Day Five from Salthill to Lahinch via Galway, Oranmore, Clarinbridge, Kilcolgan, Kinvara, the Burren, Ballyvaughan, Fanore, Doolin, the Cliffs of Moher and Liscannor. Clocked Up 101.66 km
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The day started as the previous day finished, weaving through Galway city traffic, this time in order to take the coast road out to Oranmore. Continued onwards for Clarinbridge before briefly stopping in Kilcolgan. We soon came to the picturesque sea port village of Kinvara and then crossed into county Clare. The karst rolling hills of the Burren provided a unique backdrop for the next few hours. We had an earlier than usual lunch stop at the novelly-named Tea Junction in Ballyvaughan from where we chose the longer coast road around Black Head rather than the slightly more-testing main road. By now the sun was blazing down - so much for our doom-and-gloom weather predictions!! The Aran Islands came into view as we reached Fanore and as we approached Doolin, the magnificent Cliffs of Moher appeared. There were many tough climbs and sharp descents on what turned out to be our toughest day in the saddle, but we were under blue skies in one of the nicest parts of the world! The downhill in Liscannor was welcome and we arrived in Lahinch a little bit later than expected. That night we treated ourselves to dinner at the Admiralty Lodge's piano room restaurant in Spanish Point - absolutely superb - a truly five-star dining experience.
Dún Guaire Castle, Kinvara
At The Tea Junction In Ballyvaughan
Ballyvaughan Pier Against The Backdrop Of The Burren
A Local Onlooker
The Cliffs Of Moher
