On to Bundoran

We say a sad farewell to Patrick and Marie and head south to Bundoran, passing yet more glorious countryside. We find our apartment in Bundoran and quickly settle in, buying supplies in the local supermarket which seems to sell absolutely everything even home cooked ready meals which they plate up for you. Then it’s off to find the bus to Ballyshannon for the Rory Gallager Festival. We wait at the appointed stop with another young couple and soon conclude the bus is running on Irish time and has already gone! A taxi with our new friends soon takes us into Ballyshannon and the driver points out all the local points of interest, good restaurants, taxi stands and an outside washing machine and dryer laundromat!

The town is buzzing and humming with music, people sightseeing, catching up with friends from last year and lots of Guinness. We start in Owen Roe’s bar where we meet up with our friends Paul and Nina. They are regular visitors to the festival and take us on a guided tour of the best bars in Balyshannon walking through the town, pausing for Dave to be photographed with Rory’s statue and ending up at Dicey Reilly’s bar. All the way there is music in every pub, street corner or just set up on the street. Time to eat and have a sit down before going in to the big top so we head back to the taxi drivers top tip, The Limit. For a place so highly recommended it’s nearly deserted but by the time we’ve ordered a drink it’s full! The specials of stuffed chicken and chicken curry are very good.

It’s time for the main event, music in the big top, The Scratch, Laundromat and Pat McManus. All excellent bands playing under a red and blue striped big top which strangely reminds me of Billy Smart’s Circus! The last band Wishbone Ash are starting at 12 midnight I’m flagging by then so as Pat McManus sings Last bus to Bundoran we head back to join the queue for the bus and sleepily arrive back at our apartment.