Day 360, 7 June '15, Mullaghmore Head, Parkes Castle, Sligo Abbey, Achill Islands & Stunning Keem Bay, into the Connemara at Westport, views of Kylemore Abbey across the water and on to Clifden before finally stopping for the night in Roundstone - quite a long day on the road.

Actually that would be an understatement. We did a cracking job planning this roadtrip from Marrakech, but must admit 11 days instead of 8 would have been better to cover everywhere we wanted to go. We started the day at Mullaghmore Head and oohed and aahed at Classiebawn Castle in the distance. Once in the Mountbatten family it is now in private hands. Shame. Moving on out we carried on to Sligo and waved our magic "get in free" cards (AKA: Heritage Cards) at Parke's Castle. This is a well restored Irish Towerhouse on the shores of a stunning lake - really enjoyed the guided tour including the sauna. That's right, a rock hot house set into the shore of the lake going back hundreds of years - very common in County Leitrim apparently. Next stop, just because we could, Sligo Abbey. The magic cards are paying for themselves already - up to €32 in value so far. Heritage visits accomplished, the priority today was heading out to the Achill Islands (all bridges, no ferries). Glad we went but boy it was a long drive there. And back. We sat at stunning Keem Bay for our bacon sandwiches, fruit and coffee. There were even people (ok... children) in the water. They were in wetsuits, but still. Back from Achill it was through Westport and the gateway to the Connemara. We visited this area a couple of years ago in Autumn and it was just as stunning this time round. Our favourite spot in the Connemara was Roundstone which we discovered on a day trip. This time we decided to make it our destination for the night and it was grand - we even snagged a four poster bed which was a novelty. We stayed at the Bogbean B&B and Cafe which was a bonus as we had our breakfast in the cafe the next morning - and eating out is always a novelty. Also the first cappuccino we've had in months. (Note to selves: just need to hang out til Spain where posh coffee shop coffees start at €1... not €3!)