Oughterard - one early summer morning

One early summer morning I took my camera, got the bike and took off cycling around Oughterard. 

I love getting up early and cycling about 6 am in the summer is absolutely wonderful. There is still a bit of a chill in the air, birds are singing, and most importantly there is no one out and about yet. The whole town is mine to play with. 

So, that morning I cycled main street and took shots of most of the main buildings and shops, went down Camp street and took the path to the boat house, then all the way to the pier - another one of my favourite places. From there I went up The Bog road, I have written many times about that one, and there are many photos taken there. For me, those are some of the best places in Oughterard. Obviously depending on the season and the weather, which is very important around here.

But let's get back to that early summer morning and have a look at the lovely town of Oughterard. Enjoy the beautiful flower pots everywhere decorating the town windows and the colourful and peaceful cottages. 

Welcome to Oughterard

 

You are welcome to leave a message or comment!! 

Thank you for the visit! 

Follow this link for my latest post about Oughterard with my latest find on main street!!

Aughnanure castle, a trip to the past

Today I have prepared a little trip to the past. A visit to Aughnanure castle in Oughterard. The images are taken with a film camera, the negatives were scanned and treated. Some scratches are present and a bit of graininess but I believe it adds to the charm of the place since the photos are old the castle even older.

Visiting Aughnanure castle is a fabulous day out. There is a lot of old charm, the grounds are very well taken care of and the whole place is in incredible state of repair. The feeling while strolling on the thick green grass and looking at the ancient buildings (originating from the 12th century) is like a trip to the past. The main building is straddling a little river called Drimneen, and is literally build on top of it. The river has cut  intriguing caverns into the stone base under the castle. There is saying that once there was a secret trap door where unwelcome guests could be dropped into the deep waters flowing below the courtyard.

Nowadays, tourist can visit the main building and crawl up the winding stone steps. The views from the top windows is breathtaking.
The images in this post are treated for fun, in the future I will add some images from here because Aughnanure castle can not be described with only a few words and a handful of images. Enjoy the trip to the past.

  

thanks for the visit everyone!

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Exploring summer

Today I propose a change of subject. Instead of places to visit I offer you an insight into the local Irish flora. And what better time than a lovely summer morning when the light is bright and exciting, the colours are glowing and beautiful and the air is rich with fragrant aromas. Imaging you are walking with me on this little country road just out of Oughterard, enjoying the summer and admiring the gorgeous lush vegetation. I snapped at all the flowers I could find in this area and took close ups of some of the trees. 

Have a walk with me. Enjoy 

Laurel leaves

Tutsan

Yarrow

Ragwort

Fool's parsley

Fireweed

More flowers to enjoy

Walking The Golden Mile in Oughterard

Once you are in Oughterard, even though it's such a small village, there are quite  few places you can go, plenty of things you can do. Everyone knows that Oughterard is every fisherman's paradise, if you are into fishing obviously. From here you have access to the Lough Corrib which harbors some of the biggest fish around. I know, because I have seen with my own eye photos of those fish and I know some of those hopelessly devoted fishermen. But since I know nothing about fishing, I can not really help you with more information about that, or tell you the best spots for the biggest fish ( but I do know, it is a very closely kept secret by the way)
But since I am the outdoors type of person, I can help you discover the best places for a good walk or maybe a picnic too.
Right now the summer is at it's best and in a full swing. If you are staying here in Oughterard, there is one lovely little place you can go for a perfect evening walk with the kids or a friend.
This place is The Golden Mile. The start is at the entrance to the waterfall on N59 and it finishes on the Station road. I have selected a few images from the last part of the Golden Mile, just before the Station road end at the Workhouse graveyard. Notice the beautiful dark summer green engulfing everything everywhere. The wonderful ferns that have grown so high this year turn the landscape into a summer jungle. Enjoy this view with me.

My companions, faithfully waiting for me to stop shooting and continue walking finally...