Another favourite on my tour of the area and a Must See…read more The blowhole has always been an attraction and a feature, but has now been made safe by the presence of this wall: allowing the general public to view this wondrous power of nature from the best possible angle - above! The wall and surrounding sculpture happen back in 2002 when world famous Travis Price III, a Washington architect who has come to this rural area to create the latest instalment in what is now a ten year ongoing project for him: the Spirit of Place/ Design which he carries out worldwide. He calls it 'an expedition' that he takes with 15/20 architecture students. They engage in immersing themselves in, what are for them, distant and foreign landscapes. They then attempt to create, for the people of this location, a piece of architecture that marries the cultural metaphors of the landscape with a tribute to contemporary design. His pieces of architecture are modern, with a convenient function, and are an intended to be a tribute to the landscape in which they sit. This piece is titled 'Thin Places' - and is two shrines dedicated to those Lost at Sea. Part of the Tír Sáile - The North Mayo Sculpture Trail is the largest public arts project ever undertaken in Ireland. It entailed the putting in place of fourteen site specific Sculptures along the North Mayo Coast.

We saw a sign on the road - a big impressive sign... "This looks big and impressive" I said "Woo…read moreHoo" Junior said We followed the signs and soon arrived at the castle.. it was a little disappointing on first inspection. "Boo" I said, "That's not a Castle" Junior said. None the less we got out and explored what we could - the castle was locked up for repairs but apparently you can normally go inside and explore a bit. It is apparently the last residence of the famed Irish she-pirate Grace O'Malley/Granuaile - she used to tie the mooring rope of her ship to her toe when she went to bed. The full story is on the pic attached (pic of the plaque)

Clew Bay is an amazingly beautiful place in County Mayo -- 365 islands in one bay! And how kind of…read moreGod to put a mountain right next to it so that one can admire the scene from above without the need for a microlight. However, if God was responsible for putting Croagh Patrick there, I don't think he can have had much of a hand in putting all the loose stones and shingle down the sides of the mountain. It's quite a serious climb (or at least it was to us -- one rather unfit bloke and his wife in well-chosen canvass shoes...), as every time you take one step forward you seem to slide back at least three-quarters of the distance. Some Catholics apparently climb it barefoot; I would hope that medical professionals would check their brains as well as their feet on their return. The place is bursting with history and folklore, much of which is explored in the Visitor's Centre which I'm supposed to be reviewing. The Centre was quite useful -- modern, bright, well-organised (or at least it was when we went several years ago now); but the main attraction was undoubtedly the mountain and the beautiful bay. All in all, the whole area is well worth a visit.