Connemara was not as isolated and remote as I expected it to be. At least the part of it that we toured was not so. Even on narrow roads that literally just lead to the coast over several causeways, houses and schools were frequently dashed over the otherwise barren landscape.
Connemara was magical, the more so because the mountains were half hidden in the mist and in low clouds, throwing an un-earthly light over the bogs, highlighting the rusty colours, the sepias, the deep chocolate browns, the ochre. Sometimes the sun would briefly take away the veil that covered the land, at other times the sky would darken and a very heavy rain would pour down on us. But the rain did not bother us, we were after all on honeymoon and it was hard to take the smile off our faces.
The old cottages dotted here and there took my interest but the roads made it so that I could not stop easily to observe them better. I did take in their oblong shapes however, many seemed to be empty and ruined, others were still very much lived in.
My favourite area was the road (R344) we took from Kylemore Lough, on to Recess. On our right were the Twelve Bens, a very beautiful mountain range which unfortunately was mostly hidden in the clouds, and to our left we saw some of the Maumturk mountains. Rusty bog land, softly covered in pale lilac heathers, and in strong yellow gorse, drew the eye further along to some lakes and more bogs. This was for me one of the highlights of our journey, the beauty and serenity that I felt there was incredible and filled my heart with joy. The scents of autumn-like growth and fresh mountain air were invigorating. My excellent navigator and new husband Ian had suggested this road, and I am so happy that we explored this area of Connemara.
A little fishing village called Roundstone lies on the R341 coast road, it is such a picturesque village, one that you would want to stay for a week and just soak up the atmosphere, and the views. We had a lovely lunch there in a little place overlooking the harbour.
Connemara has a lot of small peninsulas, connected by land via causeways.
agoyvaerts 
A lovely trip, I enjoyed coming along!
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Always a pleasure to have you onboard Andrew. Thank you.
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beautiful!
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Thank you Viviane, glad you enjoyed!
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So wonderful that a destination that was encouraged by your new husband “filled your heart with joy.” I think that is a very fine sign, indeed. Congratulations to the both of you!
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Thank you Jodie for a lovely comment. A very nice way of looking at my words, I had not noticed actually to tell you the truth, I had not put two and two together, but yes it is true.
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Ahh, that is extra lovely. Hugs to you both.
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Such a lovely landscape – truly beautiful. I wouldn’t mind spending a bit of time there…
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Yes you would probably love it Eliza 🙂
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thank you for featuring connemara with beautiful pictures. such an idyllic and lovely place. we drove from salthill to kylemore abbey and we were treated with the most spectacular landscape! 🙂
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Yes it is truly special isn’t Iola!
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Magical photographs, and evocative prose. I do hate WP’s Gutenberg’s cropping of photographs. I expect you know I have finally given up working with the new editor and reverted to the Classic.
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Thank you Derrick, I am going to do the same, it was so tiresome yesterday. It went totally haywire.
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Shame about WP difficulties. Your descriptions were fabulous and the photos make Connemara look like a landscape I would very much like to see myself. I’m glad you enjoyed your honeymoon 😊
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Thank you Helen 🙂 Yes WP gets like that sometimes doesn’t it. Patience is required, lots of it sometimes 🙂
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It seems to have for worse but it is still a great resource!
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Absolutely Helen.
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A wonderful tour. I just found your post, as some are coming in at odd times. Maybe it is WP.
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Thank you. Not sure what happens, it has been on for a few days, maybe it was slow to ge circulated.
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WaaaauW ZO MOOI echt FantastiC !!
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Dank u wel David, ja inderdaad heel mooi daar ook.
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Heerlijke beelden.Ik kende connemara alleen door het liedje maar nu zag ik het ook voor mijn ogn.Knappe foto’s
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Dank u wel Marylou en ben heel blij dat je er van genoot.
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