County Clare (not Clare County) is directly west of Dublin and resides on the Atlantic Ocean. It is home to the famous Cliffs of Moher as well as the terrain known as the Burren. The landscape in County Clare is quintessentially Irish - rolling hills, green fields spotted with cows and sheep, piles of ruins and miles of rock walls. It was there that I felt I was in Ireland.
Our first stop in County Clare was to the Cliffs of Moher. They were magnificent.The Cliffs are home to loads of birds including Atlantic Puffins. If you ever visit make sure to bring your binoculars! I was terribly disappointed to have forgotten ours. It is also possible to see the Aran Islands from the Cliffs.
The Cliffs are in the running to be selected as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. We were given a postcard at the Visitors' Center to send in to vote for The Cliffs. Read more about it here. You can even cast a vote! The winners will be announced in 2011.
The Visitor Center at The Cliffs is particularly interesting. It reminded me of the Teletubbies' House as it was tucked into the hillside. It has an exhibit about The Cliffs with pictures and information about the wildlife in the area. There is also a cafe and, of course, a large gift shop.
There are many darling little towns in Clare County - Doolin, Lisconner (where we stayed,)and Lahinch to name a few. We toodled around the beach area in Doolin and were just awe-struck by the terrain underfoot. Take a look -
There are many darling little towns in Clare County - Doolin, Lisconner (where we stayed,)and Lahinch to name a few. We toodled around the beach area in Doolin and were just awe-struck by the terrain underfoot. Take a look -
The last area we visited in Clare County, The Burren, warrants its own post. Check back soon.
9 comments:
It is my life long dream to see a puffin in the real life - wild!!! Awesome!!! I am so happy for you guys that you are having such fun!!!
I'm glad you got to see all of that. I have been to all of those places several times over the years and indeed they are amazing.
County Clare is where my family (one branch anyway) comes from. Thank you for sharing your visit!
The visitor center reminds me of the one in Anza
borrego Desert state park...it is also underground.
as it helps keep things cool...hmmm mom
The visitors center hasn't always been there. There use to be a little house sitting on the side of the cliffs. Just love that area.
Se7en - We didn't see a puffin. So wishing we did. Must bring binoculars! We did see herons, though.
Millie - I have a few questions for you. 1) Why are the sheep spray painted? 2) Do you know what these nets (see picture) were for? We saw them in Doolin.
McG - I sincerely hope you go there someday, Carrie. It is so beautiful. You'll be proud to be a McG! :)
Mom - Yes, I remember now. Maybe there is a trend toward this type of construction.
Likeschocolate - what year did you visit? I think the visitor's center is relatively new. Was the stone fence there when you visited?
Hi Katy, I can't see any photo of nets, sorry, I can't help with them.
As for the sheep..
Either they are on common grazing ground and mixing with other flocks and each farmer would have their own mark to tell whose sheep are whose
or
If the paint was on their bottoms, it is because the ram wears a harmess with a slab of waxy paint attached to it, and when he mates with the ewes it leaves a patch of paint on their bum. That way the farmer knows which ones are likely to be pregnant.
Also in the spring the farmers also spray paint the ewes with a number and the lambs with the same number, in case they get separated. This paint washes away soon after though and like I say it's only in spring.
Thanks Millie! Now I wish I would have paid more attention to where the sheep were painted! Sorry about the link, just for got to include it. Here it is:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24813922@N04/4999426380/
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions!
Very, very cool!
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