Let’s see, I left you last looking out the front door of my B&B (CAPPABHAILE HOUSE) looking at weathered limestone.  Have I ever told you that I cannot get enough of Ireland??  One day in The Burren is not enough!  During Crowell’s conquests in Ireland in 1649-52, one of his generals best described The Burren (meaning a stoney place) as  “a country where there is not enough water to drown a man, wood enough to hang one, or earth enough to bury him.”   It was forested in prehistory, but stripped by man probably 10,000 years ago.  It is an area, about 140 square miles, of a limestone plateau formed under an ancient sea.  This small area is an archaeological treasure trove of upwards of 3,000 sites including cairns, ring forts, tombs of various types dating many thousands of years ago.  More recently, religious orders built many abbeys, monasteries and churches (a couple I showed you before) that date back over 1,000 years with fascinating ruins extant.

Newtown Castle behind my B&B

My host at the B&B, Conor, sat down with me at breakfast, and marked up a map with all the places I had to go to get a good overview.  His knowledge of 1,000s of years of area history, plus all the writers and poets who lived in the area making it popular, amazed me, and I am glad I can remember enough to want to learn more.  He even loaned me 4 books to read to further whet my appetite (I already have ordered 3 of them).  Conor and his wife built their B&B 12 years ago, but it looks like an old farmhouse, which inside is a spacious luxury accommodation.  I will digress — quality B&Bs are a bargain in Ireland.  Two have cost me (for a single – slight surcharge as usual) 50 Euros a night, and one is 45 Euros (50 Euros is about $67 USD). I don’t mind paying $125 for a US B&B that is clean and unique and finely appointed, and I am good at finding them. Food however, overseas, is more (maybe because tax is included?)  The prices of meals here look similar to the US, but the 17.95 Euro dinner is really over $24USD).  Now, fuel, Americans have to stop complaining.  I love my small 6 speed diesel, and there is a reason — 1.49 Euro for a liter of diesel would equate (I will do the math for you) to $5.63 USD for a gallon of fuel.  I have “Ray’s Review of Roads,” too, but I will save that for later.

Model of Newtown Castle I saw in the Burren museum at Kilfenora. Click to enlarge so you can see method for relieving yourself.

I will trust that you have your map of The Burren in front of you.  Conor had me start at the Newtown Castle right behind his place, and then head up to Galway Bay to head to the northwestern tip at Black Head.

Looking toward Black Head along Galway Bay

I followed the coast (on the backroad – natch!) to Doolin, then up

Doolin is a small fishing village, a ferry landing to the Aran Island, and dozens of resort B&Bs

As I climbed the hill out of Doolin I saw the Doonnagore Castle.

Doonnagore Castle

Then around some hills to The Cliffs of Moher at the southwest end of the peninsula (for lack of a better description).   As you will see in the videos (two different), it was an overcast day.  I stopped at the center, which was not crowded, because it is something you have to do.  But the best views you will get will be in travel travel promotional films.  But it is something you have to do.

The northern end of the Cliffs of Moher from the visitor center.

And here is something you are not supposed to do !!!

I enjoyed the Burren Centre museum at Kilfenora even though it is small (but concise), and then explored (and photographed) the 11th and 12th century Cathedral and Crosses adjacent.

Inside the Kilfenora Cathedral

Twelve foot cross almost 1,000 years old, restored from two broken sections.

And down the road a piece at my turn to repeat my trip across the top of The Burren is the Lemanagh Castle.

Lemanagh Castle

R480 is the route I recommend, and the high point is the Poulnabrone Portal Tomb, dating to about 3600 BC, and the most photographed megalithic monument in Ireland (remember in June I gave you the most photographed Lighthouse in Canada?).

Poulnabrone Portal Tomb

Here is a gallery of some other views along this route. (remember to click on an image to open a slideshow)

And I completed my introductory tour (need to find an archaeology program to attend here) in time to scoot off to Kinvara to attend a medieval banquet at the Dunguaire Castle which is a 16th century tower house.  Read about this in the Rick Steves’ guide, it is just one of those must do silly fun things.

Arriving at Dunguaire Castle

Spoons were not used, so we lifted out soup bowls to slurp and drink away.  Following the desert course a full show went providing tales and anecdotes about history and writers and poets who have made the area famous.

And, sadly time to leave…

I could go on and on throughout 1,000s of years of history that I have learned, but I won’t simply saying:

RAY RECOMMENDS:

1) Discover and tour The Burren region of Ireland

2) Attend the Medieval Banquet at Dunguaire Castle (equidistant from Galway and Ballyvaughan), or attend the affair at Bunratty Castle closer to Limerick.