Westport

After leaving Ennis we traveled to Westport, what I would call a destination town.  Prices are higher and the streets are crazy crowded (all 6 of them) I’m sure things will settle down once all the tourists’ have gone, but it’s also on the coast and seemed to be a few degrees cooler and wetter most of the time.

They seem to have lots of various festivals throughout the year.  We were there for the flower festival, held at the church and all were for sale, not just cut flowers, but plants too.   OH MY, the Irish do love their flowers, and the flowers love Ireland.  Everywhere you go, no matter what type of building, bridge or business – they’ve all got flowers.  Even the Garda (police) station has flowers. 

We enjoyed our stay at the Rise and Shine B&B, hosted by Emer and Pepe, and Ann. They are a very interesting group of people.  Pepe is from Tulum Mexico and Emer is native Irish.  They met while working in Tulum and opened a restaurant.  After a few years they closed the restaurant, moved to Ireland and turn her childhood home into a B&B.  They became engaged while we were there and shared their joy with us.  Ann has two boys and works as the housekeeper, cook, host, all around everything during the day.  All super attentive and gracious, great story tellers and now, good friends.

Pepe and Emer

Each night we'd walk back to the B&B and we were met by these two wonderful white dogs, but they would go no further than their driveway. Even though they didn't mind laying around in the street. Silly, well trained, pups.

We went out to dinner at La Frarina, yummy Italian restaurant.  I asked about their wines and the waiter asked another server to come over to assist claiming the other gentleman was the 'wine expert', because he was only 17 and did not drink.  You KNOW I had to ask about that. We talked about minors, laws, school, he was very open and friendly and just as curious about the US and our rules.   Turns out his parents own the restaurant.

Lachlan and Anthony

It was our intent to possibly settle in Westport, but soon discovered it’s too far north and too much a vacation spot.   It’s a fun little town with lots of shops (and flowers) right along the coast.  There is much to see from this point whether you drive north or south.    It was also our intent to climb Croagh Patrick, but I think we’ll leave that for a wee bit later when I could actually make it up and back.  Need to buy me self a good Shillelagh first. 

PHOTO ALBUM #1
PHOTO ALBUM #2