Day 13 - Kilkee and Kilbaha

 Day 13 - Kilkee and Kilbaha

Kilkee Cliffs

Today is Sunday, so I started out with my usual cultural experience of going to Mass. Fr Des was on again this morning. Something that I think is unique to Ireland is the Months Mind Mass. Apparently its a tradition to pray for whoever has died after one month. So today we prayed for a lady and she certainly got a big mention. I think Fr Des might have mentioned her and her family (including in-laws, outlaws, grandparents, family tree etc) at least half a dozen times. There's good value in a months mind Mass! But we still managed to be out in half an hour!

So, next was the usual walk along the beach before I had my coffee at Val's.

I think the surfing school was out this morning...

Surf School at Lahinch beach

The weather has turned for the best, and it was a beautiful day today. Blue skies and warm. So I thought I might take a little jaunt somewhere. 

Before I left Perth, I was chatting to Teresa  Keane, a St Joseph Sister from South Perth. (also sister of Betty Keane!) She is from County Clare also and I asked her if she had anyone she would like me to visit. She mentioned her niece in Kilbaha, so that was my destination today.

Map - Lahinch to Kilbaha

I was aiming to stop at Kilkee and have some lunch there. I've been there a few times previously and always had the vegetable soup and soda bread - not that I'm predictable!!!

I always go to the Stella Maris hotel

Stella Maris Hotel

However, sad but true, they didn't serve food until 12.30 and I arrived at 12 noon. So I thought I would potter over to the Kilkee cliffs, which are just out of town, and they are magnificent!! It was the perfect day for it, as the sun was out and the sky and sea were both vivid blue.

Here's a sample of the pics I took... I was careful not to go too close to the edge, and the ground was still pretty wet, but that's the best I could do...

Kilkee Cliffs

Kilkee Cliffs

Kilkee Cliffs

I asked a lady to take a pic of me and we had quite a chat. She was from The Netherlands, and they were staying in Inagh. She was surprised that I was travelling on my own... I often get that reaction!!!

Moira at Kilkee Cliffs

All up, that took about an hour, so then I was ready to have my soup and soda bread

Soup and Soda Bread at Stella Maris Hotel

Actually, if you ever go back over my last couple of blogs, you will see almost identical photos - even sitting at that same table!!! As I said, there's no way I am predictable!!!

So now I was ready to continue my journey. Given it was a Sunday, the traffic was unusually light. Just as well, because the Irish roads are not built for passing, and if you get stuck behind a slow coach, you just have to wait. But I actually had a lovely drive, with beautiful scenery all around. 

Eventually I arrived at Kilbaha (pronounced Kil - bar - ha). Sadly it was a bit of a bad day to come, as there were Curragh races on the bay, and there was apparently an antique car rally ending in Kilbaha, and they also were bringing the All Ireland cup into town, so it was all happening.

Curragh races at Kilbaha

The place that I was looking for was Keatings, and it was absolutely hopping! People everywhere. I had been told by Teresa that her niece's name was Eileen and she worked at Keatings. So I went in and asked for a coffee and they sat me at the bar. When the owner came past after a while, he asked me if I was OK, so I mentioned about my connection with Eileen. They were mad busy, but he said if I could wait 10 minutes, he would get her from the kitchen where she worked and bring her out to me.

Keatings at Kilbaha

And sure enough he did!!! So here you go, Teresa and Betty. .... I didn't spend long with her, because she was so busy, but just had my picture taken and went on my way. The picture quality isn't that good, as it was all a bit of a  rush, but it's the best we could do!!!

Eileen

Eileen and Moira

She said her mother was Anna, who sadly passed away not long ago. But it was lovely to make the connection! And the coffee was on the house!!!!

Then I just hopped back into the car and drove home. I took the coastal route to Carrigaholt, which had me a bit worried at times, but I eventually ended up in right place and then I just set the Google Maps for home.

So that was a lovely day out. The weather was perfect, the scenery was magnificent and it was all just topped off by meeting Eileen in Kilbaha.