After an action packed day, it was nice to relax and unwind a bit in the costal town of Doolin.  After checking in at the Dunroman House (http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Hotel_Review-g214506-d1105827-Reviews-Dunroman_House-Doolin_The_Burren_County_Clare.html) it was off to explore the town of Doolin, buy ferry tickets to Aran Islands, and find a place for food and entertainment.

We ended up at McGann’s Pub and enjoyed our first authentic meal.  I ordered the traditional beef stew, which was delicious, but not necessarily what I was expecting…

Something delicious!

More of beef, mashed potatoes, and veggies with a beef based gravy poured over them.  It was delicious!

After dinner we walked up the street for beer and traditional Irish music at McDermott’s Pub.  The band was great and it was interesting to see how family oriented the Irish pub scene is.  Everyone was welcome – adults, children, drinkers, and non-drinkers.  It was a really great environment.

The video below is a brief sample of the local music.

We also met Dianne Lynch (http://www.dailytownsman.com/breaking_news/222388981.html) there who it turns out is a bit of a celebrity in the IRONMAN circuit. She was the first woman to compete and win the IRONMAN in Canada in its inaugural year, 1983.

Dianne Lynch (second from left) with Sister Madonna, her partner in endurance sports crime

Dianne was super down to earth and interested in my running too.  She is passing through Doolin while writing her book – sounds like her plan is to rent a cabin on the Aran Islands for the next 3 months to finish her writing in a nice quiet setting.  I can’t wait to read it!

Tomorrow is another busy day for us with a bike tour of the Aran Islands in the morning and then a trip north to Co. Galway to see Dunguaire Castle and The Fahy’s Travellers Inn.