Where we see tombs, ruins, and beaches

Oct 03, 2021

First stop of the day: Carrowkeel megalithic passage tombs. We had some fun getting there. Our navigation system led us up a road that was, technically, wider than our car. One side of the “road” was an unforgiving stone wall. The other side varied between a hillside and a ditch. We did not drive particularly fast on this road.

(From Kevin: What do you mean, “we”??)

The drive to Carrowkeel, County Sligo. This is a 2-way “road”.

At the end of 2km of narrow, winding, steep driving, we were greeted with … a farmhouse. What we had taken for a road turned out to be, essentially, a 2km-long driveway! Fortunately for us unsuspecting American tourists, the Irish are incredibly nice. A woman at the house saw us drive up and walked over to offer us parking in what turned out to be their carport.

After a chat with our hostess, we parked, and started up the hill. If you’ve been paying attention, you’ll already know that we walked by lots and lots of sheep. This girl was very interested in our movements and had a few comments to add.

The Irish people are really nice. The Irish sheep…not so much.

OTOH, the horses had better things to do than worry about us.

On the way up, we had a fun time playing “find the path”

Hiking to Carrowkeel, County Sligo (“It’s over here!” “No, it’s over here!”)

But we made it!

Carrowkeel passage tombs, County Sligo. Kevin wondering if any of them are available for purchase.

More tombs off in the distance. Of course we hiked over to them as well.

It was very windy on top.

12 seconds of wind and sheep on Carrowkeel

On the way home we stopped to visit an old priory. St. Mary’s was originally founded in 1507.

St. Mary’s Priory, Ballindoon, County Sligo

St. Mary’s Priory, Ballindoon, County Sligo. This is typical of the priories, abbeys, and friaries: No roof, but lots of graves. (Some of them ancient, some very recent.)

And then home for the day.

The next day, we started with a hearty breakfast out. My choice was an Irish version of avocado on toast. If you can’t tell from the picture, the avocado covers a layer of peanut butter. Yum.

(Comment from Kevin: Read that again. AVOCADO. AND PEANUT BUTTER. ON TOAST.)