The Burren and the Poet

The music in Kinvara, at Keogh's, was fabulous. Ten musicians made the tiny room crowded already, and it was standing room only for a while, but it was free, except for the glass of Guiness. A guy named Billie Carr seemed to be the senior member, and it was an informal gathering, a jam session. He played a squeezebox and spoons, others played fiddles, mandolin, guitars, the Irish drum, flute, pipe, and irish bagpipes.

I met a few of the locals there, quite friendly and talkative. I plan to go again tonight, maybe a different place. Saturday night means even more choices.

I took the hostel bike yesterday and explored the closer part of the burren, which is hills of limestone full of ancient building and grave sites, and now a national park. The tallest hill is only about 1000 feet, but the views from there are spectacular. I took some pictures from part way up, then the battery died, but you can get the idea.

Several houses- and a hotel in Kinvara- have new thatched roofs. It seems to be a growing trend, and it really is beautiful. The Merriman Hotel in Kinvara is one of the largest buildings anywhere with a thatched roof.

I am reading a small book on Yeats, who spent a lot of time in this area, and was a visitor in this house (Doorus House) in the 1890's, talking with Lady Gregory about starting a theater company in Dublin. Yeats lived from 1865 to 1939. I think I mentioned earlier about visiting his grave up near Sligo, where he spent a lot of his younger years. It is just coincidence that I find myself on his trail. Or is it?

I am slowly learning the hostel management business, but business is even slower... A few people each night, would be more interesting if it was busy I think. A few hours of cleaning each day, and check ins in the evening- not too strenuous. I am thinking of renting a car for a while, as the bike has issues, or I do with the hard seat it has, and there is much more to see and do that is just out of reach. After practicing riding a bike on the left side of the road, I have a little more confidence I could drive on the left without total brain freeze.

Mostly, this place is really laid back, and I do have lots of time- so far I have nothing else planned and can stay here til I go home if I so wish. I have to admit that the appeal of making more moves to more strange places has lost some of it's luster. For now.

I have booked a flight from Dublin- which is half the price than from any other city in Europe- to return to Utah on July 20. So I'm thinking from now on it is just a matter of learning all I can about Counties Galway and Clare.