Aran Islands and Cashel

Something that I had wanted to do but did not think I would have time to do was to visit one of the islands. Since I ended up with a bit more time I back tracked to County Clare and caught a ferry from Doolin to Inis Mor, one of the Aran Islands. On the way to Clare I stopped to go to the beach and for a very "bracing" swim. I spent Thursday night at a small port town named Kilrush and stayed in another eerily deserted hostel. The ferry to Inis Mor stopped for one hour at Inisheer, one of the other, smaller Aran Islands. This afforded enough time to clamber round the main sight on the island, the remains of O'Brian's castle. On Inis Mor I hired a bike. I loved cycling round the quiet roads of Inis Mor. In the aftenoon I cycled to Dun Angus, the remains of a 2000 year old fort on the edge of high cliffs. I merrily traipsed along the edge of the cliffs only to read later that tourists had died after being blown off the cliffs. It was another warm day. In the evening I went to the local pub, which happily was holding a beauty contest. It was fascinating to hear Gaelic being spoken on the islands.
On Sunday I caught the ferry back to Doolin and from there headed for Rosslare on the east coast of Ireland. On the way I stopped at the Rock of Cashel, one of the most famous historic sights in Ireland. On the rock are the remains, in varying states of disrepair, a cathedral and a chapel. There is also a round tower, looking like something that Repunzel would have been kept in. The Rock of Cashel:

On the way to Rosslare I stopped at Waterford and had brief look around and McDonalds for dinner. As I had to be up early the next morning to catch the ferry I slept in my car- quite comfortable actually.
This morning I caught the ferry from Rosslare to Pembroke in Wales, from where I am writing this post.