Day 10: Transfer to Killarney. The Burren and the Cliffs of Moher
Breakfast: Hotel buffet.
Morning: We’ll check out of the hotel, board the motorcoach, and begin our transfer to Killarney. En route, we will stop for field trips to explore two of Ireland’s most incredible natural phenomena.
We will begin at the Burren, where a local expert will lead us through one of the largest karst limestone landscapes in Europe. The Burren — meaning “rocky place” — is what remains of a tropical sea from 350 million years ago. Geologists, botanists, and zoologists flock to this region to learn about its rare flora and fauna.
Here at the Burren, a local expert will lead us on a hike through one of the largest karst limestone landscapes in Europe.
Our next field trip will take us to the spectacular, world-famous Cliffs of Moher. The cliffs rise like a cathedral into the sky some 700 feet over the wild Atlantic Ocean, with views stretching as far as Galway Bay and the Aran Islands. Human activity here dates back at least 2,000 years. After an introduction by our Group Leader, we’ll have some time for self-directed exploration at the visitor center.
The Burren together with the Cliffs of Moher forms a UNESCO-designated Global Geopark.
Lunch: At a local restaurant.
Afternoon: We’ll then ride on to Killarney, a thriving town nestled into the beautifulv Macgillycuddy Reeks mountain range, and home to Ireland’s first National Park. Upon arrival, we’ll check into the hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is free for independent exploration or to relax.
Dinner: At the hotel.
Evening: At leisure.
Note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 170 miles, approximately 5 hours. Walking approximately 2.5 miles, periods of standing; varied terrain including paved streets and paths, flat grassy areas, uneven limestone surfaces. Main routes at Cliffs of Moher include numerous steps, alternative step-free access is available
Accommodations: Arbutus Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Breakfast: Hotel buffet.
Morning: We’ll check out of the hotel, board the motorcoach, and begin our transfer to Killarney. En route, we will stop for field trips to explore two of Ireland’s most incredible natural phenomena.
We will begin at the Burren, where a local expert will lead us through one of the largest karst limestone landscapes in Europe. The Burren — meaning “rocky place” — is what remains of a tropical sea from 350 million years ago. Geologists, botanists, and zoologists flock to this region to learn about its rare flora and fauna.
Here at the Burren, a local expert will lead us on a hike through one of the largest karst limestone landscapes in Europe.
Our next field trip will take us to the spectacular, world-famous Cliffs of Moher. The cliffs rise like a cathedral into the sky some 700 feet over the wild Atlantic Ocean, with views stretching as far as Galway Bay and the Aran Islands. Human activity here dates back at least 2,000 years. After an introduction by our Group Leader, we’ll have some time for self-directed exploration at the visitor center.
The Burren together with the Cliffs of Moher forms a UNESCO-designated Global Geopark.
Lunch: At a local restaurant.
Afternoon: We’ll then ride on to Killarney, a thriving town nestled into the beautifulv Macgillycuddy Reeks mountain range, and home to Ireland’s first National Park. Upon arrival, we’ll check into the hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is free for independent exploration or to relax.
Dinner: At the hotel.
Evening: At leisure.
Note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 170 miles, approximately 5 hours. Walking approximately 2.5 miles, periods of standing; varied terrain including paved streets and paths, flat grassy areas, uneven limestone surfaces. Main routes at Cliffs of Moher include numerous steps, alternative step-free access is available
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Moving day! We are jumping from Galway to Killarney.
Up at 6:00 am, I did a short five minute Peloton core workout. I have been scrambling every morning to organize pictures and write my blog entry for the day every morning. As I say every trip, I have to figure out how to streamline the process. We put the bags in the hall at 7:30 am and went to the buffet breakfast in the hotel.
We were on the bus at 8:30 am. There are two major stops today: the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher.
The first stop was the Burren. The famous exposed limestone pavement of the Burren in County Clare was once heavily covered in trees, with Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris) and hazel dominating the uplands alongside oak, elm, and birch. When Ireland's early farmers settled in the area, they cut down and burned the forests to clear land for cereal crops and cattle grazing.
We had a guided walking tour with Shane Connolly. He talked about the geology and the botany of the area. Shane was a character.
From there, we headed to the Cliff of Moher. The Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland’s most iconic and visited natural landmarks. Located on the southwestern edge of the Burren region in County Clare along the Wild Atlantic Way, these dramatic sea cliffs stretch for roughly 9 miles and rise to a maximum height of 702 feet above the Atlantic Ocean.
We did a self guided tour. Sharon and I walked from the visitor center up to O'Brien's Tower. Although I hate height, there was a chest high wall. The weather was beautiful! The guide told us to take our jackets; we didn't need them.
After lunch, we walked to see some crosses. Kilfenora, a small village located on the edge of the Burren in County Clare, is historically known as the "City of the Crosses." During the 12th century, Kilfenora was the seat of an important bishopric, which led to the creation of an unusually high concentration of detailed stone High Crosses for such a small site.
Originally, there were at least seven High Crosses standing around the early monastic settlement founded by Saint Fachnan in the 6th century. Today, five major crosses remain preserved in and around the site of St. Fachnan’s Cathedral.
The Doorty Cross is the most famous and artistically complex cross at Kilfenora. Dating to the 12th century, it features carved figures including a bishop or abbot holding a crozier, flanked by two ecclesiastical figures, with a bird beneath their feet—a scene often interpreted as the appointment or blessing of a bishop. On the reverse side is a depiction of Christ entering Jerusalem on a donkey over intricate interlace patterns.
We pulled up to the Arbutus Hotel about 5:45 pm. The hotel is centrally located in the city.
Sharon and I had dinner with the group in the hotel. We both had salmon and mashed potatoes.
After dinner, Van and I walked around the area scouting for somewhere to listen to music tomorrow night.
I crashed just after 9:30 pm. Unfortunately, Sharon is now getting sick!
No comments:
Post a Comment