Western Ireland Tour, Day 3:  Connemara to Sligo

Despite some mild fatigue after our night on Arainn, we were quickly revitalized by our drive northward through the Connemara countryside.  Connemara, the region of northwest Galway, is wild, rugged, and mountainous.  Our drive took us through Joyce's Country, past the Twelve Bens mountains, near the holy mountain of Croagh Patrick, then into Westport, Co. Mayo, for lunch.  Our final destination this third day was the Yeats countryside of Sligo, and the mere anticipation kept us moving.

The rugged mountains of Connemara

Croagh Patrick, Ireland's holy mountain.  St. Patrick is said to have spent 40 days here in prayer and fasting in 441 A.D.  Today, countless pilgrims walk each year to the mountain top (about 2,500 feet high) along the pilgrim trail, visible on the mountain's right side.

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