Clare Island

[Ondine]

Thinking of going there this summer. Anyone been?

[ontheedge]

Is it Cape Clear off Baltimore in West Cork you,re talking about. If so used to go there loads in my late teens early twenties and have very fond memories absolutely loved it. Haven't been for years but friends and I keep meaning to have a reunion there. Not a lot to do other than speaking Irish and birdwatching. Sherkin Island beside it is beautiful. Have been all over the world but still think it's my fave place in the world propably to do more with the formative experiences there.There is another Clare Island off Galway get the feeling that's the one you mean. Let me know.

[Ondine]

yes it's Mayo I'm talking about. My parents are from West Cork so I've been all round there, looking to branch out.

[ontheedge]

Sister lives in Mayo and being from sunnier south east prior to her living there never had any cause to go there bar one miserable wet holiday we spent in Achill en famille.

Since sister has lived there, she's in Castlebar have visited several times and find it to be one of the most beautiful counties and love it. The rain is the main problem nearly every day at some stage but the evenings stretch out very long and it is bright til almost 11 in summer. Out around Belmullet is particularily beautiful it so isolated and desolate if you like that kind of thing. Sister has been over to Clare Island and likes it, have you been to Achill despite my first experience there now love it. Sligo is also a beautiful County alot more open than Mayo and has some good beaches.

[spadetownboy]

"Take me to Clare Island, the home of Granuaile, Its waters harbour fishes from the herring to the whale"

The Green and Red of Mayo - The Sawdoctors.

Granuaile was Grace O,Malley, an Irish historic figure, reputed to buried on Clare Island. Worth while checking out her story makes for a bit of interesting reading.

On the subject of Connaght, there was an interesting piece in the Guardian travel section a few weeks ago about Leitrim, interesting fact that apparantly there is only one traffic light in Leitrim, which was installed approx 7 yrs ago and is only used on a part-time basis.

[Ondine]

booked for Clare Island - really looking forward to it.

Grace O'Malley is one of the attractions for me. My dad went to school on that side of Ireland and is full of stories about her - sailing up the Thames for strategic discussions with Elizabeth 1, for example, how amazing is that??

[ontheedge]

Enjoy. Have you got flights got some excellent value flights to Knock in early August one way with XCL from Gatwick and the other way with Ryanair to Stansted about 40 pounds in total.

[Ondine]

yes quite good flights - not the cheapest as I'm flying with kids but times are all good. And picked up good deals for two nights in Westport on the way over and Dublin on the way back

Am busy training my two to be independent in London, so a wander in Ireland is all part of the plan!!

[SeanMacGabhann]

Anyone flying out of Knock - if you haven't done so before, there is an "exit fee" of about 15 euro that everyone has to pay the airport before boarding..

But it's all worth it for the west coast of Ireland. has anyone been to Ballyvaughan?

[Ondine]

Never got beyond Galway before but very drawn to the west coast.

[SimonM]

I recommend Clifden and a look at the Alcock & Brown memorial nearby....very atmospheric

[SteveT]

I recommend the classic film 'Man of Arran' it's brilliant.

[monica]

Stayed in cong one new year, we have a friend whos family live in cong, its the village just by Ashford castle its a gorgeous place, famous for the quiet man John wayne film, and we even met a elderly gent who played the shepard in the quiet man. If you are going to mayo then try an visit cong. Knock is great you can imagine what all the souveniers are based on. Enjoy mayo and ireland its truly amazing

[Ondine]

well Clare Island was gorgeous. We managed to hit a week when the weather was boiling hot and had lovely long med-style evenings on the beach. Bit of a schlep to get there, but not too bad and everyone along the way super nice and helpful. My 10 yr old was hugely jealous of the Clare Island kids who spend their summer on the beach. The 10 yr old in our B&B would put on a wetsuit at about 9pm every evening, climb over her back wall, walk along the jetty and jump in the sea.

Loved Grace's castle and the kids really locked onto the story about her sailing all the way round to the Thames to meet Elizabeth 1 and do political deals. We visited the 12th C abbey where she's thought to be buried - it's got the highest level of gov't cultural protection but as it's on a remote Mayo island, you get the key from under the mat of a cottage nearby and put it back when you're finished!

Slightly sad thing was that my small daughter, 8, asked me why the Irish kids don't say anything to you about looking at them. She's really used to the aggressive London kid "why are you looking at me" and she has learned to be careful about looking. She said it was lovely that the kids on the island just talked to her without any hassle.....