|
Sunday
was a touring day, and the coach ventured west of Galway through
the Connemara
region.
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Galway
Bay in the morning |
|
Driving
through the gentle hills of the Maamturk Mountains and the Twelve
Bens, we were able to see the peat bogs up close.
|
Peat stacked, ready to
be picked up and dried |
|
En route, we stopped at the Connemara Marble factory.
The
old shop, across the road from this newer building, had a peat-burning
fireplace and a warm, inviting aroma.
|
Connemara
Marble factory and store |
|
Mined at the quarry, about 30 miles away, the marble is brought
here for cutting, processing and polishing. Though once used in
construction, particularly as flooring, the Connemara marble is
now used mostly for decorative items, like jewelry and mementos.
|
Marble before cutting and finishing
|
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Along the way, we passed a number of locations
|
Scenic countryside , through the rain |
| used in John
Ford's classic 1952 movie, The
Quiet Man. |
The
Connemara region was featured in "The Quiet Man" |
|
The following three photos show why this area is known
for its constantly changing
skies and subtle colors.
|
Castle
ruins on a lake island |
|
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Rain
and clouds on the road, sun on the horizon |
| |
Stark
beauty of Ireland in autumn |
|
We
finished the day's tour at the Galway
Irish Crystal and Heritage Centre.
|
Galway
Irish Crystal and Heritage Centre
|
| The
Heritage Center featured displays about the 14 Tribes who founded
Galway; the Boatbuilders Workshop with its 100 yr old Hooker, the
traditional Irish fishing vessel, and the Claddagh Village experience,
which examines the life of a unique village outside the ancient city
walls. And, of course, there was a shop featuring some of the hand-crafted
crystal items made in the workshop. |
