A Grand Day Out

A shite day weatherwise, thick damp mizzle, made worse by rumours of heatwaves across the water, but undetered, we sallied forth on an adventure. Accompanied by TJ, we rendezvoused with our pals Robert and Finola in the car park at Drimoleague. First stop - Manch Cross to await Margaret who had the keys! Margaret arrived, plus keys, and took us to Ballinacarriga castle which was duly unlocked for our pleasure. This castle has a warm place in our family history, for the first time we came over in 1991 this was one of the places we visited (it was mizzling then too). The man in the Post Office held the keys which we asked for and were allowed to explore the then largely unrestored and highly dangerous castle. No 'elf and safety whatsoever. The boys loved it. It's still pretty impressive, sturdily built on the river and inside some wonderful carvings, spiral staircases, barrel roofs and an impressive sheela na gig set high on the outside walls.

Margaret wondered if we knew of the ogham stone in the vicinity. We didn't and she offered to show it to us, taking us off down windy lanes eventually arriving by a house on the edge of forestry. Permission was given to explore. The undergrowth was thick. Sean suddenly arrived with a shovel and began hacking away at the nettles and brambles and the most extraordinary stone appeared (see extra). Not ogham in the opionion of Finola but an inscribed stone - possibly christian. Note the lines and the asterix. More research required here!

A quick coffee and toastie in Dunmanway and refuelled it was my turn to lead everyone astray and off we went across country to check out Inchicurka wedge tomb. Sitting amidst very damp grasses this is a wonderfully intact tomb complete with tons of cup marks on the top slab. Our rock art pals were thrilled.

Still not done, on to Togher tower house - the one above. We asked permission (see how good we're getting) at the house and were told to avoid the bulls and the electric fence and tramp over the fields. A very impressived McCarthy castle right on the river - roughly end of the 16C should you be wondering. We were the most thrilling things the cattle had seen for some time.

Back in Drimoleague we had time to explore the amazing stained glass in the church. Dating from 1950 it shows how the ideal Catholic family should live - here's tea time: father at the head of the family, adoring wife and well-behaved children.

A quick cuppa with TJ overlooking her wonderfully lush and fragrant garden and then home. Damp, wild hair, soggy knees - beans on toast.

Extras: Ballinacarriga castle; sheela na gig; inscribed stone; wedge tomb; curious cattle; stained glass.