Among the many highlights today was watching Katie Taylor, local Irish lass,  win a GOLD medal at the Olympics. She had captured the imagination of all the Irish and even us! We had to make a stop during our drive to find a country pub and watch the flight with an assortment of folk who were our friends by the end of the fight.

In the morning we drove out to the Connemara area stopping first at Clifden which was abuzz with a pony show. The streets were busy with streets stalls selling all manner of things including hens. We continued on to the most beautiful place – Kylemore  Abbey – which was built as a house , a gift from a husband to his new wife. It’s a real love story. They had 9 children and when on holiday on the Nile,  Margaret Henry died. He, Mitchell Henry, returned and had a Chapel built in the style of a Cathedral. It is gorgeous.

We also visited the garden, a walled garden, so lovely. It was bought by the Benedictine nuns after WW2 when their Abbey in Belgium was bombed. They started a school for young ladies. It’s not a school now but the nuns are still there and run a craft business – making soap, chocolate and other assorted things.

We left the Abbey and planned on finding a suitable place to watch Katy fight the fight of the year. We stopped at a small country pub called the Anglers Rest.  We rushed in and every eye in the place turned and  looked at us – the interlopers! I asked “has the fight started” and they all broke into smiles and welcomed us with encouraging  cries of “come in ….it’s about to start!”
It was a gem. By the time the fight was over and  GOLD won, we had new friends.

Tonight back in Galway we plan to hit the streets which are alive with people celebrating. In my opinion the Irish like a good flight and know how to celebrate.

Photos soon. Its not easy putting them on with the iPad. Does anyone know an easy way ?

Arrived in Galway this evening after a big day of driving and sight seeing. We set off from the B&B in Dingle at around 9 and it was a pea souper ! We tried to see more of the coast but it was thick fog. So we continued onto Tralee where we had a little walk , looked at all the roses got some info from the tourist office and scooted off for the ferry across the Shannon River. Weather started to clear and we had a good drive along the coast.

Stopped for lunch by the water and as the pub began to fill quickly ( we were the only people for about  5 min) and we realised why. Katie the local Irish lassie was about to box in the Olympic Games!. And box she did  – winning easily and providing some very colourful commentary from the announcers. She goes for GOLD  tomorrow and they predict the whole of Ireland will come to a halt at 5pm tomorrow. Can’t wait!

Drove onto the Cliffs of Moher and by now it was fine and sunny. We only got a little lost because we decided to take a more minor road to look at the scenery and before we knew it we were lost. We stopped to ask directions from  a lady out walking along a country lane with 5 children and she gave some very encouraging directions. Then she told us she wasn’t a local so could be wrong! How very Irish. We found the cliffs , along with lots of other tourists and climbed up the side to look over the magnificent cliffs. The area around the cliffs is all farm land with lots of stone fences and cattle grazing so it’s an interesting scene with all the tour buses around the area.

We continued on and came to Doolin. I had heard about Doolin from Pip, my niece , who went to the McGann pub – my maiden name for those who don’t know that interesting fact!. Pip had gone there during her travels,  so we followed  her instructions and found it. We were going to stay the night but I’m glad I changed in favour of 2 nights in Galway, as Doolin although quaint was just a little too small.

We found the McGann pub and I went in, all smiles, and we found two men at the bar . One had no teeth ( slight exaggeration ) and the other was what we would say was  “a sandwich short of a picnic”. We asked if someone was there to serve us a drink as it seemed very quiet.
Just then a lady came out all happy gappy smiles,  wild red hair and looked strangely at me when I said my name was McGann. I asked if there was anyone named McGann around the area and she and the toothless man laughed together and said “oh no McGanns are from around Ennis.” End of conversation! I wonder at the name of the pub!
We sat outside in the bright sunshine drinking and watched all these young people down the street drinking as well -all dressed up . It was their deb ball for the end of their school days! Very glamourous they were too .

We left Doolin and made our way to Galyway and into a lovely apartment. We needed a washing machine so I changed from a B&B and found a new apartment  – huge with a washing maching. It even has views down towards the bay. I love Booking.com. You can book and change booking usually with no penalty…….

