Where we visit Strandhill

Last time we ventured north to County Donegal.

Next, on our last day in County Sligo (end of August 2021), we decided to visit Strandhill Beach. We headed out, stopping first at Hazelwood Forest for a lakeside walk.

Lough Gill, Hazelwood, County Sligo

Hazelwood forest, County Sligo

Kevin under a cool tree in Hazelwood Forest, County Sligo. (“Didn’t fall on me!”)

20 seconds of silence at Lough Gill, Hazelwood, County Sligo

After a lovely walk, our next stop was the Tobernalt Holy Well. There are many holy wells around. This is one of the more ornate ones we’ve seen.

Tobernalt Holy Well, County Sligo

Tobernalt Holy Well, County Sligo. “Holy” apparently does not guarantee “safe to drink”.

It does guarantee beautiful, though! Tobernalt Holy Well, County Sligo.

We’ve also seen a few “wishing trees,” which are Hawthorne trees from which people have hung various cloth items. Fairies and other wee folk live under Hawthorne trees, so it is considered extremely unlucky to cut them (the trees) down. People with illnesses, problems, or wishes tie cloth to the trees; as the cloth rots away, the problem or illness will disappear or the wish or hope will come true.

Face masks are a sign of the times. Wishing Tree, Tobernalt Holy Well, County Sligo.

And, then, on to Strandhill.

By then, we were hungry so we stopped for some lunch.

Having real pizza. Strandhill, County Sligo. Raise your hand if you get why this is a thing for me.

Another beautiful day. Strandhill Beach, County Sligo

20 seconds of the Atlantic, Strandhill, County Sligo

And of course, home to report the day’s events to Duncan.

Dibs on the sunny spot.

Next, onto County Galway!