JUNE 2014 : IRELAND : a day on The Burren

       

             Just south of Galway is a huge national park, another glacio-limestone (karst) phenomenon.

             We went exploring.

        

   

           

       

         A large limestone plain with huge outcrops

     

       Although rocky and not much soil the heat of the rock provides an excellent environment for wildflowers which often grow in the crevices.

      

        Native orchids

       

          Unusual moths

      

        A rocky climb. 

     

        Fossils

     

        An interrupting shower - John bunkers down for the duration

      

          Excellent views from the summit. Here with Miriam, another friend from our Camino walk in 2012

                                        

       We visited Corcomroe Abbey, built in 1182 but was dissolved in 1564 because of its inability to survive in such a remote location.

                                         

                              Few remnants of the abbey survive and it is used as a local cemetery.

        

           Different views of Galway Bay as we drove home.

       

        A Galway Hooker - originally cargo boats but now used as pleasure craft.

      

         Our take on a Galway Hooker

      

         Dinner at a seafood restaurant in one of the villages on the bay

                                   

                          The house specialty, salmon and crab, and Guinness,of course!

M&M 

28/6/2014