Connemara. Day 1

Connemara
Day 1
The Sky Road - Clifden - Cleggan - Oughterard - Lough Corrib - Ross Lake

The Sky Road

Day 1

A drive along the Sky Road, out of Clifden, was the highlight of our opening day in Connemara. There is an Upper and Lower Sky Road (they form a loop) but it seems the upper one is more rewarding. Some spectacular views, under a mix of blue and grey skies, unfolded as we headed west and quite a few photo stops were made.

Decided then to head for Cleggan and saw the ferry from Inishbofin coming in. Had thought of having some food in Oliver’s in the village but it looks as if it’s weekends only for the time being so we headed back to our base, Dun Ri in Hulk Street in Clifden. Must ask our hosts how the street name came about!

Ross Lake, near Moycullen

The day had started under a grey sky in Cork and we saw hopeful streaks of blue as we headed north and west. The journey was quite uneventful and we reached our first scheduled stop in Oughterard on time. After a cup of tea and a scone at a local cafe, the Boat Inn, we headed for nearby Lough Corrib, the republic’s largest lake.

And very impressive it was. Coming from Galway, you turn right, in the middle of Oughterard, and soon you are on the banks of the lake. We made one or two stops but the best viewing point is about eight kilometres out the road. Here you get an idea of the size of the lake and see some of its many islands. This is a dead end so head back to the town which, by the way, is home to McGeough's, well known for their air dried meats.

Lough Corrib

If you look at the map of Connemara you’ll see that it is dotted with many small lakes.  We saw quite a few as we headed west to Clifden. A Thursday night in early April in Connemara is fairly quiet, as you might expect.

Still Guy’s Bar, where I enjoyed one of their Gourmet Pizzas (their breaded Lemon Sole wasn’t as well appreciated), was busy enough, with French and American visitors among the guests. Mannion’s was another bar serving food and here I sipped the final pint of the day before strolling down to Dun Ri and waking up the Apple Mac with these few paragraphs.

Connemara Day 2
Connemara Day 3

Pizza Gourmet: Caramelised onion, blue cheese and rosemary

Food and Drink Spotting

Food and Drink Spotting

Walnut and Date cake via Lorge Chocolatier Kenmare.
See his delicious chocolate and nougat and more at
this weekend's Kenmare Food Carnival.

Farmer's Market for Camphire International Horse Trials & Festival

Local food and craft producers from across the region are set to feature at the Camphire International Horse Trials which will take place in west Waterford from July 26 to 28.

For those with a sweet tooth Maurice Butler from the Dungarvan based Butler’s traditional Ice cream will be on hand to ensure visitors enjoy some of Ireland’s finest handmade Ice-cream, Baldwin’s Farmhouse Ice-cream from Knockanore and Candy Rock Lane from Cork will also be on hand with sweet treats.

The Summerhouse Café from Lismore will be onsite with their popular local produce along with Helen Murphy’s Catering whilst Volcano Wood Fired Pizza will serve up delicious artisan pizza from their mobile wood fired pizza oven.

According to Festival Organiser, Billy Garvey, “Visitors to Camphire will be able to sample some wonderful local food produce whilst enjoying all the equestrian action of the Trials.  Furthermore, the wonderful views of the Blackwater valley provide a truly unique setting to enjoy what will be a great weekend in our outdoor Village.”

Read more here 

Free Wine and Poetry!

Don’t miss the Free wine at Felix Dennis's poetry readings this week in Dublin and Cork - there's gallons of it, according to Stuart of From Vineyards Direct. Dennis is “one of the most popular, critically acclaimed poets of recent times attracting thousands of dedicated fans across the globe”. Check him out here. 

 €20 - Tickets / €10 Concessions (Includes pretty much unlimited FVD Wine.....a good time guaranteed). 

Dublin - Thursday 11th July

The Button Factory

 Cork - Saturday 13th July

The Firkin Crane  

Galway’s Masquerade Extravaganza

A carnival of masked revellers, led by a lively band, will wind through Galway’s medieval streets on Saturday 28th September during the highly anticipated Gala ‘Mardi Gras’ style masquerade event, sponsored by Tindal Wine Merchants.

Combining five bands, three venues and one great party, the evening is tipped to be the 2013 festival highlight! Guests are invited to don their most colourful clothes and captivating masquerade masks as they venture on the movable feast. In each of the three venues, guests will indulge in a different course of delicious seafood while being entertained by live performances ’til the wee hours.

The Galway Oyster Festival has been hailed by the Sunday Times as “one of the 12 greatest shows on earth” and ranks in the AA Travel Guide among Europe‘s 7 Best Festivals as well as most recently winning a place in the Independent UK 10 Best Food Festivals.

As this vibrant city pulls out all the stops for The Gathering, 2013 is the year to taste the celebrated hospitality and vibrant atmosphere that is gloriously Galway. More info from info@galwayoysterfest.com