Ireland Day 6

Wednesday was much different than Monday and Tuesday--and warmer, too. Though I've caught a cold and have a sore throat. Nothing horrible, just irritating, but as I write this Thursday morning I can feel it's dropping into my chest.

We went to Cong, which is where most of the movie The Quiet Man was filmed. If you haven't seen this movie yet, you should. It very funny and has what was the longest fight scene in film history in it.

We were planning to go to the Ashford Castle, but it was closed until 4 p.m. We found out in Cong that it was because Prince Albert of Monaco was visiting. He's the son of the late actress, Grace Kelly, whose Irish ancestors were from the area. We left before he came.

Cong is a pretty little community and has some beautiful trails and Abbey ruins, so we took a hike.

You can see swans in the distance building a nest.

Then we went to the Cong Abbey ruins.

 Ruins across the street from the Abbey.

 And next door. We think this was the Abbey guest house.

 It was getting a little cold, so we stopped at the Hungry Monk Cafe and had some soup and hot chocolate.

This car is owned by a serious fisherman.  Check the the fishing rod attached to the car.

Our next stop was to the Ross Errilly Friary ruins. I think one of the things that's really staggering about this place (besides its size and good condition) is that it's been abandoned longer than the U.S. has been a nation.

There was even a rainbow for us as we were leaving.