Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Clifden
County Galway (Contae na Gaillimhe)

I have been staying in the town of Clifden , on Ireland's west coast, for a couple of days now. This view over town shows the mountains of the Connemara region known as the "Twelve Bens."

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Harp
County Galway (Contae na Gaillimhe)

The harp is, of course, the most recognized symbol of Ireland. During my time on the west coast, I stayed near several towns where traditional music was played. In Clifden, a harp maker and player brought his harps out every night to play in the local pubs.

Monday, August 4, 2008

Across the Killary
County Galway (Contae na Gaillimhe)

There are many people staying at the hostel near where I am camped who are climbing local peaks. I would probably be doing the same if, for starters, the peaks weren't always in the clouds. The rain is coming and going, and things in my tent are only relatively dry at this point. Also, it would appear that half of France has joined me along the west coast of Ireland this week. They are a very loud people.

Saturday, August 2, 2008

Clouds and The Killary
County Galway (Contae na Gaillimhe)

It always seems to rain around here. Today, I said good-bye to my friends Cicek and Maxim as they head back to the Netherlands. I walked to Leenaun and bought some groceries for the coming days. I have decided to camp along the Killary Fjord and limit my travels as everything here is so incredibly expensive for my currently.

Friday, August 1, 2008

Low Tide Sunset at the Killary Fjord
County Galway (Contae na Gaillimhe)

The sunset tonight on the banks of the Killary, Ireland's only fjord, was spectacular. Just a couple of hours previous to this photo, when the tide was in, I had been swimming here. This photo is a high dynamic range composition from 5 individual images.

Friday, July 1, 2008

Cicek and Maxim
County Galway (Contae na Gaillimhe)

Here is a photo of my friends Cicek and Maxim along the coast of Ireland at the Killary Fjord. Shortly after this photo, we went swimming and then cooked dinner out of what few scraps we could pull together around the hostel. We hadn't known before arriving that there isn't a grocery store near the hostel at all.

Thursday, July 31, 2008

Quays Bar
County Galway (Contae na Gaillimhe)

The Mathematics Department at the university had arranged for a tour of Galway for us. The tour was impressive, guided by Conor Riordan of Legend Tours (+087 7782887). We walked around Galway and received a medieval history lesson as we went, learning odd facts about the town and its citizens over the past centuries. Afterward, several of us graduate students invited Conor out for a brief tour of local historic pubs, and we weren't disappointed. This pub is Quays Bar, near the bottom of Quay Street in downtown Galway. The bar is made from old church and cathedral parts. Quite interesting.

Monday, July 28, 2008

Doolin Tower Close-Up
County Clare (Contae an Chláir)

A close-up view of the privately owned and restored Doolin Tower.

Monday, July 28, 2008

Cliffs of Moher
County Clare (Contae an Chláir)

The weather was better for my second day along the cliffs. Still, toward the southern extent of the cliffs I found few people along the path. I found my way back to the visitor center in time to have a coffee and buy some postcards before the bus arrived to take me back to Galway.

Monday, July 28, 2008

Hag's Head and Moher Tower
County Clare (Contae an Chláir)

This was the view looking back at Hag's Head, the Moher Tower and my campsite as I packed up and left for the visitor center.