Day 4 - Southwest Ireland

Good evening!  It is 11PM here in Galway, Ireland and we are calling it a night. 

We had a fabulous day.  We started our morning off with a visit to Cork's English Market.  We have made the habit of visiting many markets throughout the world, we couldn't miss this one.  When we were in Barcelona last May, we visited their famous "Boqueria."  We loved it so much for its authenticity and wide variety of offerings.  We didn't think any market could top the Boqueria.  However we learned today that Cork's English Market is the oldest of its kind.  The people of Cork have been trading here since 1788, which pre-dates Barcelona by almost 80 years!  This market has survived famine, revolution, wares, fire, and economic decline.  The market offers a variety of exotic fruits,vegetables and meats, dried and fresh flowers, chocolates and fudge, and cheese!  The market has an upper level, which has two cafe's. We ate breakfast at one of the cafe's, the Farmstand Cafe, where we ate fresh farm eggs, oatmeal with Irish cream and honey, and fresh squeezed orange juice.  

After leaving the English Market, we made the 2.5 hour trek up to the Cliffs of Moher.  You can see from the picture on the left, the roads were not very wide.  The picture below it shows you how we felt!    LOL!

The Cliffs of Moher is one of Ireland's most visited natural spots.  The Cliffs rise to 700 feet at the highest point and range for 5 miles over the Atlantic ocean on the western seaboard of County Clare.  The Cliffs of Moher were formed 320 million years ago during a time called the "Upper Carboniferous."  This is a time when the climate was warmer and the area was situated at the mouth of a river.  As the river flowed west it left mud and sand that settled and formed the rock you see today.  It's really amazing to think of how long it took to form this natural beauty!  The Cliffs are also known for hosting seabirds; including Puffins, Kittiwakes, Coughs and Falcons.  Unfortunately we were were not privy to see the Coughs.  They are a rare species of Celtic crow that nest below the sandstone ledge of the Cliffs.  


After the Cliffs, we drove towards Galway.  We went through several small towns, trying to decide where we wanted to stop for an early dinner.  We drove through Lisdoonvarna, which is famous for its month long, September "matchmaking" festival!  "Once a year this sleepy little spa town on the west coast of Ireland awakens to the hum of romance."  Matchmaking is an old tradition here, which for generations gathered families from miles around after their crops had been harvested. This festival has gained international recognition as the largest singles event in the world!  

After driving through the festival, we stopped in New Quay, which is along the N67, at Linnanes.  Linnane's sat right on the bay and after we left, we found out that this pub in this little fishing village has been awarded reviews from food critics from Ireland and abroad!  I can see why.  We snacked on the Mussells Provencale, Seafood Chowder, and Vegetarian Pesto Soup....delicious!  The location is beautiful, the restaurant overlooks New Quay Pier and the waters of an inlet of Galway Bay. When we first arrived the water was low and the flowage was non-existent.  Just as we were leaving, we watched the water flow back into the bay and literally raise the restaurants dock by several feet.  We loved this small little restaurant, it was the perfect place to stop and rest before driving the remaining 30 miles to Galway!


We arrived Galway around 7PM, where we took it easy and enjoyed a glass of wine before heading to bed.          Tomorrow will be a fun and relaxing day, shopping around Galway, enjoying the food, and taking a boat ride along the bay!


Till tomorrow.  XOXOXO
J&J (and J)  =)