Watched a bit of Olympics and went to dinner where !!!!  surprise they had the Olympics on and we saw yet another Irish boxer in action . It seems Paddy Barnes ,who was trained at the Holy Family Golden Glove Boxing club in Belfast was going to win a bronze. What a name for a boxing club. These Irish love a fight!

We’re looking forward to seeing Katy win GOLD tomorrow..

After a very good sleep and Irish breakfast including the home made soda bread , we took the car with directions from Finnoula and started the “ring” we decided to do it Clockwise opposite to the tour buses. We also wanted to go across to Valentia an small island off the south end of the ring. It was where the first underwater cable was laid.
The drive was everything we thought.  Spectacular scenery, rolling hills, narrow lane – roads lined with either trees or stone fences. It was gorgeous.
We passed several small towns making a few stops – one for a coffee but sadly weren’t up to a Guinness at the beach bar. There was a beach with sand and a  camping area and a sign encouraging one to stop for a drink at “Irelands only beach side bar”. We had a laugh at that one!

We continued on and at Portmagee crossed over the bridge to Valentia. We made a stop for lunch at Knight’s Town.. It was obviously a summer holiday spot with some very English sounding people there for boating and that afternoon there was to be a rowing carnival. Everyone was rugged up and it didn’t feel like summer. The locals were all complaining about the rain! We drove along the island toward the ferry back to the mainland.

We drove back along the Ring after using the car ferry to get back to the mainland. Passed through a town with horses and cows for sale and I had to resist – as I saw one very cute cow!

We were going to take a short cut across the ring but got a little lost (no signs and very confusing) Ended up visiting a car museum with a very interesting Irish gentleman named John showing us his cars . There in his big shed he had around 35cars, motor bikes and even a jeep. Steve had a ball talking to him and he was so sweet .

We arrived back intime to do some emails and a chat with Finnoula  before setting off on our 10 min walk into town. We had dinner at Foley’s followed by a drink at Ryan’s ( where we chatted to a funny man called Martin who loves Australians and told me his Mother’s name was Frances)  and a final drink at O’Malleys to listen to some music. I Love all the names of the pubs!   Then home to bed.

TUESDAY

We had an early start driving through the most beautiful landscape to Muckross House set in gorgeous gardens by a lovely lake. The weather had cleared and it was blue and sparkly. We did a tour and found out all sorts of info from our little guide named Mary McCarthy. We had lunch in Killarney ( we were glad we had stayed in Kenmare as it was very touristy here) then  moved on towards the Dingle .

We started to see some beaches and as its summer holidays, there were bodies on the beaches.
We stopped at Inch beach and just watched . It was so funny to see the cars drive right down onto the sand where signs warned them to drive carefully in the sand! There were kids having surfing lessons, kids digging, dogs running,  people drinking coffee at the cafe and everyone seemed to own a wet suit. Must be very cold in that water .

Continued onto Dingle and found it to be a charming little seaside town. Quite arty crafty. They had a trail of  arts and crafts which we visited followed using the map supplied at the Information Centre. Found a great leather place. Had to drive down a very long drive but finally arrived at a showroom – very small and very tastefully done. Beautiful bags on sale so I couldn’t resist. Steve promised to carry it home for me (long with the beautiful throw rug I bought at Muckross House).

 So we booked into our B&B  Dunlvin House to find she had given our front room away. The room was got was on the back of the house and was really very good. For 70E a night with a big breakfast it was a bargin. We freshened up and made our way back to town for a drink and dinner.

We walked around the town and finally booked for dinner at a shack (called Out of the Blue) which had come recommended  – it sold fish but NO CHIPS! We got the last table and that was at 8.30. So started with a little pub crawl. Dinner was just great. Again not just a Fish and Chippery. Really good seafood.

I had wanted to stay at Castlewood House which we passed on the walk back into Dingle. It looked lovely.  Anyone booking here try and get a little closer in to save walking along a very dark road after a few drinks!

In saying that – our B&B was quiet and breakfast great.

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