How Are Things In Connemara?

Maybe two this week?

Day 4

An early up and off to the ferry for another fun filled Irish day, and what a day it was. The road to Connemara was filled with sights both natural and not, so in some ways, this was Ireland at its finest (including Ireland's wonderful road system, which makes most American roads look like a stroll through the park...)...

I was fairly drowsy until lunch, but I do recall green, rolling hills and quaint little lakes and sheep. Lots and lots of sheep. For gas, we stopped at what I can only describe as a back country Irish strip mall (not as bad as it sounds...). The craft store boasted some of the finest in Ireland so it was worth a stop just to satisfy our curiosity...

We were drawn to a huge statue of a man (turned out to be the Connemara Giant...) and at his base were the words, and I kid you not, 'The Connemara Giant, carved by the Connemara Craftsmen in 19XX, for no reason at all.' You gotta love the Irish sense of humor. This trip is shaping up just right. After a while in the gift shop (and a quick change of pants...), the Irish countryside awaited...

For lunch (for reals, this time...), we pulled over for a pastoral picnic amongst the largest Irish mountain range, the 12 Bens. These mountains reminded me of a cross between our Rockies and Appalachians; green like the east coast, but very treeless like most of the west. Very lovely indeed. Did I mention a butt load of wandering sheep? Cause there's a butt load...

After seeing signs for some sort of music workshop (perking my interest...), it seemed to be a worthwhile side trip. Rather than being an activity center, it was literally a workshop where instruments were made, specifically bo'hdrans (pronounced bow-run...). The salesman, who was surprisingly Texan with a Scottish partner (small world, no?). Long story short, I bought an Irish drum for my father as a Christmas gift (I hope he enjoys it...). I almost want one for me; they're pretty cool...

Cong Abbey was our next stop, which turned out to be ruins (pretty cool; America needs better ones...), a usable cemetery, and a pastoral, verdant back area. If weather had permitted, we'd have walked through the verdance. But Irish weather (such as it is...) persisted and drove us back to the car. In the rain, we pitched our tent and prayed. See you in the morning...

June 16, 2009
Nicholas C. Witte

As before, have some bonus pictures on the house (and yes, that is the Giant from the back...):