Trip to Ireland

Day 3 - Cabra Castle to Lough Eske, Donegal - Saturday, November 12


Can't believe we slept until almost 8:30. Got up and out quickly and on the road. Some of the highways were better today but there were still enough that were way too narrow. We made a stop in Kesh and found a cute Irish Pub. It was only 11 and no one else was in May Fly Pub but the owner, Garry, was very nice. He said they had breakfast all day and we asked for a typical Irish breakfast. He brought us an egg, bacon, 2 big sausage, beans, tomatoes, mushrooms, Irish potatoes, toast and tea for about $8 each. He also gave Ron a polo shirt with the Pub name and some posters- Garry is a rally racer.  When Ron went to pay we realized that we were in Northern Ireland. There was no signage or anyway of knowing that we had crossed over the line. They say that this is very different from the guarded entry points that used to exist. We went on to the Lough Eske Castle and arrived ok except the last 2 miles were on a road (I shouldn't even call it that) that was so narrow that 2 cars could not pass each other- there were pull offs periodically. The castle is gorgeous though and it is decorated for Christmas and definitely festive. Our room was ready and we got settled in and then took a walk. There was a boardwalk that gave us views of the lake and a trail by the celtic cross. We got our 10,000 steps in.  We went back to the room for a bit and then went to the bar lounge for some drink and food. We enjoyed more soup and a fish platter with calamari, salmon, shrimp cocktail, and cod fingers. It was wonderful. Then we went to the bar, had a cup of tea and listened to the music. It wasn't traditional Irish music but American, easy listening 70's. Lovely evening though. This is a five-star hotel and definitely our favorite of the trip. It's history dates back to the1400's but like most it was reconstructed in the 1860's and renovated after a fire in 1939.

Views of the Irish 
Countryside



A pub in Kesh


Typical Irish breakfast
  

  
A lane that leads to the Castle

Views of Lough Eske Castle









Out for a hike






Great food

And delicious soups


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