I woke first at 8 AM. The kids went to sleep about 6:30 last night, Sarah at 7 and me at 8. I was awakened twice, first by Tania dropping off the house key at 9:45 and then again by Fionnuala (2) at 10:45. She refused to let me take her out of her travel cot. So, Sarah went in to her and they were up until about 1:30 AM.
Driving into the Glen
At 9 AM, I woke everyone up (so we would be able to sleep on our normal pattern). After breakfast we stopped in Gleann Cholm Cille for a few supplies. Our first stop was the Lace House Information Center. I was hoping to walk in and buy an Ordnance Survey Map of the area and instead found that there was in fact little information to be had inside unless you wanted a map of An Turas (St. Colmcille's Stations). It was one table with some maps, a girl behind a table and otherwise a big empty room.
So, then we went into Byrne's Shop (in Cashel) where we got some buckets and spades plus some last minute picnic additions. I'm happy to say that I was waited on as Gaeilge by the young woman in the shop. Next we stopped into Oideas Gael where I purchased the OS Map and of course was served as Gaeilge. Two for two with Gaeilge services, but more importantly I kept up (it had been 7 years since I had spoken to someone in Irish).
Now stocked up, we headed for Narin/Portnoo. To get there we traveled through the amazing Glengesh Pass, which was as striking as always. The road however, is MUCH wider than it used to be taking away some of the excitement. The video below is of our decent into the pass.
Tramore at Narin, Inish Caol is in the right of the picture
The Blue Flag beach was beautiful as was the weather (21°C). We ate our picnic on the beach and then the kids had a blast playing in the sand and waves. All four of us left a little too pink!
Liam and Fionnuala prepare for sandcastles
Taking in the beach
Daddy with the two kids
Kilclooney Dolmen Centre Playground (pitch is in background)
From the beach we stopped at the Kilclooney Dolmen Centre where we were pleasantly surprised by a wonderful playground (there is also a football pitch). We ordered a pot of tea and two orange juices (kool-aid) and were served outside so that we could enjoy the drinks by the playground. After awhile we headed across the small bridge by the parking lot and followed the path across the road (next to the church).
If you look hard you can see the two dolmens in the upper right
It was a long walk for the children (at least 1/2 mile) and I went ahead as it looked like we wouldn't make it, but the children rallied and met me at the Dolmen.
In addition to the two dolmen there is a court tomb very near. The two dolmen are a few feet apart and appear to be alligned together. The larger tomb appears to be alligned with a mountaintop due east (seen below). This is consistent with the tombs found to the south in Malinmore.
The kids loved playing in the larger Dolmen! We stayed until my son had to use the restroom and then returned to the car.
A brief rest on the way to the dolmens
The two dolmens (portal tombs) at Kilclooney
The larger tomb
The smaller tomb
Children in the large tomb
This mountaintop is what you see from the large tomb
By this point the children were exhausted. We made a brief stop at the ATM in Ardara and Sarah was in love at first sight with the town. Fionnuala slept most of the way back to Teileann. By the time dinner was made and eaten it was time to get the kids ready for bed. Our first day was wonderful!
On the way home we came through Cill Charthaigh or Kilcar (home of the infamous "Stad sign Controversy). A holiday home owner complained that the signs were dangerous and should be replaced with stop. I'll let you decide for yourself...
Irish road signs outside of Cill Charthaigh
These signposts are next to the "Spaniard's Church". As the locals tell it, it was built in 1729 after a dying Spanish sailor was given last rites by the local priest. In gratitude the sailor gave the priest a pouch of gold to build the church. Near the church used to be a Mass Rock (a secret place of worship for Catholics during British occupation), it is possibly included in the wall of the reconstructed church.
The Spaniard's Church
Gaeilge experience: Good, was able to use Irish in two shops. Wish there was more opportunity. Little volume, but high comprehension.
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