That’s the English translation of ‘Dún na nGall’, which I learned from Duncan, who wrote to me saying he really enjoyed my lecture (thanks!). It’s Wednesday (I keep losing track of what day it is here, which feels very relaxed) and this morning we walked around in the little town Donegal.
With the emphasis on ‘little’. But that is nice and it seems to have everything it needs. Letterkenny and Portsalon were going to be our next destinations. The first visit in Letterkenny was for an interview in the studio of Highland Radio. It was a nice one and it went well. Everybody here seems to be very laidback. Also, I found out my face was published in the local newspaper! After that we went to Portsalon beach, to come to Letterkenny again later for the second lecture.
This really must be the most beautiful place in the world! Is what I thought when I saw this beach. I took over a hundred pictures of it, but it’s just impossible to show its beauty on an image. I stood on the spongy sand and made a 360 degree turn. Gorgeous. Everywhere. And we were the only ones there… how rich can you be? We have been extremely lucky with the weather as well: we saw a lot of sun and the rain showers we did have were phenomenal. It was never really cold, but I think temperature is more or less a state of mind anyway. So I had to get in that water.
I changed clothes in the car and we drove back to Letterkenny to have dinner before the lecture. While I was in the bathroom I heard Edd telling the waitress we were going to the Institute of Technology. She asked if there would be a good show on we were going to see. Edd said: “Yeah, hers”. And it was a nice show: I felt calm and enthusiastic and the audience was lovely. Afterwards a boy came to shake my hand and said “Thank you for coming over”. Apparently it’s hard for them to find people who want to come up here and give lectures. How unthinkable, I am still stunned.
Also, when we were in Dublin, I was asked if I thought the Irish people were unfriendly, as the young lady had heard such thing. Ridiculous. On this trip we found ourselves looking lost twice and both times someone came up to us to ask if we needed help. Also, at least four people attending my lecture in Letterkenny came up to give us advice about ‘must sees’ in county Donegal.
The whole county is a ‘must see’ though, so we are back on the road again, to get some sleep before another wonderful day. The road on which almost everybody is waving at you by the way.
The Highland Radio studio in Letterkenny.
It’s beautiful up close, in detail, as well.
The lucky people living here can look at the sea every day.
I was really here, at Portsalon beach.
And in the sea too!
Right before the second lecture, in Letterkenny. (Picture: Edd Edmondson).
OK – one more of the beach. (Pictures: Hanny van Arkel).
6 Comments
How beautiful. Glad you are taking lots of pictures
Beautiful, Hanny, but I can’t believe you got in the sea….lol
I can Tommy
Hi, Hanny I didn’t see it at first, the comments attended me, is that really you in the ocean swimming? Do you know that you are swimming in the big ocean? very dangerous, cold and not mentioning the sharks! LOL
veilige reis
Oh yes and regarding the swimming, home is in the other direction!
That beach is wonderful Hanny. Great pics.