Neolithic Inishmore and 99's

You’ve all had time to read about the trip to Inishmore.

We’re now in the trap. (the enclosed wagon) being pulled by an over sized Conamara pony named Lady. She wasn’t but that’s another story for another time. We’re on our way to Dun Aengus. For youse who don’t know Dun in Irish means Fort. So we’re off to Fort Angus named after that famous Irish fort owner Angus of the sore, you fill it in. 

Clippidy Hop Cliippidy hop along the way we do the shore road to the Seal colony. Whoopie seals haven't

seen any of them wowzer nows our chance. Uh nope tides in no seals their out what seals do, looking for something to eat. However it is a nice if somewhat cold and wet wagon ride and we payed a 25er each for the privilege.

Hooray we’ve arrived at the main gate to the Neolithic site. OK no fooling you guys, It’s only the obligatory pay before you enter Tourist trap. We pay and then it’s a 1.5 Km walk up to the fort. More like a trudge really but I digress. We eventually arrive at the real main gate and take a bunch of pictures and do some ooing and aawing   then wander around reading the info plaques etc. take some more pictures and head back to the wagon.

They the people who know thing the fort is about 2,000 years old and built atop an older one and is unique being 1 of 3 that have a field of vertically standing stones surrounding 3 sides of the fort. The 4^th side is a vertical drop of about 700 feet to the sea . The stones are proof against horses and would slow down men also. The walls are all dry stone ie no mortar or sticky stuff holding them together. About 6 feet thick. And 10 to 14 feet high 3 walls with ditches between. In other words a whole lot of stones. You should go and see it or google it. Google is cheaper but not so much fun.

Before catching the return cart we went into the bushes to see the remains of an 11^th century church. Slow trip back to town then off for a pint and back to the boat for dinner and a Cribbage tournament. I won in case anyone is interested.

Fri. July 15/16. Everyone slow to rise. A Big breakfast of eggs sausages rashers etc. the dinghied back to shore in the rain for what turned out to be a llllllllllllong walk up to Dun Eochi in the rain and fog. On the way we passed an abandoned Lighthouse and fort called Dun Arainn (stands for dam rain I think). We were the only ones there and in a lot of ways was a nicer site than it’s bigger and more famous Dun Aengus. Did the usual and then started off over the fields towards what looked like and even bigger structure down hill and on the way back sort of to town. We stumbled about in thorn bushes and over stone walls and finally decided on going back the way we had come. We returned to the town went into the spar store for supplies and I bought Mark and myself a 99. We had been teasing mark about 99’s from the time he arrived but wouldn’t tell him what it was. But did tell him he would like it! Can you imagine he didn’t believe us. So Sally distracted him and tried to keep him calm as he was getting a little upset over 99’s while I did the purchase. His back was turned and he was trying to walk away but I caught him and gave him his. He thoroughly enjoyed it. See previous post. Had a pint and back on board.

Sat. July 16/16 the weather is still crap! Went shore anyway walked about the stores Mark bought an Arran Sweater. I resisted.Went back on board and made things ready for a morning departure.