The Sunny Side of Ireland: How to see it by the Great Southern and Western RailwayO'Mahony, John
History
The Sunny Side of Ireland: How to see it by the Great Southern and Western Railway
O'Mahony, John
Ireland -- Guidebooks
Salthill, to the west of the town, is a well-sheltered bathing-place,
with pleasant villas for visitors. The Queen's College will repay a
visit. At the bridge in the town excellent salmon fishing is to be had.
When the fish are making up the river for Corrib or Lough Mask the
sight is very interesting. From Galway the old Franciscan Monastery at
Claregalway may be driven to, or an excursion made down the bay to the
Arran Islands. They are twenty-seven miles from the harbour. There are
three principal islands, Innismore, Innismaan, and Innisheen, and
several small isles. Two centuries ago they were described as paved over
with stones, with wide openings between them for cattle to break their
legs, and the modern description by Hon. Emily Lawless does not far
differ.
The dress of the people is mostly white, homespun flannel "bawneens,"
and sandals of cowhide, fastened across the instep, which they call
"pampooties."
[Illustration: _Photo, Lawrence, Dublin._ Queen's College, Galway.]
[Illustration]
Connemara and Sligo.
The Great Southern and Western Railway line runs northward from Tuam to
Sligo. To the westward lies Iar Connaught and Connemara, the capital of
which is Clifden, standing high above Ardhear Bay. If we go direct from
Galway to Clifden we pass Oughterard and the ruins of Aughnanure Castle,
formerly the stronghold of "The furious O'Flahertys." From its Tower we
can get a view of Lough Corrib, with its famous Caislean-no-Circe, long
the lair of Grace O'Malley, of whom the western peasant may say she
"Fought, and sailed, and ruled,
And loved, and made our world."
Oughterard nowadays is given over to fishermen instead of the fighting
followers of the western chieftains. The Connaught Glendalough differs
much from its Leinster namesake, but the Maamturk Mountains and the Glen
of Innagh have a panorama of scenes difficult, indeed, to rival. Clifden
is an excellent centre from which to make excursions. Wherever we look
the Twelve Bens of Bumabeola spring up like uplifted lances. The
coast-line is beautiful, and from the promontories we see distant Slyne
Head and the Isles of the West. Mountain climbers will find on the
summit of Urrisbeg a curious plateau. The district is a good one for
lake and sea fishing.
[Illustration: _Photo, Lawrence, Dublin._ Achill Head Mayo.]
[Illustration: _Photo, Lawrence, Dublin._ Diamond Mountain, Letterfrack.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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