A bit of blue sky...just a bit....

Well, it's pouring. So, to kill a little time before going to grab some dinner and some Guinness (Happy Arthurs Day!), I figured i'd share photos from the last two days. I believe I talked about the wonderful B&B in Kenmare. I didn't want to leave, it was so great. The man, Pat, who runs it was so nice and attentive to all who were staying there, had great recommendations for Irish music and food, and was overall a great host. If you go to Kerry, stay in Kenmare (tiny, beautiful town) and stay at the Avelow House B&B-you can find it on booking.com. Anyway, this is the cute room I had there.

Yesterday (Wednesday), I set out to do the Ring of Kerry. I started out on a winding road that looks over what is called Moll's Gap. I stopped on the side of the road a few times to snap some pics. It was SO windy, I could barely open the door and had to brace myself against the car to take pictures. The blue sky peeked out on occasion from behind the very dark clouds. 

I then came to the Killarney National Forest which has beautiful lakes, mountains, and the beautiful Torc Waterfall you will see below.

I came upon this little church, called Derrycunnihy Church. There were sheep hanging in the side yard of the church. Oh, and shortly before this, was the first time I had to stop on the road for sheep to finish crossing. I'm sure it won't be the last. 

I made my way past Killarney and onto the the coast, stopping along the way to take some photos. I missed a few things I wanted to see because the signs sneak up on you as you're travleling at 60mph and there is no way to stop or turn around. Ah, well. I saw a few of those places today instead and will see the rest on my next trip here!

At the end of the peninsula, I took a back road to check out the coast. I found the town of Ballinskelligs. There was a beautiful beach and The Ballinskelligs McCarthy Tower.

I made my way back to the main road and stopped along the way taking photos. I stopped in a great little town, Sneem, for some afternoon tea and continued on my way.

The first, and hopefully not last rainbow of my journey. I am so happy there was a small patch of gravel to pull over.

Next, I walked around Kenmare a bit taking some pics and then headed off back up toward Killarney to check out the grounds of the Muckross House, a Tudor mansion built in 1843. There was also a beautiful Abbey about a mile away from the house, also on the Muckross Estate. A guy tried to get me to pay him 20 euro to take a jaunty ride down to the Abbey and back, but walking the mile down there seemed like a much better idea. :) 

Now, I am going to get a little sentimental for a minute, which I generally don't do. 


Ireland reminds me of my grandmother for some reason. It could be that she played irish music all of the time, that she loved all things irish-sweaters, shamrocks, etc, or it could be that she drank about a gallon of tea each day. Anyway, many people know that my grandmother was one of the most important people in my life. I don't dwell on her passing a few years ago, but instead think about her often and the wonderful person she was. So, I brought a piece of her here with me (No, not an actual piece). In my bag, I am carrying the chaplet I had made from the roses at her funeral. I wanted to bring her with me because she would have loved this trip. I was actually thinking about her a lot yesterday and especially on my walk back from the Abbey. When I arrived back at the clearing, this is what I saw. It was amazing and this picture does not do it justice at all.

I went to a small town to visit the relative of someone who was a huge help to me in tracing my ancestry. I sat in this pub, drinking Guinness, surrounded by Irish men of different ages, speaking Gaelic.  They also talked to me and asked questions about Boston and what my plans were for this trip. After two pints of Guinness, I was on my way back to Kenmare (along the back, winding roads at night--I'm totally used to this driving on the left thing!). I stopped for some delicious Salmon at a pub and another Guinness before heading back to bed. 


This morning, I stopped back in Kenmare to see the Stone Circle. These stones are not native to this area and it is a mystery as to why they are there and how they got there. It is a beautiful, serene place though. After walking back through town, I set out to see a few things I missed on the Ring of Kerry before heading to Dingle. 

Ballycarberry Castle...beautiful and amazing. 

The beautiful beach in Inch on the way to Dingle.

And, finally, arrived. This B&B is not as welcoming and cozy as the last, but it's still very nice. It is right on the main street along the coast and the back has a beautiful view of the water (I'll take a pic when the rain-hopefully- stops before I leave tomorrow morning). I walked around town, stopping for tea and checking out places I may go grab a pint and dinner. And speaking of, it's almost that time, so I'm off to get ready to brave the wind and rain. Hope you enjoyed the pictures!