OAT trip begins in Shannon, Ireland on May 5, 2019

After missing our connecting flight from Heathrow Airport in London, we arrived in Shannon, Ireland and at the hotel close to midnight.  From that point on, the activities and fun started in earnest on May 6.  This blog is still being prepared with pictures and videos (click on the two arrows to view).  Unless you have high speed and RAM on your computer, the videos below (but not images) may be slow or impossible to view and for that I apologize.

Arrive County Clare, Ireland -Begin Trip with Rowan O'Reilly, Shannon, Ireland

Brief stop at local shrine for Saint Bernadette

Drive to 300 million years old Cliffs of Moher

Cliffs of Moher

Lunch at McDermott's pub in Doolin

Bunef Nat'l Park- the burn limestone rich landscape

Return to hotel in Ennis

Temple Gate Hotel

Evening entertainment by the 3 sisters:



May 7

Ferry to Aran Islands (Inis Oirr and its Gaelic speaking residents and Celtic customs)

Sunken Church dating from 1100

Rowan and I hiked up hill to view castle

Rowan and his chocolate stop

Ferry returning and cruising Cliffs of Moher

Temple Gate Hotel

Museum next to hotel

  Home hosted dinner and Johnnie entertaining David, Mary, Marilyn and Chuck:

Johnnie and his dancing shoe

Seaweed high in iodine

David's Birthday 

May 8 -Gaelic Games

Drive to Connemara to visit Liam Meadow Galic Athletic Association to learn about, practice and play hurling ball with lunch afterwards in clubhouse.

Drive to Clifden on west coast of Ireland for walk around town and visit Galway museum

Galway Bay and van view video:

                               

Galway Museum

Lynch (as in lynching) Family Building and Gardens

View from our hotel room at Clifden Station House Hotel in Galway

May 9

Travel for Connenara and Killney Sheep Farms Videos:

beautiful view looking toward ranch house

The following videos show Tom, the 4th generation owner, and his trained sheep dog Suzie:

Baby bottle feeding of 15 hungary, sucking baby lambs

Galway Bay Overview Video:

Kylemore Abbey built in the 1800's and eventually donated to Benedictine nuns in 1920's

May 10 
Sligo and Drumcliff to Donegal amid green hills and sunny blue sky

Lunch in local Pub

Light lunch of Potato Soup, bread and local brew

Jean and Joan having lunch in same old pub

Old Abbey being restored

Sligo River

Yates Society Building

Yates grave site at village of Drumcliff

Father Jonathan:

MAY 11 
WEAVING DEMONSTRATION AND KILLYBEGS

Some weaving demonstration clips by Cyndi in her traditional Irish cottage:

Stop for lunch in coastal town of Killybegs and discussion with Neely, a retired fisherman:

Fish (haddock) and Chips for lunch

Neely and Marilyn

Stop off at Donegal Castle (of O'Donnels 1200-1637)

Mill Park Hotel

May 12
Optional Glenveagh Nat'l Park Tour

Castle Gardens

Glenariff Forest Park Nature Hike

Dinner at Castle Bar Restaurant across street from Donegal Castle in downtown Donegal

Church next to restaurant

May 13 - Derry, Northern Ireland:

  Derry walls were built in 1619 and still standing as described by Ryan:

                                

Tower Museum and history of Derry

May 14 - Derry, The Antrim Coast

Giant's Causeway

Dinner at Granny"s, 2 blocks from hotel

Maldron Hotel

May 15

Surprise stop at Bushmill Distillery:

Glenariff Forest Park hike after lunch at Laragh Lodge:

800 yo Carrickfergus Castle

May 16 -Belfast 
Morning tour in London style black cab tour of west Belfast

Following car tour a frank discussion of violence, bloodshed and aftermath in Belfast by 3 guest speakers:

Ulster Museum

A time line (link) into the Irish Potato Famine (click on link below to view article):

https://www.ranker.com/list/irish-potato-famine-timeline/quinn-armstrong?format=slideshow&slide=1&utm_source=outbrain&utm_medium=ob&utm_campaign=ob-d-facts-about-the-irish-potato-famine&utm_term=The+Daily+Caller&obcid=0032a88f816117279447bf4ff596bdd8ac

Queens University founded in 1845

Crown Liquor Saloon, most impressive Victorian Pub in town

May 17 - Overland to Dublin

Navan Fort

Hike to lookout hill

Armagh Cider Company, family owned for 3 generations

May 18 Dublin All Day

Garden of  Remembrance

City Walk

Tram to Jamison's Distillery

Brazen Head Inn, oldest pub in Dublin

National Museum of Archaeology

First of several well preserved  Bog Bodies from 400 to 200 BC

Dublin City Gallery (Art Museum Building) next to Writers Museum across street from  Hotel 7

A final visit to Garden of Remembrance across street from Museum, close to hotel

Gate Theater 

Hotel 7 - Dublin

Last night in Dublin

Farewell Dinner

Chuck's 74th birthday - thanks Rowan

An enjoyable birthday, wonderful and interesting guests, and great trip leader to end a memorable and educational trip

END