Polranny; The Third Day

On their third day in Polranny, guests Bas, Laura, Michel and Mark start exploring nearby Achill Island. Mark writes: " We follow a walking trail on the western part of Achill Island. We drive up a steep, mountain road, then down again towards a beach. It's a beautiful beach. There's a number of islands off the coast, and a river runs over the beach and into the sea. There is a car park. But no path.
Immediately behind the beach is a steep mountain. We start to climb it, sometimes on all fours. From afar we can see a house on the top of the mountain, and we decide to first head for that. It's a very rough climb for us, and all four of us are tired when we reach our destination. It appears the house is no more than a ruin, and is used by sheep as a place to crap. On the edge of the cliff is a rusted pole with a lamp socket in it. Nearby is a dead sheep. But the view of the beach below is beautiful."
Photo: Mark,www.mimia.nl

The Next Day in Polranny

While Michel goes for a run and Bas collects the wood, Laura and Mark go for a walk: "We walk behind the house to the sea and back again. Peat, peat and more peat. We don't dare to leave the path, fearing it will be boggy. Spotting a meadow with sheep, I call them and they come trotting towards us. At the shore there's a ship caught in the mud. On a path between two large gorse bushes Laura smells something that's vaguely like a mixture of Bailey's and coconut. Here and there are deserted houses made of large bricks. Some look like they can be rebuilt without too much effort, but others are hopeless ruins. There are almost as many large, newly-constructed houses and estates. In twenty years time this place will be filled with expensive property. Ireland is quickly becoming rich. We buy our groceries and return at around five o'clock."
Photo: Mark, www.mimia.nl

Polranny; First Impressions

Going back in time a little, here are the first impressions of Polranny's most recent guests Bas, Laura, Michel and Mark: "At around four or five o'clock we arrive at the house in Polranny. It's a beautiful house with wonderful surroundings. There are many books and a lot of dust. In the living room is a wood stove and in the kitchen there's a coal cooker. Bas gets both going. Michel connects the laptop upstairs. We eat omelettes with bread and vegetables."
To be continued...
Photo: Mark, www.mimia.nl

Spring Has Sprung!

Over the past few months, there has been a steady stream of visitors to the house in Polranny. Most recently Bas, Laura, Michel and Mark jetted in from Holland. Mark writes: "Here is Laura and the view from the back garden. As you can see, spring has reached Polranny. For a week, the four of us lay on beaches, and walked through bogs and fog. And, of course, we drank plenty of Guinness.
Read all about it at www.mimia.nl.
Photo: Mark

A Final Glimpse of Ireland

It's time to plan your next trip...
Photo: Annie

Corraun Diary (14); Banishing the evil weed

On 28 March 2004, Jane recorded a momentous occasion in her diary: "The night before the smoking ban takes effect in Ireland. How will it affect our business? Only time will tell."
Photo: Jane

What To Do on a Wet Saturday Afternoon

Go to the nearby Mulranny hotel and watch the latest wedding reception. Champagne will flow, families will feud and the bride will be snogging the bridesmaids before the day is out.
Photo: Annie

The Bar at Newport House

The deliciously unpretentious bar at the otherwise chic Newport House is one of the Pirates' favourite watering holes. Newport is a small town and about a half-hour's drive away from the house in Polranny.
Photo: Annie

After the Walk...

... comes the well-earned Guinness!
Photo: Annie