Carrowmore, Strandhill, Sligo, Ireland

Day 12

We met Eamon and Paula in the hotel lobby around noon. They had driven over from Drumnakilly that morning and were staying in a nearby B&B as the Sligo Hotel was full. The plan for the day was to visit Carrowmore, a megalithic burial ground not too far from Maeve's mountaintop tomb. We arrived there in time to join a tour that was about to begin. The docent, as usual, was exceptional. There were tombs, stone circles, and dolmens at this site. The wonder and mystery of these ancient builders never ceases to amaze me. Given the time and the level of technology, these sites are the equal of anything produced today. Extraordinary people producing extraordinary structures.

Afterward, we continued further west out to Easkey, to watch the surfers and walk the beach. We explored the ruins of a deserted Norman keep that must have for centuries functioned as the eyes and ears of the local lord. Now, sadly and slowly the tower is falling apart and will no doubt be nothing more than a large heap of stones in another century or so.

Back at the Sligo Hotel we had dinner in the downstairs restaurant and watched the World Cup soccer match. Since being in Europe, both Carol and I had got caught up in the excitement. Eamon, of course, was an old hand, knowing the intricacies of the sport and explained the various cards and rules as the game progressed. Unfortunately, in this particular match, the USA was defeated by the Ghana team in what I felt was atrocious officiating. Had the playing field been a little more level, I thought team USA stood a good chance of making it to the finals. Oh well, 2014 is not far off.

Later that evening we walked into the old town in search of a pub featuring traditional Irish music. Owing to the late hour, we were not particularly successful. The one establishment we did enter was filled mostly with drunken males and smelled heavily of cigarette smoke and stale beer. Not being a drinker, no matter how good the music, I just could not overcome the environmental hazards necessary to push myself over the threshold. It was a nice walk through town, nonetheless.

Back in the hotel room, I switched on the TV and found Shakira performing in concert. She is one of Carol's favorite acts, so much so, that Carol was inspired to start dancing around the room shaking and spinning, tossing off one article of clothing after another. Much better than any stinking pub.