They say the weather isn't always this good! -- Friday June 7, 2013

We sure are lucky!  They say the weather is not always this good, but the weather is fantastic!  We awake to another day full of sunshine and decide to see how our included breakfast is.

It too is FABULOUS!  This B & B is a winner.  None of our others will ever match up to it!

Map of Aran Islands

On the recommendation of our host, Susan, we decide to take a combo boat tour--Three hours to the smallest of the Aran Islands, called Inisheer, and then a cruise along the base of the Cliffs of Moher.  The boat was big enough to be smooth riding and sunny enough to be beautiful! 

Once we arrive on Inisheer, (also known as Inis Oirr), the smallest of the Aran islands, we are met with a lot of options for tours.  I choose the horse drawn cart driven by a true Irishman and Ed chose renting a bicycle.  Each
choice cost 10 pounds.  We plan to meet back in 2 hours for lunch.



Matilda with driver Liam

My driver, Liam, was born and raised on this island. The year round population on this island is 297.  There are two schools on the island:  one primary school with 25 students and 2 teachers and one secondary school with 20 students and 8 teachers.  I thought that was because secondary school kids were unruly.  Liam assured me it was because of all the different subjects that were being taught!  Irish is still today the daily language of the residents. In addition, many school pupils come to the island to learn Irish in an environment where it is a living language.  They only use English when the tourists come!

The island is an extension of The Burren. The terrain of the island is composed of limestone pavements with crisscrossing cracks known as "grikes", leaving isolated rocks called "clints".  There are rock walls criss crossing almost every inch of the island!  In order to prepare the island for pasturing for their anamals or to grow anything, they had to first break up the rock and had no place to put it....so they made rock walls all around sections of their property.  (Ed has lots more pictures of this rock wall weaving...you might ask for a private showing!)

Matilda was my horse on this trip!  She looked very bored!

On the next part of the trip, we headed to the Cliffs of Moher.  The Cliffs of Moher (Irish: Aillte an Mhothair)^[1] are located at the southwestern edge of the Burren region in County Clare, Ireland.^[2] They rise 120 metres (390 ft) above the Atlantic Ocean at Hag's Head, and reach their maximum height of 214 metres (702 ft) just north of O'Brien's Tower, eight kilometres to the north.^[3] The cliffs receive almost one million visitors a year.


Many of the cliff edges and outcroppings were covered with birds. Probably some Puffins, too, but I couldn't tell the difference.

As an added bonus when we docked back in Doolin, we were entertained by Daisy the Dolphin!  There were some boys in wet suits snorkeling in the water in that Bay.  Daisy came along and started 'playing' with them--going in and out of their arms!  Very sweet!  Daisy has apparently been here for many years since there are videos of her antics on You Tube!


McGann's Pub

We arrived home and decided to head out to McGann's Pub for
dinner.  Great atmosphere and food!  Instead of waiting for music to start (not till 9:30 pm!)  we decide to go for a sunset cruise.  Good choice...not as good as Cape Cod Bay...but good.  I miss the Cape!

Sunset off Doolin coast



(I am writing a few days behind due to Internet and picture transferring issues!  Very frustrating!  I am hoping to catch up in a few days before I forget where we've been!!!)