Euro 2025 ~ Achill Island ...

Everyday gets better in this beautiful country, and on this one it was full of a little bit of hiking, rock climbing, beach wandering and a whole lot of admiring sheep, on Achill Island.

Achill Island (Acaill, Oileán Acla), a mountainous island joined to the mainland by the Michael Davitt Bridge across Achill Sound. The island is Ireland’s largest, with an area of 56 square miles (145 square km), its highest points are the quartzite peaks of Slieve Croaghaun 2182’ (665m) and Slieve More 2201’ (671m). The landscape is dominated by wild moorlands, remote lakes, and spectacular coastal scenery with secluded beaches. It was the location in 2022, where the movie with Colin Farrell “Banshees of Inisherin” was filmed.

Tomorrow, I will drive across the country for a one-night stay in Dublin, from where Aer Lingus will take me to Paris.

Euro 2025 ~ Doolin to Murrisk ...

Today I had an absolutely stunning drive from Doolin in County Clare to Murrisk in County Mayo, the weather was perfect, the scenery beyond words and the joy beyond explanation. I did stop for a walk in the Galway City, but was soon reminded that I am definitely not a city person.

Murrisk in Irish Gaelic Muraisc, meaning “sea marsh”, is located at the foot of Croagh Patrick (or Cruach Phádraig, meaning “St. Patrick's stack”), a mountain with a height of 764m (2507’) and an important site of pilgrimage in County Mayo. Apparently, every year, on the last Sunday of July, thousands of people converge on the village, with a population of about 266, to make the pilgrimage ~ I am delighted I came in June …!!

Below are today's pics ...

The Quiet Man ...

It may not be widely known ~ I am a fan of classic movies, of which there were many filmed in Ireland. One of those is from 1952 ~ “The Quiet Man”, starring John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara and Barry Fitzgerald. The film, directed by John Ford, tells the story of an Irish-American boxer who returns to Ireland to reclaim his family’s farm and falls in love with a local woman. The film is widely regarded as one of the best movies ever made and won two Academy Awards.

Today, I stopped at two locations chosen by John Ford for the production ~

The Quiet Man Bridge ...

From the movie ..

The Quiet Man Bridge is more than just a movie location. It is also a historic and scenic landmark in the beautiful region of Connemara, in County Galway. The bridge is a humped back stone bridge with double Roman arches, built in the 19th century over the Leam River. It is surrounded by stunning views of the mountains, lakes and boglands that characterize Connemara’s landscape.

The other Quiet Man locations I visited today ~ 

Lettergesh and Glassillaun Beaches, that were used in the movie for the beach horse race ~ unfortunately the tide was in, so I did not get to see the vastness and beauty of the two beaches, that is so evident in the movie.

From the movie ..

Murrisk ~ my home for two nights ~ "Bertra House" ...

This beautiful beach is only a 4-minute walk from room #7 ...

I took a 4-minute walk this evening with my camera and tripod ...

A very strong feeling has been growing within me over the past few days ~ Ireland is having a huge impact upon me, it has everything I thoroughly enjoy and thrive upon in life. 

Today’s journey got me somewhat sentimental and a little emotional; the scenery north of Galway City was in many ways very similar to the North West Highlands of Scotland. It was there that I had many wonderful visits to when I was a Wee Laddie. So, driving the roads today brought back lots of incredibly happy memories of wandering hills and beaches, climbing over rocks, following rivers, watching the tide and much more, always with my dad.

It was in June of last year, that I took my parent’s back home to the highlands for the last time, which is why today’s journey and the memories that came with it, triggered the emotions.

You can read about taking my parent's home and my highland journey from 2024 in the following blogs ~ click on the images or the links …

https://southshoretidewatch.blogspot.com/2024/06/euro-2024-you-may-be-gone-from-my-sight.html

https://southshoretidewatch.blogspot.com/2024/06/euro-2024-road-to-highlands.html

https://southshoretidewatch.blogspot.com/2024/06/euro-2024.html

https://southshoretidewatch.blogspot.com/2024/06/euro-2024-wild-morning-wet-afternoon.html

https://southshoretidewatch.blogspot.com/2024/06/today-i-ventured-to-other-side-of-gair.html

https://southshoretidewatch.blogspot.com/2024/06/mellon-udrigle-good-bye-to-highlands.html