Taking only photographs – leaving only footprints
The local town to Clew Bay is Newport so we decided to have a quick look around at the shops which we had driven past as we headed toward Bartraw Beach. The river in the photo below is the Brown Oak River which flows right through the towns centre.
Coming all this way from home to the west coast of Ireland I was determined to actually see the coast line. I knew that it would be open crystal clear waters or tropical white sandy beaches but I was pleasantly surprised at the natural beauty at Clew Bay (and I’m not just talking about Claire). The views looking up at Croagh Patrick one way and then out towards the bay where quite magical. We stopped at Bartraw Beach – I wanted to go swimming but it was getting a little late and the water was very cold. Clew Bay is famous for its 365 islands and its unspoiled coastline.
When doing a spot of pre-travel research I came across one distinct place to go and visit in county Mayo – Ballintubber Abbey. It is a royal abbey founded by King Cathal Crobdearg O’Connor in 1216. It is evidently the only church in Ireland founded by an Irish king that it still regularly used. Actor James Bond Pierce Brosnan was married here and the abbey marks the beginning of Tochar Phadraig which is the ancient pilgrimage route to Croagh Patrick 18 miles away.
This evening I took a short trip around the shore of Lough Mask to the location of The World Cup – no, not the football one (or soccer as it is referred to in this part of the world) but a fishing contest, and a pretty serious one. It starts tomorrow and lasts till Monday. I would guess there were about 200+ fishing boats, I’m not sure how many people will fit in each boat but I should imagine 5 or 6 people could get into each boat. The prize is what looks like a new boat, motor for the boat and I presume some sizeable amount of cash. There weren’t many people around but I will be sure to come back one evening to watch the boats come back to shore and check out their catches.