Crazy how you lose track of time and sequence when you are travelling. I just added an extensive account of our trip to the Aran Islands, lost it in cyber space then realized I had missed out our amazing day in Connemara.

We left our BandB well rested and fed and let GPS lead us to the Connemara National Park. Once there we headed out on a 3km hike up a steep path to a higher vantage point where we could see much of the terrain around us. A very rugged vista with lots of rock and bog.

Nothing like a good climb to justify a tea and pastry.

The small museum in the park highlighted the history of peat bogs in Ireland.

A short distance away was Kylemore Abbey, a spectacular castle built by an English doctor and MP who fell in love with the area while on honeymoon.

This 70 room structure was a private home and church as well as a spectacular walled Victorian garden. In 1920 it became an abbey for an order of catholic teaching nuns and with national grants for the extensive upkeep, it continues to thrive as a tourist centre. The garden is mind blowing. The small restaurant on the site uses vegetables and herbs grown in the garden and ancient greenhouses.

Inside the walled garden, the original workers quarters and managers house are still completely intact.

It was great day out of the car. Well worth the stops.