Connemara

Lens Artists Photo Challenge #78 – Special Spot Shots

Mei-Mei15 Comments

During our 8 day trip through Ireland with the Vagabond crew, my mom and I got to stay at a few truly unique places, including…a castle!  We spent a night at the beautiful Ballynahinch Castle in Connemara, and it was one of the nicest hotels I’ve ever stayed in.

There is so much character to Ballynahinch.  The rooms all have names; we were in “Caislean Lough,” which I think means Loch Castle.  Here’s the view from our window.

The original house was built in 1756 as an inn.  The current hotel manages to blend old and new perfectly, with lovely modern conveniences as well as historical charm.  We were so charmed we didn’t even mind carrying our luggage up the stairs!

The grounds are absolutely beautiful and I wish we had had more time to explore them.  If you love the outdoors, this is the place for you.

You can find more special spot shots at the original Lens-Artist challenge.

 

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #56: Seascapes and/or Lakeshore

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Killary Harbour is Ireland’s only fjord, which technically is neither a sea nor a lake, but it still makes for a cool-looking waterscape.  The fjord was made by a glacier on its way to the Atlantic ocean.  Even with the clouds it was a lovely sight.  There was even a pair of swans floating around, and some decorative landscaping spelling “Fáilte” or “welcome.”

You can find more seascapes at the original Lens-Artist challenge.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Place in the World

Mei-Mei6 Comments

From Connemara, Ireland.

 

The view from the back of Ballynahinch Castle has a way of making you feel like everything is all right in the world.  Everything from the majestic Ballynahinch River to the smallest cluster of violas seems to fit perfectly.

Nature and culture in harmony, you see, Lizzy. Wildness and artifice, and all in the one perfect county. –Mr. Gardiner, Pride and Prejudice (1995)

Ok, so Mr. Gardiner was talking about Derbyshire, but I think the same idea applies here 🙂

Weekly Photo Challenge: Place in the World

Weekly Photo Challenge: Tour Guide

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From Connemara.

We had the most excellent tour guide on our Vagabond tour of Ireland.  Traveling small in the Vagatron (seen above) let us do all kinds of spontaneous things.  For example, our guide simply pulled over on the side of the road in Connemara, and we all got out to look at a peat bog firsthand.  I can’t remember which mountains those are in the background; there are a lot of mountains in Connemara.  It’s a beautiful place to see up close.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Tour Guide

Weekly Photo Challenge: Ascend

Mei-Mei2 Comments

From Ballynahinch Castle, Connemara.

One of the best parts of our tour of Ireland was staying in some beautiful hotels, including Ballynahinch Castle in Co. Galway.  In addition to having great views and food and the most comfortable bed of the trip, it also had some cool architectural details, like this awesome staircase.  We got to lug our suitcases up and down this, and I didn’t mind at all.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Ascend