Ferry cross to the island

I nearly bought a cow just to talk to the charming Irish man with the shillelagh

Beautiful scenery around every corner  …or curve on the Ring of Kerry

Steve enjoying lunch in Kinsale on the way to Kenmare

Kilkenny castle seen from the street

Main street of Kilkenny a beautiful town

The Rock of Cashel Last year visited by the Queen on her Ireland tour

The cemetery outside the Cathedral of Cashel

Arrived in Kenmare late in the afternoon After a visit to Kinsale just south of Cork.
 Kinsale is a beautiful little port town – for fishing and boating -sailing and canoeing. There  were lots of jaunty little coloured houses with lots of the usual eating places and gift type shops.

Despite the fact there were heaps of Fish and Chippy places we hunted out a place called Fishy Fishy,  recommended by the McGregors . We got a table and had a lovely lunch  – Steve had a huge bowl of mussels and I had a lovely warm seafood salad. Then we walked around the town wishing we could take a boat ride around the little port, before heading off to Kenmare, making a few stops along the way to admire the views, the old ruins,  the people and some very  funny signs.

Drove into pretty Kenmare and it’s two main streets were jumping. Lots of visitors for the bank holiday. Most if them local Irish we think. But the place was jumpin’.

We found our B&B just a ten minute walk out of town , met Finnoula and Danny the owners and unpacked into our room. It’s very comfortable and should be quiet. Sometimes I feel funny in B&Bs . It’s like staying with friends you don’t know well and one has to behave! No funny noises!

We walked into town and found one pub after the next to have a drink and chat. Not being very hungry after a big lunch and a cider to warm me up,  I settled on a bowl of soup and Steve had Guinness sausages. We decided to wait for the music to start but I think Paddy or  Danny or whatever his name is,  was chatting and drinking himself. So  he finally started at 9.30. Nothing much happen too early here  They like their late nights! We sang along for a few of the rowdier songs and then left for home before we drank too much Guinness. We had the ring of kerry to drive in the morning and didn’t want to have hangovers!

Big sleep before we do The Ring…… The famous ring of Kerry.

We drove through rain to Kilkenny and between showers the sun came out. We like to think its us! Kilkenny s a lovely town on a river with its very own castle.

We found  our hotel. All the good B&Bs were booked as its the bank holiday this weekend. So we arrived at the rather lovely Hibernian  Hotel and found it was lovely. They gave us an upgrade to a suite ! We thought lucky us but it seems it could be a backhander as she warned there maybe noise due to the late night disco on the ground floor. Yikes! But there were double glazed windows so we slept v well.

That afternoon we visited the castle and like everything else it  is very old and gradually being done up. It’s set in beautiful grounds. We walked around the town, window shopping and visiting churches. I must say for a catholic country it doesn’t feel very catholic. In fact the religion seems to be drinking ! There are so many pubs. I’ve developed a taste for Guinness and cider.

We had a really great dinner at Zuni a small restaurant we found near the hotel and the food was lovely.

We spent the night in the “suite” and didn’t hear the pub noise, though the next morning they told us it lasted till 3am! My earplugs worked well.

The next morning we walked around the v quiet town and took some photos before heading for Kinsale and onto Kenmare.

We have a VW polo and Steve is enjoying driving…. I think! I’m enjoying being a passenger. 

In Dublin fair city….where the girls are so pretty ….I first set my eyes on sweet Molly Malone.

Loved the street theatre. These ones made us laugh.

St Anne’s Street. The streets are great for wandering

Beautiful flowers on every street

Went to the Library and there were some great scenes from the past.

St Anne’s Street Dublin. Streets are wonderful to wander along. Lots to see

View from the house in Canary Wharf

Had to get up very early to make our way to the station then Gatwick airport. We’d had  a lovely meal cooked by our host Ian the night before and a few glasses of Italian red so it was hard to get up!

But we made it to Gatwick – not  the best airport in the world. It always seems crowded with groups of people going on cheap holidays to Europe . All flying Rynair which is not the best airline, but you get what you pay for….. and have to keep paying for anything extra. It’s a free for all when boarding starts! I’m surprised you don’t have to pay to use the toilets!

The plane left late and we arrived into Dublin around 11.30 a and at our hotel, Wynn’s Hotel, too early to check in. So we found a pub( really easy in Ireland) and had lunch. Both of us had cider as its so refreshing.

The Hotel in Abby St was a good find. It’s old, central, lovely room for a big breakfast and nice comfortable room ( 5th floor overlooking Abbey St , with an opening window)

We were an easy walk to the bridge across to the main area for bars and music.
Really enjoyed our days wandering the streets of Dublin. Did a walking tour  which included the university – a good thing to do.

Also did the hop on and off bus and tours of the Guinness brewery and Jameisons whiskey. Both really good. Had lunch at Guinness on the top floor. Really good.