Day One - Shannon to Doolin

Car hire ( not rental ) put us in a Nissan stick shift that barely contained all our luggage. We slammed down the trunk and it would have been away we go, but someone remembered the camera in the trunk and then when we went to open it - it wouldn’t. End result - instant upgrade before we left the parking lot to a standard Mercedes.

And we were off - quite awkwardly with Jerome behind the wheel. Luckily the first road from Shannon to Gort was a 4-lane divided highway, so Jerome had a bit of practice without oncoming interruption. We stopped in Gort at the place with the placards advertising all day food - but it wasn’t open - Sunday morning. A lovely local stopped us on the street and directed us to ……. And our Irish breakfast adventure began. David and Jerome with the traditional including both white and black pudding.

We girlfriends can't believe we are finally in Ireland!

Gort made it to the itinerary because is near Coole Park, home of the famous Lady Gregory and W. B. Yeats “wild Swans at Coole” fame. Very informative film and a rainy, blustery stroll to the lake and through the gardens to see the famous autograph tree.

Entrance to Coole Park

Tree lined park