More Ireland photos? I hope you’re not tired of them. Friday, October 7, we did the 111 mile Ring of Kerry Drive. But, before I talk about that, I have a photo to share from Adare Manor, where we stayed.
I would have loved to see the falconry, but it was $125 an hour to participate. I really think they should let you watch. I would have paid $25 to watch. But, it tells you a little about the place we stayed.
The Ring of Kerry is a 111 mile circular tourist route around County Kerry. We followed the recommendation to drive it counter-clockwise, beginning in Killarney, and ending up there. You can see why they make the recommendation when you see the photos. On the right are the bays and ocean. On the inside of the ring are mountains. It’s stunning scenery.
We did start in Killarney.
This was ANOTHER cathedral we couldn’t go into because of a funeral. But, we did see the funeral procession later when we were leaving town. It was the first time I’ve ever seen the family walking behind the hearse, other than on television. Linda told Kevin they went into all kinds of cathedrals in Germany, and no one had died and they didn’t miss any due to funerals.
Kevin told me to tell everyone this was my favorite group of musicians in Ireland. (Ahem)
Then, Glenbeigh. The first pictures are the inside of the Ring of Kerry.
Now, the waterside, Glenbeigh – Rossbehy.
One of my favorite pictures of the whole trip – Linda & Kevin.
I had to share this one from a cemetery in Glenbeigh.
Then, Glenbeigh – Kilkeehagh.
Kells – Gleensk
Cahersiveen
Daniel O’Connell Memorial Church of the Holy Cross in Cahersiveen. And, check out the gorgeous carving on the Station of the Cross.
I took lots of photos of Valentia. It was there at the Skellig Experience that we heard about Skellig Michael and Little Skellig, islands where monks built Beehive huts. The islands are difficult to get to, with difficult steps to climb to the top where the monks’ huts were. And, yet, the islands were invaded.
You have to look closely. The Skelligs are difficult to see from any place. We went a couple places to try to see them. Linda was determined. But, they’re those very faint islands in the back in the last few photos.
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| Kevin deserved to be king of the hill for his patience with us. |
Waterville Loher
Kenmare
See these sheep? They were supposed to be INSIDE that fence. They knew it, too, from the look they gave us.
Let me tell you about the Kenmare Stone Circle. This is the biggest stone circle in the southwest of Ireland. Stone circles were built during the Bronze Age, 2200-500 B.C. They were thought to be for ritual and ceremonial purposes. That’s a burial monument in the center. According to what I read, these stone circles are rarely found outside of southwestern Ireland. (And, poor Kevin. Sacrificed for Linda and me to see Ireland.)
Muckross – Incheens – Ruins right alongside the road as we were driving by.
A full day, another day of about twelve hours. We ended it back in Adare at Sean Collins & Sons where we listened to traditional music, had dinner, and toasted the trip with Irish coffee.
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| Musicians at Sean Collins & Sons |
Great photos Lesa!
I do recall seeing funerals taking place in small villages around Dungarvan (Co Waterford) when i stayed with my friend whose family lived there. I too had never seen people walking behind the hearse before, but it was standard practice and, I felt, showed real respect.
I'm sorry you weren't able to see the falconry – there are often displays around north-east Scotland (often at National Trust properties, but also at summer agricultural shows, Highland Games, etc) that you can see for free – I've never heard of people being charged just to watch.
Sheep in the road are common sights in rural Scotland, especially on the west coast and the islands, where fields are often not fenced. When we were on Islay in September I spent a lot of time dodging nonchalant wanderers.
There are actually quite a lot of stone circles in northern Scotland (I know this because my mother-in-law always wanted to see them in the days when she still visited, and my children loathed being dragged round boring fields with a few rocks in them!) Maybe the ones in Ireland are different in some way?
My Irish friend has been on a pilgrimage to one of those holy islands off the coast (not sure which) – I think you have to walk in circles to the top, doing the Stations of the Cross as you go along. And you're supposed to do it barefoot. Irish weather means that's a lot worse than going up the steps to those cathedrals in Rome on your knees!
I have done the Ring of Kerry, though many years ago – I think you did it at the right time of year, as in the summer, as I recall, it is more like a ring of buses! It's one of the tick list things for people on organised tours.
I've just bought a charity shop copy of the DVD of The Magdalene Sisters, which I have seen but not for a long time – and which, of course, shows the other side of Ireland – but things have changed a lot since those days, and it really is a beautiful country.
I'm so glad you had such a fabulous time.
Rosemary
Not tired of them! Very enjoyable.
Love these, Lesa; I feel like I'm there. Please continue! ~Tricia
Rosemary, I love to read your comparisons of Scotland and Ireland. Thank you for talking about it. We only saw a few sheep in the road on this trip. And, the comments about the stone circles are just what I read. I certainly don't know for sure. (smile)
Thank you, Bill. As I said earlier, this was my trip of a lifetime. I enjoyed every second of it.
Tricia, Not too much left – Adare, Limerick & Dublin & we really weren't in Dublin very long. But, Kevin said we'd go back & I'd go back in a heartbeat.
Thanks for sharing, Lesa! I could look at the gorgeous scenery and churches all day long 🙂
I'm so glad people aren't upset that I'm sharing Ireland photos instead of books for a few days. Thanks, Kim!
Simply wonderful. What an amazing and memorable trip. I would have loved to see the falconry.
Me, too, Beth. But, I wasn't going to pay $125 to try it.
Wonderful pictures. Please don't stop now.
One more day of photos, Gram. I'm going to miss them, too.
What wonderful, wonderful pictures!!
And Lesa, you'll be making a trip back to Ireland, I believe.
Kaye, I think I'll go back to Ireland, too. I haven't seen Northern Ireland yet!
Thanks again for more gorgeous photos and interesting historical tidbits.