Ireland - Downpatrick Head and Connemara

Dun Briste Sea Stack

Day 3 was a long drive from Portstewart to Connemara with a planned detour to Downpatrick Head.  Drive time alone would be 6 hours without stopping. We didn't realise that 3 June was a bank holiday and had some difficulty getting lunch. Eventually we resorted to sandwiches and wraps from Tescos.

Downpatrick Head

The journey  to Downpatrick Head reminded me of our drive to Mont Saint Michel last December. We drove through some small roads which made me wonder if I was going the right way. But it was well worth the drive. As you walk towards the cliffs, you will see tassellated pavements along the shore. This place would be a golfer's nightmare because the grass grows in clumps. On the way up you will see a statue of St Patrick, who established a church here, hence the name of this place. When you get close to the edge of the cliff, you will see Dun Briste, a majestic sea stack. Simply stunning. 

We arrived at Leenane Hotel

 Room view of Killary Harbour

at around around 5pm. It is Ireland's oldest coaching inn and is located next to Killary Harbour, which is not harbour at all but a fjord. We had a lovely view of the fjord from our room.

Kylemore Abbey

On Day 4 we visited Kylemore Abbey, a huge estate which included a neo-Gothic cathedral and a Victorian walled garden. After breakfast at the lovely cafe, we headed to Diamond Hill to hike up the moderate trail. The heavy downpour left us soaking wet. The view would have been a lot prettier on a clear day.

View from Diamond Hill

Our drive back to the hotel passed through some of the most picturisque parts of Connemara National Park. I spotted a sign for Ballynahinch which reminded me of an article I read about the hotel. It prompted me to make a reservation there for dinner later that evening. It gave us the opportunity to drive through the amazing landscape again and dinner at the Ranji Room was well worth the effort.

Picturisque Connemara

This is a short holiday and we were already more than half way through. Next stop is the Cliffs of Moher and the Ring of Kerry.

Ballynahinch