This trip is starting to feel like one big international pub crawl, as we visited Dublin, then went on an over-night excursion to the west coast of Ireland. We visited Galway, Bunratty village and castle and the Cliffs of Moher.
Much history learned on this trip. The Irish Potato Famine transpired in 1848, where 1 million people died of starvation. They were so poor they couldn’t afford grave markers, so ordinary unscripted rocks were used. Many of these rock cemeteries, long abandoned, are still in existence.
There was no employment for the men to earn for food, so they built walls of stone everywhere. Most of the walls were in the middle of nowhere and served no practical purpose, just employment. The men were paid 1 penny a day, which was enough to feed a family. The Irish government had to pay for these walls.
Many also left Ireland and many went to New York City, where they formed the Gangs of New York.
[Click on any photo for the slideshow. Please leave comments at the bottom of the page]
Dublin
A real Irish pub in Dublin
A real Irish pub in Dublin
Dublin
Dublin
Dublin
Dublin
Our route to the west coast
Galway
Galway. Spiked heels on the wire. What was this woman thinking?
Galway
Galway
Bunratty castle
The walls of Bunratty castle
The ladies of Bunratty castle
The lady of Bunratty castle
Medieval home in Bunratty village
My friend (I fed him) in Bunratty village
Abandoned cemetery in Bunratty village
Cliffs of Moher
Cliffs of Moher
July 4, 2018 at 12:25 pm
Wonderful pix Len! We were in the area a few years ago on a cycling vacation. Beautiful region; its a different perspective in black & white!
July 4, 2018 at 12:43 pm
Yes, B&W simplifies things and often adds drama. Colour often confuses, in my opinion.
July 4, 2018 at 9:53 pm
Wonderful photos Len – it is interesting to see the non-postcard side of a place. Didnât know all that info about the famine. A penny a day. Wow. My grandfather was from county cork – he droppped the âOâ from the family name. But I think he arrived in Canada about 1900 or so as a young man so he might have experience the tail end of that tragedy.
July 4, 2018 at 11:48 pm
I’m glad you like this John. Many people want post cards, but Google has lots of that. Why even travel then, eh? I like getting as close to the ground as possible, close to the people, that is. That’s why cycling trips are so great, for me, anyway. I used to try real hard to get shots with no people in, which is very difficult. Now, I want people, as long as they’re not tourists with funny hats and big shopping bags. But a pint in the hand is perfect.
July 5, 2018 at 1:09 am
Beautiful shots, Len.
Favourite pics include:
-The Lady of Bunratty castle (gorgeous, elegant pic. yeah to the Lady!!)
– My friend (I fed him) in Bunratty village – what exactly did you feed him, Len?
– Cliffs of Moher (both b&w and colour) – stunning – nice with the yellow flowers to provide some contrast.
Ireland is a lovely country… The people and music in the pubs = FUN times (not to mention the pints of whatever!).
The Irish DNA imprint on many a north american is profound. Can’t wait to get back there….
July 5, 2018 at 2:14 am
Kate, I love your feedback. Billy was on the other side of the yard, so I called him and he just came right over. Goats just love me. There were some leaves growing close to the ground, which were different then what were in his yard. He loved them! Always good to get a change in menu.
July 6, 2018 at 12:15 am
I was kind of wondering if you fed him some Guinness!! đ
July 6, 2018 at 12:40 am
Nope. The Guinness was for me đ