West Ireland – Selfies from the Soccer Pitch

After a couple days in Belfast, we worked our way over to the west coast of Ireland.

Our first stop was a visit to Belvedere House and Gardens, which was built in 1740 as a hunting lodge for Robert Rochfort, 1st Earl of Belvedere.

The Gothic Arch, built in 1780, was designed as a ‘false entrance’ and focal point to the estate

It stands completely on its own, over a cart path that leads directly to the main house about a quarter mile away

The fairy gardens are one of many themed gardens that surround the main house

Angela enjoying the fountain and lily pond inside the Walled Garden

The Lily Pond at Belvedere House and Gardens

A storage shed near the Arboretum

The Jealous Wall at Belvedere House and Gardens is the largest Folly of its kind in Ireland

It was built by Robert Rochfort to block the view of his brother’s house, which he was jealous of because it was bigger than his own house

We then worked our way to Connemara Beach, where we found the best smoked salmon and tuna we have ever tasted! The coastline was beautiful as well.

Kylemore Abbey is located just inland from Connemara beach. The original castle built on the site was commissioned by a wealthy doctor from London in 1868. He used it as a personal residence for himself and his wife until it was sold to the Duke and Duchess of Manchester in 1903. The 40,000 square foot castle and its extensive gardens and grounds were eventually sold in 1920 to Irish Benedictine nuns. The nuns were forced to flee from their Abbey in Ypres, Belgium when it was destroyed by bombs during World War l. Kylemore is still occupied by the Benedictine nuns to this day, where, in addition to hosting numerous educational programs, they famously produce chocolates and a liquor called Irish Country Cream -which tastes remarkably like liquid chocolate tiramisu!