Today's offering:  Am writing this in front of Joe's Cafe (9-6-13) Tonight--the book launch at the Falls Hotel.
 

September 5, 2013

Yesterday—continued: I set out over the Burren to Kinvarra where I hoped to find a cyber-café and the chance to get to my blog. I had forgotten the adventurous ride on the R480! Think ‘grand prix’ on a ridiculously narrow, curvy, hill-and-dale, two-way road. There was so much shifting down and up that I swear I heard Jim and Jan yelling, ‘Shift!’.  Anyway I bravely passed by the famous ancient spots, so well known to visitors, intent on reaching Kinvara and updating the blog.

But…the café, now called The Strawberry Hedgehog, had changed, with no computers. They had wi-fi, with a too weak signal. Interestingly, though, their security password was ‘Dougs’.  I forgot to get a pic of the restaurant, which sits at the cove, but did get the cove.  He was right.  After finding suitable parking, I wandered in and ordered coffee and scone in the lounge area and then set about to copy and download. Hope it worked!The owner suggested I might find success at the Merriman Hotel.

While still in Kinvara I drove the short way to Dungaire Castle,   His name escapes me.  (Another Google possibility) Pretty imposing, huh? 

                                                 The former home of the High King of Connaught.

Then on the way back to Lahinch, I made some of the most satisfying stops.  First it was the Farm Store at Ailwee Caves for cheese; then, the 5,000 year-old Poulnebrone,  The Burren (‘stony place’) is beautiful!  I can’t seem to get enough of it. While there, I met Thomas Coyne, monk/bard and Ogham jewelry maker.  Ogham (pronounced ‘Ohm’) is the language (Celtic?) that predates the Gaelic/Irish language Rain started up on the way back…no big deal.

And lastly, a quick snap from the car of Leamenagh Castle (spelling is probably wrong) a former O’Brien stronghold.

                                              













Another shot of the amazing portal tomb.

***

 Today, Thursday, I plan to spend time in town and go to the beach promenade.

…and so I did.

First, I had lunch at Lahinch’s Joe’s Café   

--a tasty spinach-zuchinni soup with brown bread--& found they had wi-fi, so plan to come back for a blog-stop. After lunch, it was a stroll down the promenade where the camera began to click on its own.It was eery J. What a grand spot to view the village, the Atlantic shoreline and even a jackdaw! Notice his gray hood and vest. The pics will show a bit of the magic of this place…I hope.  Weather was dry, cool and breezy.