Ireland Monday August 6th - Kinvara

Conor Pass - ***

If you’re going back up the way we were towards Galway and your vehicle passes the size restrictions just take the time to go through Conor pass, it’s a winding road in the highest mountain pass in all of Ireland and even in bad weather it’s beautiful. Looking out across the pass as we drove by was incredible, buildings in the distance look like scale models and you see a huge area of the peninsula at the stop off at the top.
Being the wearied veterans of more then a weeks worth of touristing the hell out of Ireland we opted out of the hiking trail that criss-crosses at the top, but I watched a few families make the trek and can only imagine the view they earned themselves.
Driving back down the pass roads is equally beautiful, including a view of a waterfall and rolling hills. We also stopped by a sheep in the road and he bumped around our car for a few minutes while traffic backed up all around us. The roads here were a bit tight so be careful driving in the area, you’ll never know when you have to stop around a corner or do some major backing up.

Shannon Ferry - **

If you’re in the mood to skip the drive through Limerick and enjoy a short boat ride, I definitely suggest the Shannon Ferry. We got there just in time for the boat to leave and despite my american credit card waging war on their readers (and winning) everyone was very nice.

We left early on this day to make it to the Cliffs of Moher and get it out of the way but unfortunately when we arrived a pea soup fog and awful rainstorm had beat us there. Knowing I didn’t want to miss out  on hiking dirt paths mere centimeters from a hundred meter drop because of something as slippery and wet as rain, I checked in with the parking attendant who advised us to come back a bit earlier the next day.

St Brigid’s Well - **

We stopped off at St. Brigids Well after the Cliff turned out to be a wash. It is a place of beauty and goal for people on pilgrimages for lost loved ones. The scene within the well is papered with pictures and stories, and it’s a very moving experience to read some of them. Out of respect I refused to take pictures in the well proper, but I did take the title picture just outside.

Villa Maria B&B - **

Maria keeps a beautiful home situated on the N67 inbetween the town of Kinvara and Kilcolgan. Along the walls are pictures she’s taken of the many sites of Ireland. The breakfast nook in the B&B is a wonderful and bright room at the front of the house and was a great start in the mornings.
It’s right near Kinvara and Mary was very helpful in getting us food and directions. The room was beautifully kept.

M'asal Beag Dubh Ba Restaurant - ***
Main Street, Kinvara, Co. Galway

What can I say? This place had some of the best food and beer we had on the entire trip and the servers were great. They played the Olympics while we were there at a respectable volume and even had a few chats about it while we watched. Go there!