On the way, we couldn't help but notice so many villages with housing estates where the houses are all built of breeze block and all completely identical. There are very few old houses left anywhere, although we did see a lot of stone ruins of houses and barns. Nearer to Sligo we saw a couple of old style houses with thatched roofs. But we also came upon an enormous estate of identical houses, many of which were empty or incomplete as a result of the economic crisis. I had read about this but it is truly confronting when seen in real life.
In Donegal we explored Donegal Castle, which dates from the 1500s. The plumbing arrangements were a little primitive. Apparently, they were designed so enemy archers could not hit you while you were availimg yourself of the facility.
In Sligo we are staying in a new hotel called the Glass House which bills itself as 'towering dramatically over the Garavogue River, the Glasshouse is the first design hotel of its kind - a glittering beacon of light and colour...' I've included a picture of our room but it doesn't really do justice to the luridness of the decor. The lime green curtains and the carpet are an assault on the senses. But it is very comfortable and smells new. If you look very hard you might notice that there are no bedside lights - just the wires they are meant to connect to. Weird!
On the way to Donegal we passes Benbulbin, (very impressive mountain) and whizzed past Yeats' grave. Sligo is a very vibrant town with lovely narrow streets hugging the river and we will explore it tomorrow before we head for Galway, home of the Keelys.
I've always said that there's nothing worse than an arrow up the clacker.
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