Sharon and Jaya's 2003 Trip to Ireland - Day 8

Friday, April 25, 2003

We drove down to Rosaveel (Ros a'Mhil)―about a 30 minute drive, and stopped in a parking lot for the ferry. I think it cost €3 to park for the day. We walked over to where the ferry was, and presently were able to board. There were seats up top but it was kind of cold and overcast, so I thought down below would be better. It was like a huge airplane―or theater―seats in 3 sections, the middle section many seats across.

The trip across to the islands started out rough but cleared up as the sun broke through the clouds. Looked like it was not going to be a miserable day on the Aran Islands.

We landed on Inis Mór, the largest of the three Aran Islands, is the most developed in terms of tourist facilities. There are about 900 inhabitants on this island, only 2 or 3 hundred on the other two islands.

We were met by a jaunting cart driver who convinced us to take a ride out to the cliffs on his cart. He was friendly, and even though it cost most of the money I had brought with me, we decided to do it!

Looks like Jaya got a hold of the camera, here is a picture of Sharon.

After a nice leisurely jaunting cart ride to the Dun Aonghasa Visitor Centre and shops we walked up the hill to see the old fort built on the cliffs (only need to defend 3 sides).

Boy, this is nothing like America; no fence or wall of rope or warning signs to keep idiots from walking off the cliff. And you know, everybody was very, very careful without having to be told by their lawyer that dropping to your death may leave your loved ones in a very actionable position.

After the quiet cart ride back to town we checked out the local super market. It was different, odd types of food but Jaya really liked that they had 1 gal. jars of mayonaise (mayo info). (no mayo info). I bought some tea.

We had hot cocoa and light lunch at a pub. Soon after sitting down we realized that the traditional Irish music was not a recording but was coming from upstairs along with hoots and applause. We told the bar maid to bring the soup to us up there. Turned out to be a bus full of French tourists eating, drinking and enjoying the music and dance. Four local ladies were doing the traditional dances for the tourists, 2 in dresses and 2 in slacks. Ask Jaya what he told me and how I embarassed myself when the music had stopped.

Uneventful trip back to the next B&B. However, I wanted to stop to do headstone traces and Jaya was to crabby to go back to the cemetery I spotted off the road. Anyway, the place we stayed is the same place Chelsea Clinton stayed when she was in Galway. Jaya gets a kick out of telling people, Sharon got layed in Chelsea Clinton's bed. We slept good that night, safe and secure :)

Continued on Day 9.

Sharon and Jaya's 2003 Trip to Ireland