Day 7: The Wild Atlantic Way Begins...

Today was my first day driving the Wild Atlantic Way and WILD it is!

My first planned stop was at Timoleague Friary, which is a Franciscan friary located in Timoleague, County Cork. It was founded in 1240 by either the Anglo Norman de Barrys family or the MacCarthys of Desmond.

The friary is located on the site of an early Christian church dedicated to St Molaga, whose feast day was celebrated down to the seventeenth-century.

Timoleague is one of the few early Franciscan friaries with substantial standing remains. It stands on the banks of the River Argideen overlooking Courtmacsherry Bay. The cellars are located in the east range and were connected directly to the river via an outbuilding. This would have allowed for the safe delivery of goods such as fish to the friary. The fifteenth century tower was inserted later, and is typical of Franciscan bell-towers. The building contains some mysterious wall passages, with tall arches on each side of the choir. Timoleague Franciscan friary is a National Monument.

Next stop was to be the Michel Collins Center but I arrived over an hour too early and decided to save it for a future visit.

The are many Marian grottos that pop up along the side of the road, especially on the outskirts of villages. Lots of goats, sheep, cows, horses and ponies as well, on the sides of the roads and in the roads!

The views really are stunning but if you admire them for more than a second while driving you are likely to wind up in a ditch or off a cliff!

It was worth the drive to Mizen Head, the most southwesterly point of Ireland. The views are magnificent.

I am spending the night at the Westlodge Hotel overlooking Bantry Bay. Before checking in, I walked around the quaint little town which is dedicated to St. Brendan the Navigator. I then toured the Bantry House and gardens. It is a stately home situated on the Wild Atlantic Way. It houses an important private collection of furniture and objects of art. It has been home to the White family since 1739 and was open to the public in 1946. Today visitors can explore the house and formal garden, have tea in the tearoom or even stay the night in the B&B located in the East Wing. The estate is unique since it is still lived in and managed by the family.

After my first full week of travel, I was happy to have a swim and soak in the great hot tub before enjoying some fun Irish music in Hannie Murphy's Pub.

I will continue on the Wild Atlantic Way tomorrow circling the Beara and Iveragh Peninsulas on my way to Killarney, located in the southern part of County Kerry.