Ballycroy National Park then Belmullet - 9 May 2023

9 May 2023 - Ballycroy & Belmullet

Happy Liberation Day - hope you’ve all enjoyed it 😊

Finished yet another book last night, and slept well with the roar of the Atlantic sending me to sleep…

Had a bit of a slow start this morning, as it was pouring with rain - so not motivated to get going!

Went food shopping before leaving Achill island. This travel lark is very needy, either Dave needs servicing, gas or fuel, or we need fuel!

Lots of sheep in the road again!

Tintin felt cheated as he didn’t drive for long yesterday - so drove again today.

First stop was the Ballycroy Visitor centre at Wild Nephin National Park (15,000 hectares of Atlantic blanket bog, forest and mountainous terrain).

They had some videos of various people explaining life in the 1930s, must have been hard work cutting the peat bogs! One woman was talking about boxty - “Boxty is a traditional Irish dish that is typically made from grated or finely mashed potatoes, flour, and buttermilk. It is often described as a type of potato pancake or potato bread. The name "boxty" is derived from the Irish phrase "bacstaí arán," which means "poor-house bread."

Then went for a 2km walk. Felt like we were at the bottom of a basin with mountains all around.

The delicate white flower is bog bean. The picture of the bog cotton isn’t so good - was too windy!

Once again, various notice boards which I took a photo of in case anyone is interested.

A photo of the photographer taking a photo!

I’d been trying to get good photos of all the rhododendrons that are just starting to bloom. The lady in the visitor centre said they’re trying to eradicate them, as they’re taking over all the natural plants. They were introduced in the 1700s, and they have to be poisoned by injecting into the leafs…

The lady also suggested the Claggan Mountain Coastal Trail - that was a 10 minute drive back to where we’d already driven by!

The weather was still kind and not raining, but so windy! It was fascinating to see the peat right down to the beach. Could also see ancient pine stumps. It’s strange walking on the stones, as some of them are boingy as they must have peat underneath. Had the same at Connemara too. Incidentally, the lady had worked there too, and explained how all the stones right up to the peak had all been helicoptered in!

Was chuffed to get better photos of the ringed plover using Tintin’s camera. Sometimes it’s the little things that count!

Tintin then drove for about another 45 minutes to the dubious sounding Belmullet. Went for a wander around - not an especially salubrious place! However, being tourists we had an ice cream despite it not really being the weather for it! They were only €1.70 each - and huge - very good value.

Bit annoyed I cut off some of the information about the Blacksod granite - good to know that some is in the House of Commons.

The roads were surprisingly good. The lady at the visitor centre said that both Co Mayo and Co Sligo are slightly off the tourist track - so good for us! Maybe the roads aren’t abused by too much traffic? Anyway, probably jinxed it now - due to go on possibly smaller roads tomorrow.

Park4nignt said there’s a very good pub near here, the landlord is also an undertaker - maybe tonight will be our first evening outing to a pub - although have done a quick reccy - doesn’t look much! Plus it’s now raining again.