Every day seems to be better than the day before….how lucky can I be? Today I decided to head inland  to the village of Cong, County Galway. It’s about 90km from where I am staying.

On the way I took a detour to the ruins of Clifden Castle…in hindsight, I think one is meant to walk the 1.5 miles from the road to the castle. The road/path was a challenge…no way in hell two cars could pass, I only realised this halfway in….by then it was too late to try and reverse. Was an experience to say the least….but luckily all’s well that ends well and I did not encounter the bull! The ruins were well worth the visit.

I have wanted to see Cong since I read the Dark Witches trlogy and it exceeded my expectations. An added bonus which I didn’t know anything about, is that Cong was the setting for a very famous John Wayne movie called the Quiet Man….I will now have to watch it.

The scenery on route was beautiful, as usual, and I stopped in Cong and parked at the old church. I started walking around a bit and then realised I was only a mile from Ashford Castle, so I walked there. A beautiful walk that brings you in accross the bridge. There is a footman at the entrance who directs visitors. You can only access inside the building, which is a now a hotel, if you are having lunch or tea or are staying over. Normally one has to booked in advance. Luckily for me there was an opening and I could have high tea. So inside for me…and it is every bit as spectacular inside as it is outside. Opulence in the extreme, which I guess one would expect at €550 per night! The tea was fabulous and decadent and completely unbanting friendly! Yes….I had tea!

After that I went for a bit of a walkaround, access to upstairs is only for hotel residents. I saw some of the cleaners heading up and they were struggling with a bag. I picked it up and carried it upstairs for them, much to their amusement. When we got upstairs, I asked if I could see a room….they were more than happy to let me in. It was breathtaking…the furniture, the bathroom, the view. Most amazing, is that it is owned by a South African company and is part of the Red Carnation group.

I walked around the gardens and then chatted to John the footman again, he asked about where I am from, why I am in Ireland etc…told him I am here to travel and then see the Boss. He plutzed….said he was so sad he never got a ticket cos they were sold out. I told him I have an extra one for the Friday night…well he seems seriously keen. He lives in Galway and says he will meet me on Saturday to buy ticket. Keen to see if he is serious….not too worried, cos I know I will sell it when I get to Dublin.

After the castle gardens I headed back into town. Wandered through the Cong Abbey and church….mostly ruins and then walked the nature trail. I drove around the area and have decided that I would choose to live in Cong if I ever came to live in Ireland.

The drive back via Partry along various lochs and farmyard scenes was beautiful. I kept thinking….that is the house I will buy!. Cong has matched up to my imagination in every way! Just didn’t manage to find a witch! Ah well next time I guess.

Once I got home, the boring stuff had to be done, put a load of washing in and then went out for supper. My favourite meal so far…crab and potato cake with salad, followed by a toffee pudding!  I am on the wagon today…so no pub crawling tonight!

Today was NOT a banting day….the only thing in my favour is that I walked 16238 steps. I am now busy packing up and preparing for two nights on Inishmor Island.

Leprechauns = 0

Fairies = 0

High tea = 1

In the Clifden Castle ruins

I was very wary

Clifden Castle

Inside Ashford Castle

Lemonade with a champagne froth to start

High tea part one

Side view of Ashford castle

The back staircase

In one of the rooms

Ashford Castle

Cong Abbey ruins

On the nature walk

John Wayne with Maureen O’Hara

Crab and potato cake

Sticky toffee pudding