We departed our hotel on the shore of Galway Bay shortly after sunrise for a drive to Londonderry, commonly called just Derry. Passing by a tower house adjacent to the highway our first stop was Knock Shrine, a Roman Catholic pilgrimage site. Next stop Drumcliffe where William Butler Yeats is buried. We crossed into Northern Ireland to see the Belleek Pottery factory located only a few feet over the border. Then through the Blue Stack Mountains and on to Derry.
Looking south across Galway Bay as we head east after our 8am departure from the Connemara Coast Hotel.
Dawn over Galway Bay
One of the good reasons to keep a camera handy is the odd surprising picture worth things that pop up on the country roads of Ireland.
The Old Church Chapel at the Knock Shrine is a rather odd structure with a stone tower looking very out of place sort of grafted on to the body of the church which appears built of concrete blocks.
The High Altar in Knock Parish Church
Knock Parish Church stained glass in memory of Rev. James Angelus Rabbitte.O.Carm
Harry Clarke stained glass window in the Knock Parish Church
The Knock Shrine had some gorgeous raised flower beds.
A small sample of some of the flowers
A small sample of some of the flowers
A small sample of some of the flowers
A good view of the cliffs at the west end of Benbulbin as seen from Drumcliffe.
Irish poet William Butler Yeats' grave at Drumcliffe, County Sligo.
St Columba's Church of Ireland in Drumcliffe built in 1809.
An early remnant of the original monastery this Celtic cross may date back to the 9th Century.
An early remnant of the original monastery this Celtic cross may date back to the 9th Century.
The ruined 10th or 11th century round tower, the only one known in County Sligo, is also a remnant of the original monastery.
Altar of St Columba's Church of Ireland in Drumcliffe with the edge of the pulpit on the left.
The main doors of the Drumcliffe church have interesting bronze swan door handles.
Carved by glaciers into its distinctive profile this is Benbulbin in County Sligo, Ireland as seen from behind the church at Drumcliffe.
Francie Stoutamire Photography
