Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
This “town” (actually just a crossroads) is a good place for a break. The 1990 movie
The Field,
starring Limerick-born Richard Harris, was filmed here. Take a glance at
the photos of the making of the movie on the wall of
Hamilton's Pub.
While you're
there, find the old photo of the British dreadnought battleships that filled Killary Harbor
when King Edward VII visited a century ago. Drop into the
Leenane Sheep and Wool
Centre
(on the left as you enter town) to see interesting wool-spinning and weaving
demonstrations (€5, April-Oct daily 9:30-18:00, closed Nov-March, tel. 095/42323,
• As you continue west on N-59, notice the rows of blue floats in Killary Harbor. They're
there to mark mussel farms growing on hanging nets in the cold seawater. As you climb
out of the fjord valley about 8 kilometers (5 miles) past Leenane, you'll pass (on the left)
some areas that offer good, close looks at a turf cut in a peat bog.
Walk a few yards onto the spongy green carpet. (Watch your step on wet days to avoid
squishing into a couple of inches of water.) Find a dry spot and jump up and down to get
a feel for it. Have your companion jump; you'll feel the vibrations 30 feet away.
