An hour crossing by ferry from The Burren. Not a Washington State type ferry, but more a converted trawler or purse seiner. The Happy Hooker, a double entendre for sure, is named for a type of traditional fishing boat used in Galway Bay.
The weather was unsettled the day we arrived, but as you will see from pictures, day 2 was much better. It has been funny weather in Ireland this spring. It isn't the rain or drizzle that is the challenge, it is the wind which has been coming out of the north (the Beast of the North) rather than the prevailing westerlies. And it is bone chillingly cold. Lower 50s for a daily high instead of the usual 60's that we were hoping for.
The island is about 20 km long, and the highlights are the ruins - multiple churches and a couple of forts, one of which was built in 11 BC.
The monks of the early orders of the Catholic church felt that the more desolate a location, the better to meditate and know the Lord. So these islands, very isolated, were a coveted destination. And it seems every one of them built a church, now a ruin.
And then there are the walls. Walls, walls, everywhere.
The island is 20 km long but is estimated to have over 3000 miles if walls. Walls serve 3 purposes.
A place to put the stones cleared from the land.
To mark property boundaries. And until recently you were required to wall any new land purchase not walled already. So these walls define individual ownership.
To provide protection from the relentless wind.
The walls are purposely built like a sieve to avoid being blown over by the wind. It is more common that a wall would be damaged by livestock.
Tomorrow back to the mainland and north to Connemara.
More trip pictures are archived at: https://photos.app.goo.gl/i3Wq9Epv9sqDXb5w6
