Left Cong about 9 and drove north to Westport, walked around, then drove out to the National Famine monunent, and took pictures of the big bronze statue called the Coffin Ship, which sits on a grassy slope overlooking Clew Bay. Across the road was the visitors centre, with a stand renting walking sticks for people about to start the 3 hour hike up the mountain where St. Patrick fasted for 40 days. We resisted the urge to yell "get a horse," at the hikers; drove on the winding narrow road to Leenane (where the movie The Field was filmed), stopping to wait for sheep to cross the road at times. Leenane is a wide spot in the road at the head of Killary Harbour, a 9 mile long fjord, and has a wool centre and cafe, which required a stop; I decided two toques was enough, but Sally bought a "perfect for paddling" one.
Drove on, past Kylemore Abbey across a lake, and turned down a little used road to Cleggan (in Connemara district, in County Galway), a tiny village on a harbour. After checking into the B&B, we went to the Cleggan Beach Riding Centre (see the link at the bottom of this page) for our 3 hour ride to Omey Island. The island is only accessible when the tide is low, so our ride started at 5 p.m.
After a lot of walking, part way into the village and then on lanes and small roads, we came to the beach, where we cantered. There were cars driving out to the island; guess if you drive out and the tide comes in, you're there until it's out again. On the island we went along a sandy road, then back to the beach. We went by houses with stacks of peat; people still use it in their fireplaces. We were lucky to have sunshine for the ride, and saw a nice sunset later (10 p.m.)
Photo: CC by Dittmeyer
