DUNGARVAN

We spent the weekend in a smart B&B called Seaview atop a hill overlooking Dungarvan and the sea, but unfortunately the fog had caught up with us again [the Sunday was nice and clear].

View of the sea from Seaview

As we had a couple of hours before 1200 when I was on duty, we drove to the little coastal village of Ardmore. There is a well preserved Roundtower [of which there are many scattered around Ireland], which the monks built to retreat into, when faced with an enemy onslaught. There is a doorway about 4m above the ground, by which they enter having climbed up a ladder. After pulling up the ladder they are safe, as there are no other openings except right at the top for a lookout.

Round tower with Ardmore in the background

We found ourselves right in the middle of a traditional Gaelic community where they still speak Irish and the signs are only in Irish. There is a lot of Irish/Gaelic being spoken and promoted on TV and radio, but we have yet to hear it spoken in the streets.

airdmhor