Glencar Waterfall, Lough Gill, Hazelwood Forrest, Strandhill, Carramore & W.B. Yeats

Started the day with breakfast and a funny visit with Pat, the owner. She is just quirky and the expressions the Irish use make me laugh! She is delightful as is her daughter and Matty, her husband. Had to spend some time scratching Bob the big dog.  Will include a picture of him. Makes me really miss my Annie Girl.

Headed out with a sketch of the day but just wanted to meander wherever the road took us. Our first stop was at Glencar Waterfall where we encountered a serene area with a babbling mountain brook. We climbed briefly and were rewarded with a nice waterfall. Not magnificent but hey, anything is nice when one is from the land of no water or waterfalls!! 

Motored on down the "charming" country roads to Parkes Castle and more importantly a boat ride around the truly beautiful Lough (Lake) Gill. This area is steeped in myth and legend that inspired W.B Yeats to write his famous poetry. The boat ride was the highlight of the day. Not only was the scenery around the glassy lake stunning in its raw beauty but we were told stories that were followed with the recitation of some of Yeats poems directly tied to this Lake Isle of Innisfree by the boat's captain; a wonderful Irish gentleman of about 70 years young.  He also played melodic Irish music that along with everything else caused us to breathe in deeply and relish this special time. It was an idyllic afternoon.

Yeats: " I will rise and go now, and go to Innisfree."  This experience will make reading his poetry very personal. 

Drove on to Hazelwood, another secret gem in this area. The Hazelwood Forrest is beautiful as was the lake with the many ducks and ducklings that I fed. 

Moved South and West to Strandhill, a popular sea resort with sandy beaches and huge Atlantic breakers that attract many surfers. I have never thought of Ireland when I think of surfing!! We ate our late lunch/early dinner right by the water ( surprise, surprise!) and visited with one of the owners that told us about the Ireland Surfing team he and his brother were a part of. News to us but there were surfer dudes all around and a couple of surfing schools. 

Enjoyed the ocean's song for a bit and moved on to Carrowmore where we saw the Megalithic Cemetary with standing stones and stone circles. The oldest of them were erected around 4000 BC, several hundred years before Stonehenge was built.  The description of them and knowing how ancient they are is far more intriguing than the actual stones!! 

We ended our field trip at  Drumcliffe Church which is dedicated to Yeats, Ireland's greatest poet. Yeats is buried in sight of his beloved Benbulben mountain ( included a picture yesterday).  A simple stone slab in the church graveyard marks his grave.  It is inscribed with the epitaph taken from the last poem he wrote: Cast a cold Eye. On Life, On Death,  Horseman, pass by.

Everyone should know by now how we end our day.... I scream, you scream. We all scream for ice cream!! You guessed it!! 

Including pics of the day.  

Yes, I am in the same clothes!! It was supposed to be cold and rainy!! Thank God for laundry service!!