Sometime overnight the wind blew itself out. Our hiding spot in the Keel car-park ensured a quiet evening. Pam wants a leg stretch so we have a coffee and go for a walk.
Looking along the beach at Keel.
Back in the Hymer we drive back across Achill Island and rejoin the N59. The road is reasonable and we pass harvested peat piles for 20 kilometres. Following the WAW we turn onto the R313 and the Mullet Peninsula. Belmullet becomes a coffee stop.
Belmullet, Connacht, Ireland
The drizzle seems to be holding and we go for a walk. The market square in Belmullet.
Pam was a little obsessed with the derelict blue house across the way.
From Belmullet we continue on the WAW (N) to Ballycastle. Then turn for Downpatrick Head.
The road to Downpatrick has a green line down the middle.
No point asking this lot for directions.
Ballycastle, Connacht, Ireland
Spot the Hymer picture looking back to the parking area.
The headland has several blowholes and caves. This is a big one.
Legend has it that Saint Patrick failed to convert the local chieftain who lived on the headland. St.Patrick swung his staff and the land bridge collapsed separating the headland, forming a sea stack. The real story is the land bridged collapsed during a massive storm in 1393, killing several people and trapping several more on the new sea stack.
The ground is soft with peat on the headland.
Apparently the gap has widened as erosion continues.
EIRE 64 is marked in stone. This was done to help lost pilots ferrying planes during WWII. Most of the lighthouses we have visited have the same marking (different numbers)
After lunch we continue on the WAW. We stop for fuel in Killala spotting a magnificent round tower so we find a park and go for a walk.
The photo is straight, itโs the tower that has a lean. No wonder it was built as a watchtower in the 12th century. It adjoined a monastery (now lost).
Entrance through a door 3m above the ground, so bring your own ladder.
Notice the bulge half-way up. There is a corresponding depression on the other side. It was struck by lightning in 1840.
We pop into St. Maryโs as we are walking by…
Done with Killala we drive the last 12 kms to Ballina. I have the co-ordinates for a free stop on the River Moy in the centre of town.
Our parking spot is free after 6pm so we blow โฌ1.20 just to be legal.
Our view of the Moy in Ballina. The pedestrian bridge is a smaller version of the Harp Bridge in Dublin.
Date: 19th June 2019 Travelled: 141 kilometres from Fenit, County Kerry to Bunratty, County Clare Visited: Limerick, County Limerick Stayed: Bunratty Castle […]
Date: 8th June 2019 Travelled: 183 kilometres from Glendalough to Kilkenny Visited: Robertstown, County Kildare and the Grand Canal Stayed: Johnโs Green […]