Day 5 New Ross to Doolin

I had a run up and down the lane first thing then we finished packing the car and started the long drive to Doolin after saying goodbye to Bertie the dog and the cat, who nearly got shut in the cottage.  Paul had seen it walk in while he was at the car but we couldnt find it.anywhere.  I then noticed that a little cupboard, where the ironing board was kept, was open.  The cat had come in and tried to open this just after we arrived on Saturday.  We looked inside and found it had made itself comfortable right at the back, practically out of sight.  

 
Bertie the dog

 
Cat, name unknown

 

It was a day of sunshine and showers and we were very lucky to be in the right places during the showers which were very heavy.

First stop was Tipperary.  It is a very small town completely taken over by streams of heavy traffic going through the centre.  Despite the song, it is not a tourist town although there were a few nice buildings.  We found a very good cafe where we had coffee and cake.

 
Wood carving in Tipperary

 
Statue in the town

 
One of the many references to the song

 
One of the many references to the song 

 
Looking from town to the countryside

 
Attractive music shop with usual wall mural

 
One of the many references to the song 

 
Distances to Tipperary

 
Arts Centre

 
Clock Tower

 

Not far from Tipperary, and the other end of the tourist scale, is Cashel.  The town is lovely to walk around and it is famous for "The Rock of Cashel" which is a rocky outcrop to the north of the town where a medieval castle was built.  

 
Ruin in Cashel

 
Ruin which is now a hotel

 
The tourist information centre and town square

 
Monument in the town square

 
Heritage Centre

 
Rock of Cashel

 
Rock of Cashel

 
Castle at Rock of Cashel

 
View from Rock of Cashel

 
Castle at Rock of Cashel

 
One of the well preserved rooms

 
View from the Rock of Cashel

 
Rock of Cashel and castle

We then made our way to Doolin, stopping at Ennis to get some shopping.  After settling into our accomodation we drove into Doolin which is almost all pubs and restaurants.  We found Gus O'Connells, which had been recommended and went in for a drink but ended up eating there as the meals looked really good - which they were.  We were very lucky to get a table as it was packed. Live traditional Irish music started at 9.00 with a small band playing from one of the tables.

 
Gus O'Connells pub

 
Gus O'Connells pub - my first and only half of guinness

 
Gus O'Connells pub 





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