry before being burned. At the time of the famine, peat (called 'turf' when cut) was often the only source of fuel available. Below is an example of turf being dried in little upright piles after it was cut.
Turf, considered a fossil fuel, is cut into 12” long x 5” thick pieces. As it dries, it shrinks and frequently twists.
The Connemara region was hard hit by the Potato Famine 1845-52. Below is an example of one of the many stone houses that were abandoned at that time and fell into disrepair in Clough Na Mara.
Tomorrow is our last full day in Ireland. We will explore Galway in the morning and then begin the job of packing for home.
No comments:
Post a Comment