IRELAND - DAY 3

After our 2nd full Irish breakfast, we headed west to Clifden in search of a castle we had heard about.

We circled around and around, unable to find it.

There was even a sign pointing towards the shore line for the castle, but still we were unable to find it!

I finally stopped at a small boat house and asked the men inside if we were in the right area.

"That's the only question people stumble in here to ask.", he told me.

"Just follow that walk path along the waters edge, then up through the fields, you can't miss it."

So, off we went.

It was a beautiful walk.

And he was right, as soon as we started up the fields, you couldn't miss it.

The thing he failed to mention though was that the field was occupied by cows....and a BULL!

I had gone on ahead of Hayden (as he was busy checking things out on the shore line and taking photos), and noticed the cows, but didn't notice that there was a bull among them. 

Hayden however noticed fairly soon, and was trying to get me to get on the other side of the barbed wire fence! The bull was actually the closest one to me.

After a few heart stopping moments, and some quick climbing, we were out of the field, and saw the nice 'Beware of Bull' sign on the other side. It would of been nice to of had that sign at the other end of the field too!

Now that we were safely on the other side of the fence, we explored the castle.

I could see why it was so hard for us to find in the beginning. There was no road leading to it, only reachably by foot. Such a beautiful view of the water though from where the castle stood.

I always like to imagine what it would of been like when it was built and lived in.

We found a way back avoiding the bull's field, and laughed about our adventure all the way back to the car!

Sheep on the road!

While driving on to our next destination, we got our only spout of rain while in Ireland...

We seriously had the BEST weather while there! It was just beautiful-couldn't of asked for more!

Many of the locals kept telling us "Lucky you, you came for our week of summer!"

By the time we arrived at Kylemore Abbey, the rain had passed.

Kylemore Abbey was a beautiful place with kind of a sad story.

Built by an Englishman who fell in love with the area on his honeymoon. They raised their family of 9 children here until while on holiday to Egypt his wife became ill and died.

He build this mini-cathedral in her memory, and had her brought home and buried her on the grounds.

He eventually couldn't live her anymore without her, and sold the property. It was eventually sold to some nuns, and became an abbey. They still occupy the abbey today.

We decided to take our time and drive up along the west coast.

The sun fully came out, and it was a gorgeous drive!

Got out to enjoy some of the views.

These photos were taken for Morgan.

Every time we saw a horse, we thought of her!

Here's our little rental car.

(And me mapping out our next drive)

That night we stayed in a wonderful country house that had been in their family for generations.

I kick myself for not taking a picture of the place!

We enjoyed our nightly walk around the property.

So very beautiful.

The evenings were so peaceful.

Three days in the country, and we've gone more than half way around the island!

This was a fast and furious trip!

There was just too much too see, in too little time!