From carpets of bluebells to carpets of rhododendron

The flowers have changed markedly, obviously rhododendron were native to Ireland during before the last glacial period, now they have returned with a vengeance and look fantastic contrasting with the colour of the gorse.

We filled the coast round to Céide Fields, a peat bog that has a story to tell of 5200 years of history. It is the most extensive Neolithic site in Ireland and contains the oldest known field systems in the world. Miles of dry stone wall burried under various depths of bog and discovered by a local farmer more than 50 years ago. His son became an archaeologist who did much of the investigation. Our guide was a very knowledgeable local girl who recounted stories of her farther digging up preserved butter in the peat bog.

Onwards over the bridge to Achill island. With a temperature getting up to 16deg we found our campsite under Slieve More and within site of a blue flag beach.