Braden's friend Jordan, who just happened to be in Galway and contacted Braden, joined us for our day of touring. The weather was chilly but bright and breezy - perfect for touring. 

Making good use of the built in GPS in the car, we headed to Ennis on our way to Kilkee. The journey was pleasant and quick. We didn't see much of Kilkee itself, which looks like a wonderful summer destination, but headed to the parking lot for the cliffs. To our delight there was lots of available parking. Don't tell anyone about this wonderful place.

It's a bit of a walk before you are in sight of the sea but the crashing waves let us know we were exactly where we'd planned to be. While the three sets of younger legs headed up the hill with my missive to "go as far as you want and catch me on the way back", they headed higher. I found a large bench with a view of the sea and the crashing waves and had a lovely chat with a gentleman who was resting on his daily walk. He'd lived in the US but came back 10 years ago having had enough of bright lights and big city. Trading that for big sky and endlessly changing seascapes it seemed like the right decision. 

My conversation bench at Kilkee - can't see the crashing waves from where I took this but they are there below

I did walk part way up the cliffs and my shoes wanted to be in a picture so here you go.

Even my feet enjoyed the view at Kilkee Cliffs

It's good to see things from all points of view

The three from Stittsville in Kilkee

Then it was on to the Cliffs of Moher. The drive along the coast on the Wild Atlantic Way provided a couple of stops to see the view and marvel at the surfers in the waves below. One could say "the road is long, with many a winding turn" but then who could distinguish this road from any other in Ireland? Following the obvious signage to the Cliffs brought us in touch with hundreds of cars and thousands of tourists. That was quite the contrast to Kilkee. However, the cliffs are a impressive as ever. The walk up to O'Brien's tower is no easier than my other three visits. My three young companions climbed the tower for an even better view, while I made sure the pavement under my feet was kept in place.

O'Brien's tower at the Cliffs of Moher

Again they set off for a wander to the top and once again I found a bench. Why not? Someone has to use it. I had actually done a good bit of walking. They captured some fabulous photos - having a couple of great photographers. Jordan took a super one of Olivia and Braden at the height of their hike. 

Once back together we made individual "donations" to the local economy in the gift shop. 

From there with assistance from the co-pilots we wended our way behind a car pulling a horse trailer at, well lets just say a cursing-worthy slow pace, before we managed to get around. If I release the dash cam footage you will hear my descriptive language. But don't tell anyone. 

This being a tourist area, we also met a few large coaches head on and in each case I showed them Canadian hospitality by pulling way to the left (as far as I could) and let them pass. Absolutely every other Irish citizen gives you a little "finger wave from the steering wheel" when you show this courtesy. The coach drivers were unified in their surly grimaces and all fingers stayed glued to the wheel. Possibly it's just too terrifying to have a single digit off the wheel when driving one of these beasts. It seemed more like a case of "I'm Goliath and you are merely David and your slingshot is gone". Ta-da.

Our final destination for the day was the Dunguaire Castle at Kinvarra. Moments before rounding the bend that brought it into view, we passed the Merriman Hotel. What a magnificent building with a thatched roof. Traffic did not permit photos but I'm sure you are now so keen that you will call upon Google to show you what I mean. Never mind - here you go. Click the link.
https://www.merrimanhotel.com. 

Dunguaire Castle just before sunset

Then the castle, in all its glory, stood proud and INTACT before us.  It is vaguely reminiscent of Eilean Donan Castle in Scotland.

Finally a castle to explore. Hah! It closes the doors at 4:30. It was by now, 5:30. The yard is small but we checked out the crannies. The nooks were closed too. Photographer Jordan captured us on the steps to the front door that was not as welcoming as we'd found at every Irish home to date. Closed and locked and no cup of tea with the obligatory side of biscuits just waiting for us. Darn.

The owners must have been away

There was an interesting ruin of a house across the road so we pushed aside the ivy and explored the inner rooms. The kitchen was obvious, with part of what must have been a slightly more modern(?) stove, leaning against a wall, underneath a ledge with a pile of ashes in the original hearth. Very odd. 

Not sure how the front of an old stove is helpful

The last room we visited had a magnificent view of the castle so all photographers in our group - all of us - captured an image of the castle through that window. No need to clean the glass, it wasn't there.

And from across the road in a ruined house

you can never have enough pictures of castles

Back on the road to Galway, I enjoyed a few moments of blazing sun, either directly in my eyes or reflected off a poorly-placed (in my opinion) window or shiny large object. After all it was time for the sun to go down on Galway Bay. We didn't have a view of the Bay when it finally sank beneath the horizon, and neither was the sky red. I know that for a fact because it's raining this morning. It's supposed to stop soon.

In the evening I "enjoyed" watching the dash cam images upload to Dropbox - for hours, and hours, and .. well you get the point that it was slow. They are all uploaded now so I can clear the memory so the cam doesn't record over what we've got and can start fresh. 

While I was mesmerized by a computer that was too slow to use, and retired to my (very comfy) bedchamber, the young travellers went clubbing with Jordan and his friends who live here. I have no idea when they returned but their coats and boots attest to the fact they got safely home. They are now making "wake up" noises, so we shall ease into the day and set out for parts as yet unknown.