Day 10 The Burren

We went our separate ways today.  Steph, Chris, Vicky and Gary headed to Galway while we had a late start and drove around some of the sights of The Burren.  The Burren is an area around Doolin that is made up of limestone pavements, ridges and hills.

Our first stop was to Kilfenora where we went to look at the ruins of Kilfenora Cathedral where there are several well preserved high crosses.  This is where Dougal was driving the milk float in a Father Ted episode.

 
Kilfenora Cathedral and crosses

 
Kilfenora Cathedral and crosses 

 
Kilfenora Cathedral

Just down the road was a wet path to St Fachanan's Well set in a small park which has a butterfly and wetland garden.

 
St Fachanan's Well

 
Butterfly and Wetland Garden

 

A few miles away is the ruins of Leamaneagh Castle, a 17th century former mansion.  We coudnt get close but took photos from the road.

 
Leamaneagh Castle
 

Continuing along the Burren Way we stopped at Carron Church, which was a ruin but had several recent graves.

 
Carron Church

 
Carron Church

 
Carron Church grave

 

We had seen signs to The Burren perfumery so took a detour there but it was nothing more than a shop and the products were very expensive.  We did find a place nearby to have our lunch which overlooked some small lakes on the Burren.  

 
View from lunch stop near The Burren Perfumery

 

Our last couple of stops were at Cahermore Stone Fort but it was privately owned and only accessible with a tour guide or by going to watch a sheep dog demonstration.  The next was not for a couple of hours so we had a look around the shop and left.

 
Cahermore Stone Fort

 

Just down the road was Poulnabrone Dolmen, a portal tomb dating back to around 2000 - 2500 BC.

 
Poulnabrone Dolmen

 
Poulnabrone Dolmen

 

We drove through Ballyvaughan but it was very busy so we didnt stop.  We took the coast road back and managed to stop at Black Head, near the lighthouse to take photos but it was incredibly windy.  We moved down to another viewpoint further south and then headed back to our accommodation.

 
Black Head Lighthouse

 
View inland from Black Head Lighthouse

 
 
Coastal view on Wild Atlantic Way

We stayed in this evening.

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