Driving Towards The Rainbows

Saturday, December 16, 2006
Bunowen, Louisburgh, County Mayo, Republic Of Ireland

We arrived at yet another residence, Louisburgh Country Cottages. We were given a warm greeting by the Managers, Peter Sweeney and Mrs. Teresa O’Leary. They were a bit chagrined that we had arrived early (we got there at noon). If we would have arrived at 3pm, which is the normal check-in time, they would have had the cottage heated up. Also, Teresa hadn’t had a chance to hang the Christmas decorations for us. We let them know that we sincerely appreciated their intentions, but we would muddle through without all the garlands, hollies, etc. I was only allowed to leave them in good spirits when I took a holiday wreath which I promised to hang.

Renee and I have a four bed cottage for one week. So, since we have two spare beds, please feel free to drop by!

We’ve got a nice turf fire going and plenty of fuel in reserve. The cottage comes with one bale of peat (the words peat and turf are interchangeable) and we purchased two more bales of O Bord na Mona peat briquettes, at the local O’Grady’s supermarket (which is quite a bit smaller than the Stop and Shops and Publix to which you are accustomed). We were also advised that we could supplement our turf fire by adding coal, as it burns much slower than the peat. However, the one store that sells coal in town closed at noon and will not reopen until Monday. We’ll have to rough it and make do with the turf. Oh, that and the electric heat that runs through every room.

We left Claremorris this morning. The Dalton Hotel was a wonderful old hotel on Main Street, of a great town.

Now we are on the coast, the rugged, wild, beautiful Atlantic coast of Ireland. The cottage is down the road from Clew Bay, and Clare Island, one of tomorrow’s probable destinations.

As we traveled from Claremorris, through Castlebar and then Westport, we could see the change in the surrounding countryside and feel the warming climate. Sunshine and rainbows (even double anuenues) ahead as Croagh Patrick appeared in the distance.

Topping the hill, we could see the village of Louisburgh, and perhaps the Holiday Cottages on a distant knoll. Lucky us . . . , signs directed us towards the group of cottages we had hoped were ours.

I would just like to add my thoughts to my wonderful husband’s remarks regarding this grand place. The cottage is simply Irish, the views unforgettable, and the few townspeople we have encountered on our first day, most memorable for good reasons. What a joy to be here!

I don’t know what we like more, the slate floors, the green plank interior doors, the combination washer-dryer, or the "Dutch Door" back door with an interior half-glass door, the views across the little babbling brook and pasture of sheep, or the view towards town and the two churches.

All this, and it is so peaceful.

About 4 PM, we dined at a café/bistro just recently opened in town centre. Today was their first Saturday to be open we learned. "Louisburgh 74" is owned by a delightful Irish couple who moved from Dublin with their children, after having lived in Spain.

The "L74" was a combination café, bistro, jewelry artists’ boutique, (amber, turquoise, silver, etc.), potters’ gift shoppe, and so much more.

The food was exceptional. I tried the Seafood Roulade and Kevin ordered the Tex-Mex Potato. My dish was served on a bed of the most interesting greens, with scoops of carrot & raisin salad, and a coleslaw-like salad. The salmon, spinach and other ingredients of the roulade were a culinary delight, truly continental cuisine. Some Yum!

It is now 9 PM. We’ve reviewed our photos for the day, and since today marks the halfway point, we looked back at our entire trip (in photos) to date. We sure have had a great time so far, seeing and experiencing Ireland, and the peculiar thing is I feel "the best" time is now. This week at the Louisburgh Cottages will be our vacation on our vacation.

The night sky is full of stars (no more rain clouds) and the Big Dipper is not where it belongs, Ha! The air is crispy cold, and the cottage warm and toasty.

We must be on a roll . . . we turned on the TV to find a sharp, clear picture PLUS an old Kirk Douglas movie. The fire’s roaring, we have food in the fridge, it feels like home.

Tomorrow we’ll explore the land of Grace O’Malley and Clew Bay, and hopefully ferry over to Clare Island. That is, after we walk out the gate and over the hill to play on a stunning stretch of coastline, Carramore Beach, (a blue flag beach), into which the Bunowen River flows out to the Atlantic Sea.

"Life may be short, but it can be wide."

Published at Gavin's Internet Cafe, Westport, County Mayo