Ireland's tumultuous history has been the stuff of legends. From the history making battle of Clontarf in 1014 to the endless battles to achieve independence from Britain, which was finally achieved to some degree in 1921 by local heros such as Michael Collins, forever immortalized by the most handsome Liam Neeson in the movie 'Michael Collins'.  Samuel Beckett (1906-1989) playwright, author and Nobel laureate was Irish, so was George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) and Oscar Wilde (1854-1900). Not to mention, Arthur Guinness, probably better known for the dark, thick brew called Guinness beer; and, of course, the Titanic was built in Belfast.



These figures paint a most romantic picture of Ireland and I was very much looking forward to experience this country. I made sure I would have at least one full day in Dublin, so that I could explore it a little, and as 'luck would have' (the luck of the Irish?) my taxi driver from the airport, Gerry Kelly convinced me that he was the guy to take me around the next day.



I was staying on O'Connell Street, which is the main shopping street in Dublin, at the Gresham Hotel . It is an older style four star hotel, well worth staying at as it is so central and also has a lovely restaurant that serves great food (it had me at gluten free toast). Gerry picked me up the next day and drove me to all the sites worth seeing. I loved the Gothic and neo-Gothic churches in particular, which are to be found in abundance.



Throughout our 5-hour journey Gerry managed to talk the entire time, keeping me entertained and fully engaged. We finished the day off with a late lunch at The Oar House in Howth, which is only about half an hours drive outside of Dublin. Howth is considered to be 'off the beaten track' but well worth going to. It is a working fishing harbor and if you are lucky you can feed the giant seals that hang out amongst the fishing vessels.



Truth be told, one day in Dublin was plenty. After a three hour train trip, basically going from one side of Ireland to the other, I arrived in Westport , an enormously charming village on the west coast of Ireland. There I met up with the cab driver booked for me by Ciara from the Clare Island Yoga Retreat and was transported to the ferry, about 20 minutes drive from the station.



The ferry was really nothing more than what looked to me like an ex-fishing boat, but the ride was pretty smooth considering that with a little wind you would most likely have to brace yourself fairly sturdily against the side of the boat. Clare Island is situated at the entrance of Clew Bay in County Mayo. The island's population is now around 130, but increases over summer during the holiday season. There are several walks to take around the island and a three to four hour walk will take you around the main walking track. Clare Island is fringed by spectacular mountain cliffs and filled with undulating mountain terrain. If you love wide open spaces, sheep and solitude than this place is paradise.



As the evening ferry was the one suggested to be taken by yoga students, there were several of us arriving at the pier. A minivan was there to meet us and we all piled in. The yoga retreat is only a few minutes drive from the pier, or about 30 minutes walk. It truly is a spectacular landscape and I felt like leaping from the van to take photos all along the way. This is the sort of environment I love and I already felt that one week would not be enough.



To top it all off our accommodation was gorgeous. I had an upstairs room with views over the sea on one side and views into the countryside on the other. The feather comforters on the bed were like big, puffy clouds and the yoga shala and dining house were just down the road boasting the most spectacular view. I was very much looking forward to the coming week with yoga at 8.30 a.m. and
5 p.m. and of course the food, homegrown mostly and from what I had heard absolutely delicious.