Moher spectacular cliffs

Lamb wanting a feed at Rathbaun

Old pots outside turf shed

 Upon departing Galway, the tour headed off the beaten track to a little farm to get the experience of rural life in Ireland. A visit to the lovely little Rathbaun Farm of about 120 sheep, a dozen cattle, 2 horses and 1 dog with an income supplemented by hosting tourist coaches provided the entertainment for the morning. It was interesting to compare the experience and challenges to those of farmers in Australia – farmers the world over are struggling with some of the same issues – global markets, restriction of trade, increasing costs and diminishing returns. After some of the rich farming lands we headed to the Burrens in Connaught which in comparison were a moonscape almost with huge areas of exposed limestone covering the countryside. The area is some of the worst in Ireland for farming and is the place where Oliver Cromwell resettled Catholic farmers as he gave their farmlands in Northern Ireland to Protestant farmers after the Reformation. His catchcry to Irish Catholic farmers was apparently “To Hell or to Connaught” meaning they would either die or relocate. If they could have found a huge close by market for limestone they would have made a fortune. Unfortunately such a market was not at hand and so they had to drag seaweed up from the ocean over years and years to create pasture land. The people of the Burrens were almost as tough as those of the Aran Islands.

Stephen and Elizabeth at Cliffs of Moher

After lunch it was time to head to the Cliffs of Moher which has just been voted as the top cliff experience in Europe. Apparently the English are not happy and can’t believe that anything tops the Cliffs of Dover. We will be able to compare them for ourselves when we visit Dover next month but for Dover to be better they would have to be absolutely amazing. The sun wasn’t shining on the cliffs (we did manage to have a sunny minute at one stage later in the day) but at least it wasn’t raining. There was however a wee breeze blowing (something akin to a gale) and we thought that at one point even if you did fall the howling gale would hold you up and prevent you from reaching the water. We didn’t get to see any puffins (we really have not had a good run with Irish wildlife (no puffins, badgers, stoats, deers) much to Elizabeth’s disappointment but the views were simply breathtaking – well the views and the bitterly cold gale! Given the ‘call Lifeline equivalent posters in the toilets’ the Cliffs of Moher must be a popular place to end it all. Interesting that the assumption is that people will take time to go to the toilet before they head up to jump.

Cliffs of Moher

The evening meal at Bunratty Castle was a great fun medieval banquet with plenty of entertainment. It was a quick turn around time to get ready for the dinner which did cause some issues on our return to the hotel. Some advice for people who are on a tour staying in different hotels each night – photograph or record the room number somewhere because the numbers can start to blur. Either that or try your key in each room in the wing to find the right room. It does work when the little green light shows.

Love to all

S&E