Ireland Part 3

On Thursday, we drove to Northern Ireland with boat in tow.  We took two cars to reduce vehicle strain.

 We passed "The Rainbow Ballroom, The Ballroom of Romance" in Glenfarne.

 We entered the nature preserve of The Crom Estate, which includes a new and old castle.

 Putting the rowboat in.

 Loading up the gear.

 We rowed to this folly, a decorative structure on a little island, where we ate lunch.

 Across the water we could see the Old Castle, to be explored later.

 On the island was this Mute Swan sitting on her nest.

We rowed over to the Old Castle to have a look.

 The Old Castle.

 I believe this is Ireland's oldest yew tree, part of the castle grounds.

 The New Castle's boathouse.

 Across on the other shore is the game keeper's house.

 The New Castle.

 We peered into the walled castle garden.

 Rhododendrons are a beautiful but invasive plant in parts of Ireland.  They grow huge here!

 This bizarre doll was in a tree along a nature trail.

 Back home, we had ducks waiting.

 The duck with brown is an Indian runner.  Runners lay 150 to 200 eggs a year!

You have to love 'em!