Cozy Ireland

Ruined cottages, perhaps from the time known as the Great Hunger or Irish Potato Famine.
They have often been left as ruins because of the superstition or respect of later owners of the land.

Thinking of the cozy atmosphere that is so lovable in Ireland's thatched cottages, tea rooms, retro hotels, delightful restaurants, pubs, and other Irish places, one can't help also remembering the terrible famine that destroyed so many homes and lives when the potato crops failed almost 200 years ago, while the British landowners and rulers did little to help the starving people. The famine drove more than half of the Irish to emigrate between 1845 and 1852. Descendants of these refugees now live in the US, Australia, and elsewhere.

Visiting Ireland today, one sees a country with an official population of 4,713,993 while in 1841 a census recorded the Irish population as 8,175,124. So it's no wonder that ruined cottages from the great famine still appear throughout the picturesque landscape. And I also think the cozy style helps people to forget the want and poverty that plagued Ireland until some time in the 20th century, and continued to drive emigration and escape until rather recently.

With that background, I'd like to take you on a tour of some of these picturesque places as I saw them last week. The word "cozy" is very popular now -- including a whole genre of fiction called "cozy mysteries." I think the Irish have a special talent for this type of atmosphere. I have no idea of any such mystery stories are actually set in Ireland.

Moran's Oyster Cottage at The Weir, Kilcolgan, in County Galway. 

Moran's bar. We have enjoyed seafood here several times, and it's very cozy!

A small crafts center near Galway where basket makers, jewelers, potters, weavers, etc. have studios and shops.

Inside a restaurant in downtown Galway.

The Cashel House Hotel near Cashel Bay in the Connemara.

The glassed-in porch of the Cashel House Hotel where we had tea.

The hotel has many rooms furnished in a style that essentially
defines the word "cozy." The building dates to the 19th century.

Little collections of tea pots, plates, teddy bears, dolls, etc. are part of the decor.

Elsewhere in the Galway and Connemara areas we saw more of this retro style along a winding tourist route called the "Wild Atlantic Way."

  

Graphic indicating the tourist route

I'm continuing with some miscellaneous images from our visits to several small towns and also to the city of Galway:

Finally, Arny and Tracy's temporary home for the year is itself pretty cozy and comfortable.

Arny and Tracy's TV room.

You can see Arny through the screen separating the living and dining rooms.

Modern Ireland has lots of other things to offer -- including a vibrant high-tech industry and the university where Arny is working. However, these echoes of an idyllic and maybe imaginary past are very enjoyable.