Ashford Castle

Today we left Galway and drove to Cong where we boarded a boat for lunch and to take us to Ashford castle.  They bill this as the highlight of the trip - and it certainly is.  It reminds me of some of the palaces we stayed in India.

This is lunch.  The boat captain is giving us the history of Ashford Castle and the lady next to him is our tour guide, Clodagh (pronounced Clow-dah).

Our first view of Ashford Castle.

Arriving at Ashford Castle - led across the bridge by a (Scottish) piper.

To the entrance....

And this is our group arriving.

then we went walking towards the village - it reminded me of walking in Spain, except just more Irish.

and saw a swan two cygnets.

We spend one night here, and are on the road tomorrow at 11am for Dublin.  Our hotel there will be a considerable let-down after this experience!