8 July
Breakfast was not included in our stay so we skipped out and headed for the 'world famous' Mount Melleray Abbey...which really was unique and still in use and ran by Trappist Monks (mountmellerayabbey.org). We talked a little with two of them and headed into the beautiful church...worth the visit. But, we were hungry! And, our clothes were reeking and we had very few garmets left that hadn't been worn...remember we only carried our backpacks and now the cute little Itlaian purses we bought in Rome...so we had to get our wash done.
The seaside town of Dungarvan was our place to get our clothes washed and this adorable Irish woman offered to do them for us for about 5 euros more than if we did them ourselves. No brainer! we dropped them off, went to get a bite to eat at a cute kitchenette in the heart of town, checked out the church and graveyard and went shopping! We found a haberdashy that sold antiques and sewing supplies AND homemade sweaters with Donegal wool from the local knitting club. We each bought a jumper (which is sweater in this part of the world). Now we really look like sisters in our matching green sweaters/jumpers!
The owners of the haberdashy told us about Mahon Falls, a local hiking spot to hike and then climb the falls, but before that an even cooler local tradition was awaiting. There on the road to Mahon Falls stands a Faerie Tree (which is a tree decorated with bows, ribbons, and jewelry) and the Faerie Tree is beside a Magic Road. So we went downhill toward the Faerie Tree and then put our car in neutral and released the brake and our car began to drift quickly uphill! Of course we turned around and did it the other way and kept doing it again and again. Mackenzie was perfectly amazed.
We finally got to the falls and had a ball climbing up the rocks. Sometimes I wonder how and why I do these things...after all I'll be 56 in a few months. Of course I have Mackenzie to urge me on...although I think we both act as if we are 12.
Youghal...another seaport town was our next stop after picking up our laundry. We had lovely tea in a shop and made faces out the window at some little kids sitting in the car in front of the shop. Their little Irish laughter was contagious.
Then we thought...let's go to Waterford for dinner...WORST DECISION EVER!!!! Waterford was a grungy, dark town at 6:00 at night and all we managed to do was look at St. Patrick's Church and some important old gate and we beat it out of there as quick as we could. Headed back to Dungarvan for a yummy local fish fry and back to our Pilgrim's Rest Hotel, which we really needed...it was a full day!
Peace as always,
The Traveling Women
Tip of the day: When local produce is sold along the road...like strawberries..buy them!
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