Sunday 15th June 2008

Returned yesterday after 12 days in Ireland. Largely achieved what we wanted to do in our time there. Most of the time was either taken up by long walks or long drives between areas we intented to walk in. After landing at Rosslare on Monday (2nd) we drove across Ireland to Killarney for 3 nights with the specific intention of walking to the summit of the highest mountain in Ireland - Carrantouil(1039m) on the Ineragh Pen. in Kerry near where we were camping. A warm up walk of 5 hours on the previous day sorted the legs out for the major event the horseshoe walk up Carrantouil & the two next highest - Baenkeragh & Caher. Very impressive views from the top with as it is Ireland a large metal cross on Carrantouil(see picture). No real problems apart from an exposed ridge scramble and a short hailstorm.

The following day travelled to Galway where we walked up a few of the Twelve Bens of Connemara and Paul got stung badly by the most voracious midges in Ireland at the campsite in Clifden. On then via a night in Sligo and a trip around Donegal and into Northern Ireland (our first visit) to stay two nights at Bushmills. Those drinkers amoungst you will have heard of Bushmills whiskey so a distillery tour was called for followed by the tourist trail to visit the Giant's Causeway which was very impressive. Another highlight of the trip was the following days walk along the North Antrim coast from the crossing of the Carrick-A-Rede rope bridge back to Bushmills. Wonderful coastal scenery and almost worth the trip alone.

The last few days were spent in the Mountains of Mourne where we did our longest walk which included Northern Ireland's highest - Slieve Donard (849m). Enjoyed the province - the only downsides were sights of misplaced patriotic symbols and the wind. Oh it was ever so windy.We were surprised by the amount of security at Belfast before we could get on the ferry especially as customs checks in the republic were minimal and between the two parts of Ireland non-exsistant. It delayed the sailing and made a very long day. Memo: avoid Norfolk Line ferries.