October 22 - Day 6 - Galway - Cliffs of Moher - Killarney

Today was a very long day. We headed out towards the cliffs of Moher at 9, stopping at a craft organic chocolate factory (Hazel Mountain Chocolate) along the way. We were given a short demonstration on how the chocolate is made. It was one of the best chocolates I have ever tasted. There are only 3 ingredients in their chocolate. I regret not buying any.

On our way to the Cliffs of Moher, we climbed Corkscrew Hill which is a long switchback road to get to the top of the hill. We were glad that we were not driving the bus. Each year, there is a bicycle race along this road.

View on our way to the Cliffs of Moher from the top of Corkscrew Hill.

Curious spectators.

Ruins of former abbey.

Before leaving the hotel, our guide told us to dress warm since it is usually very windy and cold along the cliffs being directly on the Atlantic Ocean. Turns out it was a beautiful warm and calm day so everyone was overdressed. 

The coastline around the cliffs are beautiful. We climbed to the tower and after viewing the right side of the cliffs we went down the trail only to climb the left side which was just as dramatic to see with sheer walls of rock with pointed rocks jutting out of the water. It reminded me a bit of " les aiguilles de belle île en mer" in France. A part of the Harry Potter series was filmed here on the cliffs of Moher.

Sea Gull posing for a picture.

O'Brien's Tower (built in 1935)

On the way to our hotel we stopped in Adare where there was a beautiful church and quite a few businesses with the old style of thatched roofing. The golf course of Adare called the Adare golf links will be hosting the 2027 Golf Ryder cup. We only got to see a small part of it as we drove slowly by.

A tower House (used for defense and also as a residence).

A quick glimpse of the Adare Golf Course.

Ruins everywhere.

Trinitarian Abbey in Adare.

Building with traditional thatched roof.

Since our hotel was not in town, we checked in and after a short break the driver took us to Killarney for supper where he picked us up again at 9:30 in front of the beautiful Saint Mary's church of Ireland. We ate at a restaurant called the Tattler where the food was amazing as well as the music. It was past 10 before we made it to our room.

Saint Mary's Church of Ireland.

Putting old phone booth to good use.

Great supper with calamari for Jacques and Pasta for Rollande.