Start of the Wild Atlantic Coast

Ireland has the equivalent of the Scottish North Coast 500 called the Wild Atlantic Coast - with lots of info on things to see and do. So we are on it.

Here is a big help if you can't stay awake on the drive:

We had a beautiful drive down the west coast and stopped in the small village of Clonmany for coffee. Glenn had a ginormous cherry scone and I had a delicious normal sized cinnamon swirl - both home made. We then headed over the high Pass of Mamone - with sheep road runners. There are spooky religious statues there - a Virgin Mary and a Saint Egney from the 6th century. People used to do a yearly pilgrimage involving fasting and then climbing up the 700 foot hill barefooted.

In 1812 many people in the area made poutine alcohol from potatoes. The authorities tried to clamp down on this but the locals rebelled and declared themselves a republic. They stopped anyone in authority coming over the gap - the only entry to their area at the time - by hurling rocks and attacking them. It was like this for a few years.

Then off to a quieter area - a bird reserve on the water next to the Inch island - linked only by road and path causeways. Lots of swans and cygnets. There are huge bushes of brambles (blackberries) everywhere- there is going to be a bumper season this year!

After our normal van sandwich lunch (very civilized) we headed off up another big hill with a restored ancient fort on top - Greanan of Alieach.

The views are beautiful including those of the Inch island with causeways.

Too many Glenns!

Next stop was Fanad lighthouse on the edge of the next peninsula. Now serviced by helicopter as it's such a long way from Central Ireland.

Overnight was in Dunfanachy - with all the Harbour spots taken we found a quiet carpark just on the end of the Main Street - no party noises there!

We meant to try the sourdough pizza recommended by Kate and Rob at the local pub - but it was booked out!! We went down the road to the next pub and that had good food and traditional Irish music - full of locals so a good alternative. After a couple of Guinness we stumbled back to the van for a good sleep!

The Harbour is very shallow with no boats around. It had been a big port originally but in WW1 the army cut the grass on the other side to use as horse bedding. This destabilized the bank - causing the sand to fill the bay in a storm on 1917. That was the end of any ships reaching port. It's now a wildlife sanctuary.