Northwestern Ireland
Today we explored a portion of northwestern Ireland. We docked at the well-protected port of Killeybegs. This is an important fishing base, and some impressive ships were docked with us.
For the morning, we divided into groups. Some took a challenging hike up to the top of Slieve League. This is a very high seaside cliff. Views from the top were memorable, and so were the winds! Others walked from the town of Glencolmcille. They strolled through a landscape that is the fantasy of Ireland – a green patchwork of fields, white cottages, implacable sheep and contemplative cows. Their walk culminated in a visit to St. Colmcille’s well and its associated structures. Still others found older and more massive structures. Our archaeologist Vinnie Butler took them to some large Neolithic tombs. Everywhere, we traveled past scattered sheep. These were mostly Scottish blackface, a hardy breed. One group went off to see the product of these creatures being used at a Kilcar woolen mill.
In the afternoon we divided again. Some went directly to Donegal town. There is an old castle here that was interesting to see. Shops were open ‘specially for us. And the siren song of the ubiquitous pint drew all to a nearby pub. Others went first to see a bog. This, the dominant feature of the Irish landscape, can appear bleak or monotonous, but a closer look reveals many beautiful or peculiar plants and creatures that call it home.
When we returned to the ship, we found a certain part of Ireland had boarded before us. In the lounge, Irish musicians were playing. Another excuse to hoist one!
