Travel: September 2004 Archives
This summer we vacationed in Ballina, County Mayo in the Republic of Ireland. We took many wonderul trips to remote and stunningly beautiful places. To the north and west of Ballina stretches the unspoilt north coast of Co. Mayo, wonderfully wild and remote. Not to be missed here is the spectacular view from Downpatrick Head where the Atlantic has gouged a huge bay from the mighty cliffs, their summits scoured of all vegetation except grass by the ceaseless ocean winds. The air is full of wheeling birds: terns, gulls, skuas, razorbills and the rather less active puffins. Look out for the puffing holes that spew out tall columns of sea spray when the weather is rough. The most spectacular of these is called Poulnachantinny. It was created, apparently, when St Patrick was fighting with the Devil. The saint landed such a fearsome blow with his crozier that Old Nick was driven clear through the rock and into the sea beneath. In the course of this mighty scrap they also detached part of the headland. Now known as Doonbristy, this lone stack of rock is crowned by an old ruined fort. On the Head itself, a plaque commemorates those who lost their lives in the aftermath of the 1798 rebellion.
This bridge is near my house in Charlestown. The two tall pillars resemble the Bunker Hill Monument.
