Travelled through Galway, 2 hour shopping break and then off to Ashford Castle. We arrived via the traditional boat route (The Isle of Inisfree of Loch Corrib), the same way the Guiness family would have. A lone piper escorted us over the drawbridge to Ashford Castle. Several years ago Sharon met Robert Bateman and he told her of one of his favourite places, an island not far from Ashford Castle. On that island he painted an owl flying out of a 12 century church. (Inchagoill Monestary). I took the boat tour to the island and spent an hour photographing the area (a 4th century church of St. Patrick is on the same site). Sharon went to a falconry centre. She was able to have falcons fly from her arm and had two return and land on her arm at the same time. We had a formal 5 course dinner in the evening. Excellent food. Beautiful day. 
