We started at Limerick on Friday morning after getting the car and headed out to Killarney where we stopped for lunch and a little sweater shopping. Our trip is in yellow all along the the bottom to Cork and then home which is the orange line. We didn't do the Dingle peninsula this time, but all the rest.
We are driving towards Killarney and though it is hazy, you can see the mountains appearing in the background.
We stopped in Castleisland to get Gwen some batteries for her camera and these reclying bins were lined up at the parking lot edge. I just try to give my followers a different perpective than land views!
Our lunch stop in Killarney. Every meal has been delicious and very hot no matter where we go.
Killarney has a population of 16,900. It has been a tourist town for about 250 years. It has a National park in the middle and Iwas hoping to get to explore it more today but we ran out of time. Last time we were here, we were horseback riding with some of David's students.
We all came out with sweaters from the shop. Sweaters were from the Aran Islands.
As we left Killarney we travel on the counterclockwise direction of the Ring of Kerry. It is suggested that you travel clockwise to avoid being caught behind the busses but we were so late in the day and it is off season we took a chance. Here you are seeing the Dingle Bay which is between the Dingle peninsula and the Ring of Kerry.
This peat used to burn in their fireplaces or heaters. It has a very distinctive smell-heavy and stifling.
In the Ring of Kerry-
Which way to go???Ummm
So we took to the right which took us across the bridge to Valentia Island. Last time we were here it was very foggy and we could see very little so we didn't go.
Looking back at Portmagee (on the Ring) from the Island.
The two islands you can see are the Skellig islands. You can get to them by boat but it is dangerous to board the islands and the skippers go only if it is calm. The island on the left is Skellig Michael 217m high and is the only island you are allowed to land on. There are no toilets etc..Birdwatching is wonderful.
This island had Christian monks who survived here from the 6th to 12th or 13th century. The monastic building is perched on rock 150 m above sea level and 600 steps cut into the rock. There are stone beehive cells (huts) with floor space of 4.5m by 3.6m which is the largest.
Just a spetacular sight looking back at the Ring.
I have taken this picture to try and show how narrow the roads are. This is a two lane highway!
A fix er upper...
Now this road is more like it! The Beara Peninsula is across the bay which we will be doing tomorrow.
This part of Ireland is very rocky but still breath taking! Ring of Kerry is the longest and most diverse of Ireland's circle drives (179 km). Jaw-dropping coastal scenery with emerald pastures and villages.
Can't beat this view either.
Rocky- heading toward Kenmare.
Coming into Kenmare as the sun is setting.
We were walking around town working off our delicious dinner at the The Lime Tree Resturant. Excellent.
These hats were feactured in Kenmare. It is a good thing the store was closed or I might be fationing a new hat! Would anyone like me to bring one home for you?
Cheerio :-)
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