Today started a little slow due to our late night adventure(comparatively all right, 11PM is pretty crazy for us) and we didn't get to sleep until midnight. So we roused ourselves at 8:30 and stumbled downstairs to where Geraldine, the lovely hostess, had full Irish breakfast on the way for us. After filling our bellies I picked up some road snacks while Sus packed and showered and by about 10:10 we were off to our first destination.

This was the one I've been waiting for since we decided on Ireland as a destination. Cong. Otherwise known as the location for the filming of the 1951 classic John Wayne movie, The Quiet Man. The town was very small and quaint, most roads were single lane, single direction. The first thing you see when you enter the town proper is Pat Cohan's pub which to my deep displeasure is currently in the process of changing hands so I couldn't go in and ask for "one of those black beers". There was ruins of an old abbey which pleased Sus greatly as it gave her a momentary break from my humming of the theme song and random movie quotes. We saw a couple other notable spots then went into the Quiet Man museum and found out that of the "humble wee cottage" naught but stones remain so sadly we couldn't visit it. With my movie obsession sated we set off for Galway.

Galway itself wasn't overly impressive, a relatively normal working town with a bustling tourist trap old downtown. We parked the car and walked about for a while and Sus managed to find us somewhere to get not ridiculously overpriced Claddagh rings. After that it was back in the car and on to the final stop of the day, Doolin.

Now while yesterday was an eye-opener to driving in Ireland, today we experienced the full deal. The roads throughout the morning weren't any worse really than the day before but once we left the "larger" regional roads for the coast road, things got interesting. I'll give you a couple highlights, approaching a blind corner at 80 only to start turning and realize you're going to share that corner with a transport truck likely going faster, waiting for five minutes while a transport and a tour bus inch their way past each other, and having to reverse so that same transport could reverse past a corner to allow another bus past. To sum it up, The most thrilling driving I've ever done but terrifying at moments. Yet surprisingly few Irish vehicles have dings, explain that to me every driver in Quebec.

The coast road drive was absolutely worth the scare though as it was some of the most beautiful, idyllic image of Irish countryside we've experienced yet. Rock walls, white wash thatched roof cottages, livestock, the smell of peat fireplace and green hills. When I wasn't terrified with both eyes glued to the road it was gorgeous and luckily Sus was capturing it with the camera so I can really enjoy it now.

Doolin was very picturesque upon arrival, only a couple of streets. After settling into our room we walked to McDermotts just a couple houses down and had another fantastic seafood chowder and some more Guinness. We took a walk after the meal towards the water to stretch out our legs and managed to find a wonderful chocolate shop where we indulged ourselves. After we got back we had a quick nap and then went back to the pub for some love music. A pair of gentlemen playing guitar and a range of tin whistles and flute entertained us in a wood fire warmed pub while I drank Guinness and I must say, there's not much that makes me happier.

It's off to bed for us now as we've got a good day of driving tomorrow, what google maps says is three and a half hours but in my recent experience means five more likely. We'll post again from Baltimore and until then, slainte.