Category: Sligo

Glencar and entering the UK

SDSpivey

We stopped off at a small water fall this morning, Glencar Falls. It is only 50 feet or so high, but the largest we’ve seen so far.

I spoke with someone there about if there is any path to drive up the mountain. He didn’t really give me an answer, but he did tell me about trees that were planted on the mountainside, with the light and dark trees forming a Celtic knot. I’m not sure if it is true, I didn’t see it.

Then we headed for the Organic Center, where they teach about responsible gardening and soil management. It mostly looked like any Lowes or Home Depot garden center, even most of the plants would be the same.

We jumped over the border into Northern Ireland, just for the heck of it. There was barely even a sign letting you know, definitely no crossing guards.

Driving around aimlessly, I stopped at a stop sign (because you’re supposed to) and suddenly noticed an old castle right next to me.

I found parking right there and we walked up. A sign on the castle gates stated we needed to enter through the cafe. There were several signs stating that the cafe was now open, but the cafe operators obviously did not read them, their door was locked.

We made a very quick stop at the Sligo Abbey ruins, in downtown Sligo, before going back to the Aldi to get some things we needed, like dish soap and salt, things that should have already been here.

Onto to Sligo

SDSpivey

I was tired yesterday, going to bed at 8:30, without the sun going all the way down yet. But we did arise early enough to get a fresh start on the nearly 4 hour drive.

There was really nothing en route for us to stop and see. We arrived in Sligo (pronounced sly-go) about 1:30, and weren’t supposed to check in until 4, so we detoured and followed signs for Parke’s Castle.

It is a small 3 story 17th century castle, right next to large Lough (Irish for lake) Gill, surrounded by mountains. Totally worth the admission price, well, it was free since the courtyard was under renovation, still enjoyable.

There was a small “lay-by” beside Colgagh Lough where we pulled off the road and took a few pics of the view.

We still had plenty of time to kill, so we tried to find the Sligo Gaol, but it seems to now be just another government complex, with bars on the windows, at least the employees can’t escape.

Hungry, we tried to find a quick bite, but there wasn’t any parking along our route, until there was a Texaco station with a restaurant inside. Semi cafeteria style, where you tell the lady what you want, and she puts it on the plate. Wasn’t bad, but wasn’t great either.

We went ahead and drove to the AirBnB and I crashed out for 2 hours. When I arose, mom was sitting in a chair, also crashed. Perhaps this is going to be a lazy evening for us.