I was tired of driving every day. We don’t cover that many miles in a day, but driving in Ireland is tiring mainly because of the narrow curved roads and the need to be constantly alert. So, with two days left before we head back south toward Shannon Airport, we decided that today would be a stay at home rest day. The weather forecast for today looked worse than tomorrow, so it was the better choice for resting.
It turned out to be a good decision because it rained most of the morning and well into the afternoon. The rain stopped and we got sunshine from about 2 pm on. We did drive into Dungloe (five minute drive from the cottage) to pick up some knickknacks and souvenirs of County Donegal. Downtown Dungloe is basically one (rather boring) main street. There are some shops, a betting parlor, McCafferty’s Bar and Restaurant, quite a few pubs (some rather sketchy looking), a barber shop, a second hand shop, and an old hotel (Sweeney’s) that is being regentrified. We walked around and stopped in the one shop that seemed to have what we wanted – genuine County Donegal products.
The shop was called Under the Toadstool, and we had a nice chat with the owner (Sean) who is half American (from Kennebunkport, Maine) and half Irish (from Dungloe). He is living in Dungloe now to help care for his 91 year old mother. We bought a bunch of little souvenirs.
For lunch we wanted something small. We decided to visit Caprani’s Restaurant, a small place that is part of the SuperValu supermarket. It was very busy, usually a good sign. Elaine had a chicken and mushroom pie. The waitress warned her it was huge and suggested a smaller version. Elaine concurred. I ordered, with low expectations, a Philly cheesesteak sandwich. Well, the small version of the pie was actually pretty huge in its own right, and Elaine loved it. The sandwich was delicious. This little place could actually be called a hidden gem. The staff and the manager were wonderful. We would go back here in a second. They serve breakfast all day, and we saw several people get the Full Irish and it looked superb (and huge). I didn’t take any pictures (no camera with me), but I wish I had.
Cocktails at home were inside despite the sun shining because it was pretty chilly out. Anyway, my cocktail of choice at home this trip has been Dingle Vodka with a splash of Elderflower Cordial and Fever-Tree Tonic Water. Elaine has a glass of Pinot Noir. Interestingly enough, when I had to buy a new bottle of Dingle Vodka here in Dungloe, it was €6 cheaper than in Dingle. Weird. Dingle Vodka, besides being very smooth, has a distinctive bottle that can be used as a decoration or a vase. The Dingle Distillery is most noted for their fine whiskey, but I love their vodka and their gin has won major awards. Dingle Gin attended the World Gin Awards 2019, where industry experts shortlisted the best gins from 400 entrants from 20 countries. Dingle Gin received the award for World’s Best London Dry Gin and the overall award for World’s Best Gin 2019. Happily, we can now find Dingle gin and vodka at one liquor store in Scottsdale.
We decided to venture back to McCaferty’s for dinner. We had had a decent very late lunch there on Tuesday. And they had that luxurious ladies room. Going back would give me a chance to check out the men’s room. Dinner was very good. Pictures follow (including shots of the men’s room).
Elaine had:
Crispy Breaded Brie with Winter Berry Compote
Baked Filet of Cod & Tiger Prawns Gratin with Gratin Potatoes in a Creamy White Wine & Cheese Sauce
Belgian Triple Chocolate Chip Cookie with Vanilla Ice Cream
Joe had:
Bruckless Bay Wild Mussels in Garlic Butter Sauce
Crispy Honey Roasted Silver Hill Duckling with Bramble Berry, Apricot, & Orange Stuffing
Apple & Mixed Berry Crumble with Vanilla Ice Cream
Too much food! Home to bed. But first, yet another sunset. These sunset pictures were taken at 9:25 pm.
I have enjoyed every one of your posts. I meant to comment a couple of days ago when you mentioned Beaver Island, Michigan. You see, back in the 1990’s, when Todd and I were cruising Lake Michigan, we anchored in Beaver Island. A kindergarten teacher that I taught with had moved with her husband to Beaver Island. We reconnected and they came on our boat to watch a total lunar eclipse. We listened to “Dark Side of the Moon” by Pink Floyd while watching the eclipse. Then, we borrowed a car from them so we could tour the island. They just left a car parked on the street outside the marina with the keys in the ignition. Then we drove all over the island waving at every car we passed, because every car we passed thought we were them. That’s the way you do it on Beaver Island. Sadly, I have lost contact with them. Another time, we sheltered in their marina for days while a strong wind blew relentlessly. We walked to a point where there was a memorial to lost sailors and I thought how likely our names could be added to the memorial. Lake Michigan doesn’t play games with boats and sailors. She is a deadly Lake. We were in many close calls as far as I am concerned. I have great respect for the power of weather and water. It is also better safe than sorry to be snug in your slip in your home berth as far as I am concerned. So now, we are day sailors and chose our weather conservatively.
Great story!
The food sounds delicious. I must be hungry. The sunset pictures were beautiful. You could frame them or make note cards of them. I livevthe bathroom pictures. I always check out the decor in a restaurant bathroom. Usually not the men’s room though but very interesting as well.
What a nice surprise to find a hidden gem for lunch. Sounds delicious. Same for dinner at McCaferty’s. The men’s room is not quite as elegant as the ladies’ room, but nice nonetheless. The Dingle vodka bottle does make a very nice vase.
Jan Marie, that was a great story about Beaver Island. Thanks for sharing it.
How funny, a bar with no barstools?! Thanks for the funny birthday eCards, loved them. We both got quite the chuckle from Dolly and the animals singing to me, and of course BARB is a Broadway lights! Cheers!!
Hey Cuz, nice to see your posts. I agree with Sue, great story about Beaver Island and your experience there. As usual Joe, you and Elaine are eating well!! Before we left for Flagstaff and since we have been back, we have had your Irish weather, rain and clouds each day. Quite unusual for Denver, and we miss our sunshine. More today and thru the weekend! Glad you guys got your shopping done. Michael leaves for Bahrain Saturday. That time went too fast! Stay well, stay safe. All good with the family.
I, too, LOVE Fever-Tree tonic water! Good for my leg cramps? Or good excuse for vodka tonics? 😁
Glad you kept off those treacherous boreens in the rain! I have nightmares of Fred with the stick shift admiring the forest to the left and to the right! Argh! Otherwise great memories of Donegal.
My friends who still think Ireland does not have good food should read your blog. It drives me crazy to hear this!
Safe travels back.