Inishmurray, Glen Colmcille, Co. Donegal, Ireland
This morning’s landing was on the low-lying island of Inishmurray. From the ship we could see the ruins of the old cottages sitting amongst fields of beautiful bluebells and the hosts of fulmar, black-backed gulls and other birds scattered along the shoreline. On shore, however, we discovered the incredible remains of the old monastic site which sits nestled snuggly inside a high, circular stone wall. Here are some examples of the finest early Celtic Christian architecture to be found in Ireland. The carpet of bluebells lent an air of colour to the otherwise gray stone walls, but the importance of this place and its air of sanctity was what stuck in our memories.
During lunch the ship repositioned to the little village of Killybegs where coaches awaited to take us to the folk-village of Glen Colmcille on the rugged Donegal coast. In this secluded little bay are nestled several thatched cottages which have been reconstructed to show what they were like during several different ages of history. Local guides explained what life was like in this remote part of Ireland, an area that is still little visited by tourists.
Back in Killybegs our final stop in Ireland was finished in fine style with some excellent traditional Donegal music – fiddle, uillean pipes, guitar, bodhran and singing – performed by local lads in the comfort of the ship's lounge. Co. Donegal has long had a reputation for fine traditional music and these local musicians kept that flag flying high.
This morning’s landing was on the low-lying island of Inishmurray. From the ship we could see the ruins of the old cottages sitting amongst fields of beautiful bluebells and the hosts of fulmar, black-backed gulls and other birds scattered along the shoreline. On shore, however, we discovered the incredible remains of the old monastic site which sits nestled snuggly inside a high, circular stone wall. Here are some examples of the finest early Celtic Christian architecture to be found in Ireland. The carpet of bluebells lent an air of colour to the otherwise gray stone walls, but the importance of this place and its air of sanctity was what stuck in our memories.
During lunch the ship repositioned to the little village of Killybegs where coaches awaited to take us to the folk-village of Glen Colmcille on the rugged Donegal coast. In this secluded little bay are nestled several thatched cottages which have been reconstructed to show what they were like during several different ages of history. Local guides explained what life was like in this remote part of Ireland, an area that is still little visited by tourists.
Back in Killybegs our final stop in Ireland was finished in fine style with some excellent traditional Donegal music – fiddle, uillean pipes, guitar, bodhran and singing – performed by local lads in the comfort of the ship's lounge. Co. Donegal has long had a reputation for fine traditional music and these local musicians kept that flag flying high.
