Herb Riddle's photos with the keyword: Children_of_Lir_Loop

Having walked along the sea-cliffs of this 'Children of Lir' loop (just beyond the top edge here), we come finally to a strange structure, namely the ‘Children of Lir’ sculpture. In truth we knew this was here as it denoted our turn-around point but we expected something more in the way of a ‘traditional’ sculpture. We found nothing explaining how these walls and bits represented elements of the story: The Children of Lir sculpture - one of a series from the Spirit of Place Sculpture Trail which centres on culturally-distinct, historic, unspoiled and isolated regions around the world. The sculpture has significance to this area from where thousands of people have emigrated in the past to all parts of the world – bringing with them a strong spirit of place – but never to return. The legend of The Children of Lir tells the tale of children who were turned into swans and condemned to wander the countryside for 900 years, 300 of these were spent on the north Mayo Island, Inishglora, 300 on Lough Derravaragh and 300 years in the Sea of Moyle (above County Antrim) . More info on the legend: www.irishcentral.com/roots/irish-myth-children-lir-swan-lake We were to visit the northern spot with another storyboard near Bushmills on our second week here. Inishglora Isand can just about be seen (I think) in the PiP photo. Have a good day.

We are getting to our northern end of The Children of Lir Loop walk now with evermore closer looks at the Stags. We have now co-joined another bigger loop walk called the Portacloy Cliff walk. Benween Head is the headland we see here on the right. See last photo for alternative view and description. Nice full size.

We are getting to our northern end of the loop now with evermore closer looks at the Stags. We have now co-joined another bigger loop walk called Portacloy. They are in fact bigger than they look on here at around 3km from where I am standing. An Archipelago of five steep rocks with Teach Dónal ÓCléirigh rising to a height of 97m above the Atlantic Ocean. A closer look is by far best undertaken by kayak though and some people do try to land and climb them. They are completely uninhabited both by man and sheep. See Pip or next photo for another view and description.

As we continue up this rugged coast we see one of a few characteristic Islands just offshore. This is Kidd Island covering just 32 acres. I believe flocks of sheep graze on here in summer but we never saw any and the mind boggles to how they would get on there with those sheer rocky cliffs. Oops, I must correct myself: the white spots on the the left of the Island are indeed sheep (as seen on my sharper full size original). NB there is a another smaller nameless rock in front of Kidd Island here. Enjoy full screen.

As our walk continues, we spot some earlier walkers heading away. Our path will take us along the edge of the cliffs on the left before Kidd Island. Enjoy full screen

We have left the Rinroe Beach area and am heading north again. The top left landmass is Kidd Island that we shall eventually pass. As you can see, a striking coastal panoramic adventure needing stout walking boots and a packed lunch in the rucksack! Enjoy full screen.

This is Kilgalligan Cemetery not very far from Stonefield. We have embarked on another loop walk called 'Portacloy Loop-Cliff'' just north of Belmullet, County Mayo. This kind of scene was one we were to come across often on our travels near here. Enjoy full screen.

A beautiful wild coastal round walk of 10km beckons us today. We are looking south here back to our base in Belmullet as we walk north to the rugged rocks of Kid Island and the 'Stags of Broadhaven'. The cemetery is just on the hidden track behind the small white post way down on the left. PiP. As can be seen, an empty part of the world with few locals and tourist. Enjoy full size.