Travelled:170km from Achill Island Co.Mayo to Killary Harbour Co.Galway
Visited: sights along Wild Atlantic Way
Stay: Killary Harbour carpark N53.6000 W9.7298
After a very ordinary night being rocked by gusty winds and pelted with rain we were amazed to wake up to a gentle breeze and sunshine!
We made our way to Keel Beach a 3.5km stretch of sand and popular spot for holidaymakers.
We continued a little further to a small harbour and had breakfast before having a stroll around reading the info panels and meeting another french couple in their motorhome (a keen fisherman).
So much history happening here.
Another bygone era.
Further still where the road ended, was Keem Strand, a lovely horseshoe bay.
From here we doubled back, headed off Achill Island and followed the WAW signs south. We had a quick look at Carraigahowley Castle - a tower that once belonged to the legendary pirate queen, Grace O’Malley.
We decided to stop in the quaint town of Newport and enjoyed lunch at a popular ‘kitchen’. Mark had a beef casserole and I couldn’t go past the Seafood Chowder.
Feeling fortified we drove through the busy shopping town of Westport.
Our next stop was at the foot of Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s sacred mountain, where Saint Patrick spent 40 days fasting and praying for Ireland. It is still a popular climb for pilgrims.
Rare glimpse of top without cloud.
We had a look at the National Famine Memorial, a sad reminder of those who died during the Great Famine between 1845-49.
We then walked down to the ruins of Murrisk Abbey which has been built in 1457 by Augustinian monks.
We drove out to Carronwniskey Strand, popular with surfers, but we decided not to stay.
Also popular for horse races.
The Doolough Valley offered spectacular views and when we stopped to have a look at the sign (another memorial to those who perished from hunger as the walked to get some help).
We were also joined by Pedro and Marie who we had met a couple of weeks ago, as well as another french motorhome couple.
After a catch up we continued on and admired the Ashleagh Waterfall but didn’t see any salmon jumping the rapids.
As the rain reduced our visibility we eventually reached Killary Harbour, Ireland’s only Fjord and called it a day.
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