Posted this while ago but beautiful part of Ireland – the furthest west you can go before you fall into the sea.
Driving around where we were staying in Ireland, noticed close to the road – a ruined castle left sleeping beneath Dunn Hill and on the other side – a derelict factory, roof missing.
Many empty stone crofts, roofs missing – told they were abandoned when people left to America during the famine, when many died – people who stayed felt the spirits of the people who left, still occupy them, very eerie but can understand.
The ruins of a concrete factory are because of a venture into seaweed and kelp from the pure waters in these areas in the 1950s. You walk along the beaches with stones covered in yellow lichen and black from the dried kelp – crispy like onion skins. This failed and seaweed and kelp were sent to Scotland instead to be processed which then also failed and relocated to Norway.
But discovered an amazing upturn in last few years – which hopefully will turn around fortunes: “seaweed could be one of the biggest sustainable growth areas in Scotland’s marine sector”according to the Scottish Seaweed Industry Association“
The ruined castle was built in early 1500s by ferocious seafaring O’Flahertys and the legendary pirate Queen Granuaile also married to Donal the head of the Clan. Much to find out about this family who protected the fishing rights of Ireland. Impressed because of own smuggling connections. Most people at this time were involved in some way with the smugglers – even the vicar. Farmers and fishermen by day smugglers by night. Way to avoid paying tax on rum and tobacco.
It is said the Galway people walled off their city and placed a prayer on the wall “Lord, please protect us from the Ferocious O’Flahertys”
sunnypolarbear 
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