Yes! One time I was vacationing in County Carlow and someone in a local cafe told us about a ruined castle overlooking the Barrow river. Not signposted at all--we had to open a farmer's gate and slog across a mucky field and there it was: a very old ruin, probably Norman, with a skinny stone circular stairway up to the top with no handholds or safety devices at all. It was on a bluff above the river valley and the view was astonishing. I've tried to find it again and always failed.
I don't know if it's still worth considering but I thumbed my way around nearly the entire island and have fond memories of the experiences.
20-30 years ago it was an unwritten rule that if you were driving, especially on the smaller roads, you shouldn't pass a hitchhiker. I stopped many a time and also enjoyed the conversation and it passed the journey.
It's not as common these days. People are more safety conscious (their own safety) about picking up a stranger, and there is the fear of litigation after stories of hitchhikers suing after falling out of the car (an urban myth but still).
Quick funny story. I once picked up two guys hitching. They got in the back of the car and shortly olong the journey they turned the conversation to "you are very trusting, how do you know we won't attack you? I replied, "How do you know I won't drive the car into the ocean and kill us all?"
They asked to get out at the next village.
...
I am tempted. At 65 with a Rolleicord around my neck, I bet I could do it.
I'm going to agree, but it's hard to pick the right one after 40-odd years. The terrain of Ballyloughan looks dead on correct for the landscape but I don't recall a second structure next to it. Rathnageeragh looks like the right structure but the landscape is too flat. In any case, it tweaks the curiosity to go on a hunt....thanks for the find!@Tel I'm going to guess either Ballyloughan castle or Rathnageeragh castle as the one you visited.
10 Castles in County Carlow
Co. Carlow has many fine castles from medieval ruins, National Monuments to a fully preserved castle open to the public and castle beeing a private house.mycarlow.eu
I love it! Maggie Thatcher was busting up the TUC when I lived in Dalkey, so yeah: It's been a minute.
Hitching was easy then. Violent crime didn't exist and there was a lot of trust in both directions. The only people who *never* stopped were priests and nuns. And for some reason, a lot of my rides were from solicitors and barristers.
I am tempted. At 65 with a Rolleicord around my neck, I bet I could do it.
My wife and I are looking at spending a week in both locations. I don't feel like driving so will probably do a tour in both locations.
My wants are stunning landscapes, castles, seashore, pubs and small villages.
Do you know of any tour companies that take most of that in?
Time frame is the last two weeks of September.
Thanks
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