Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Wandering through Donegal

Wandering through Donegal


Scenery on the Fanad Head Drive
Until about 4pm today,  I was thinking today was just beautiful, but pretty ordinary, but then things changed!

The drive I took today was really spectacular, but as usual I didn't have any accommodation booked. I have to  admit I always get a little anxious until I'm actually booked in somewhere and today, as usual, I didn't have anything firm planned. I was thinking of Glencolumbcille as a  target place for this evening, but the people at my hotel ay Ballyliffin didn't think that was a good idea. They suggested Ardara as it had more options, so that was my plan at the start of the day.

I'll tell you about the day then get back to tonight's adventure..

My first port of call today was somewhere quite close to Ballyliffin (about 30 mins away) called Grianan of Aileach.

This photo explains a bit about its history (or look at the link above)

History of Grianan of Aileach
It's very ancient and once again  it's astounding to think I am treading on the ground and moving within the building that was built over 2000 years ago...

Once  again it was a place I had visited on my last bus tour and I knew the view from the top was spectacular. It was often covered in fog  and mist but today was a beautiful sunny day.
I know - I'm an arsey bitch, Kerry! - and although it was slightly misty and freezing cold the views were really worth the effort.

View from Grianan of Aileach

Fort at Grianan of Aileach

Inside fort at Grianan of Aileach

View from Grianan of Aileach
I remember our guide telling us last time that you can see at least four counties from up there.

It was a bit spooky though, I have to admit. When I arrived there were a few people there,  but  they left almost immediately, and I  was there on my own. It was a bit misty  and as I was climbing the walls inside the fort I had the thought to be really careful, because if I slipped or fell etc... there would be no-one there to rescue  me. I had a few risk filled moments today, and was very conscious of the fact I was on my own... It was a bit of a weird day like that.

My next stop was the Tourist Information at Letterkenny. I wanted to get some more info on this WAW (Wild Atlantic Way) and the girl there was very helpful and gave me an appropriate map.

I was going to bypass the road to Fanad Head, but she said that was the best  scenery on the leg I had planned for today and I would be better to bypass other spots but take that initial drive.

She was certainly right about the beauty of that drive...

Here's today's map

My journey today
The drive up to Fanad Head was just lovely and, as the girl recommended, really  worth the effort. I followed water  nearly all  the way and some of the views were spectacular. I know I say this every day, but the camera really can't capture the beauty and grandeur of it all.

Views along the Fanad Head way

Views along the Fanad Head way
Views along the Fanad Head way

Views along the Fanad Head way
When I arrived at Fanad Head it was beautiful, but you couldn't get to the lighthouse because there was a big  gate and it was locked. But I took a few pics.

Once again I was conscious that I was on my own in this place. It was quite isolated and I went for  a bit of a walk, but  again it was a bit of an eerie feeling being the only person there....

Here's a few pics though from the second most northerly point of Ireland.

Fanad Head
Fanad Head

Fanad Head

Fanad Head

That's the info...  here's a few more pics..

WW2 structure Fanad Head

Beach Fanad Head

WW2 Bunker Fanad Head
So that was all lovely. Luckily I had bought some lunch at my coffee stop this morning, so I ate my sandwich at Fanad Head - not a lot of shops around...!!

After that I set Gaby Garmin for Ardara, intending to stay the night. On the way home, I had no idea where we were, but once again I trusted  Gaby and sure enough I ended  up in Ardara. The  trip was lovely, once again cruising past Loughs and rivers along the way..
On the way back from Fanad Head

On the way back from Fanad Head

On the way back from Fanad Head

So, this is where today's story begins!

Gaby Garmin took me very happily to Ardara but when I got there, I couldn't really see anything that looked like suitable accommodation. It was about 4 o'clock by  now and the evening draws in very quickly here. So I thought I would chance my arm and move on...

Bad move...!!!

The next town on the main road was Killybegs and I thought I would go there, but  then I  saw the signpost to  Glencolumbcille - my original plan was to stay the night here. I had looked online and there seemed to be some places, but what I didn't realise was that everything closed over the winter period... beginning November! It was starting to get dark, so I was taking yet another risk today to get here. I also didn't realise that the road  took me over the mountains, through the Glengesh Pass.

Glengesh Pass
So, as you can see, the light was starting to fade and this road was narrow and winding and it was all a bit traumatic! Anyway, I pressed on... I didn't have a lot of choices....

I arrived in Glencolumbcille and it was dark and there was absolutely nothing that looked ike accommodation. There were a few places that may have been up for grabs in the summer, but they looked dark and locked up.  Eeeekkkkk!!!! What was I to do...????

I prayed first of all... lots and hard!!! I prayed to St Columba after whom this town is named...

Then the practical skills kicked in...

I went into  a shop and asked the lady there about accommodation and her first words were "There are no hotels here with accommodation"... but she went on to say there was a B&B three doors down from the shop. So I went down the road and counted my 3 houses but there were no B&Bs. I went up and down the road and came back again and looked at this third house and thought it looked like a B&B. Anyway I knocked on the door and this lovely lady came  out and said yes she was a B&B but had just taken the signs down for the winter. And I could  stay if I didn't mind an early breakfast as she had to pick her daughter up from the airport at Knock. I would've agreed to anything at  this stage.

And it's the most lovely place and all for 30 Euros for the night. The next trick was to find some dinner, but again there was nothing to be had in Glencolumbcille.
 But Geraldine, my landlady, suggested I go to the shop where they might have some frozen meals and she would heat it up for me. Which I duly did and found a lovely Roast Beef and Vegies meal and a can of Harp beer to soothe my fractured nerves!

So here am I sitting beside this beautiful peat fire, having had a lovely roast dinner and am about to retire to a cosy bedroom with ensuite, and of course I have my wifi to complete this blog.
Open fire with peat as the fuel


Maybe it's  co-incidence, maybe it's luck, or maybe it's the hand of God looking after me...
Whatever it  is, I'm just very grateful and relieved to be safe and sound in a  warm and comfortable house tonight, and off the road.

In this very Catholic sitting room, there's a statue of  the Good  Shepherd.... Maybe it's a sign, Bri...!!!

My faith is very comforting at times like this!




4 comments:

  1. Phew! I became increasingly nervous as I progressed through this blog. Nervous that you may have to sleep in your car! There was a big sigh from me when I read that the landlady said yes! xxx
    Your pics are fantastic.

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    1. Me too Anne, I was getting quite anxious. But thank God it all worked out in the end. Rattles the nerves a bit though...

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  2. Like Anne, I was very relieved to read that you had finally found a comfortable place to stay. All great stuff for a future tv series Moira! xx

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    1. Tv series... Hmmm.... I don't think so... Mind you the places I've been would be worthy of a "Getaway" type show!

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