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

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. 

We had a lovely start to the day and then a walk  around the Docklands area. We walked along the river had a coffee and eventually stopped at Gordon Ramsey’s riverside cafe. Gorgeous! Had fish and chips which looked great, tasted terrific and later I felt it in ever increasing stomach!
Walked back and packed up. Tears and goodbyes to Liz and Peter. Would love to stay and be at the waterpolo but not this time. Somehow Beijing can’t be repeated.

So we got the taxi across to Islington / Angel. What a great area. Lots going on . Fantastic shops, restaurants people. Staying with Ian and Ali Barnes an old school friend of Steve’s. They have a 5 story house on a really interesting street.  We sat in their garden and had drinks and the. A walk around the area. A glass of chilled Prosecco and a chat filled the time till we left for dinner. We went to a great middle eastern place Ottolunghi. Long white shared tables with candles in between eaters. Lots of  wine. Lots of yummy share plates -spiced beetroot, lamb and smoked eggplant , duck, octopus. I’m going to buy the cookbook and treat all my friends to some great dishes.

TUESDAY

Woke early. Had coffee and hit the road for the city. Steve decided to stay and help move Ian’s son into his new house. I went and had coffee with Fee a lovely friend of Robs. Then lots of wandering. Bond street – where I pretended to be rich ( didn’t convince anyone) Burlington Arcade, St James St and eventually the National Art Gallery . We we going to meet Phoebe but her building had no power so she had to work from home. So Steve met me and we wandered thought the beautiful Gallery. Saw the Titian exhibition including the room with the peep hole into a bathroom with a nude lady moving about going about doing what one does in the bathroom . Phoebe who works for the Gallery told us all about it ……

Now I’m sitting sipping a chilled white in the kitchen while Ian cooks dinner. What a lovely day.

Hello to all at home and I’m sorry I haven ‘t put photos on yet but uploading them to the iPad is more difficult than I thought .

Tomorrow the lad of the wee little green people.  Xxxxx