Ireland Part II

After spending the better part of the day exploring Killarney National Park, it was time to head to Dingle. Our B&B in Dingle was our favorite - "The Quayside B&B". Formerly a barn, the bed and breakfast occupies the entire second floor, while three businesses (a toy shop, a small market and another shop that is escaping me at the moment ...a coffee shop maybe? ) share the downstairs with the B&B.

 

Like our other stays, we woke up to a traditional Irish breakfast, complete with some of the strongest coffee I have ever had. Morris, one of the owners and our talented cook joined us mid-way through our meal. After asking us where we were from, our plans for the rest of our holiday and inquiring as to Daniel's Irish heritage, Morris proceeded to share several stories from his childhood as a young lad growing up in Ireland.

 

 

This breakfast was by far my favorite. The food was good, don't get me wrong, but the conversation is really what made the morning so memorable.

After checking out of our B&B we decided to wonder around the charming town of Dingle before heading towards Slea Head for our scenic drive.

If this building doesn't scream, "I belong in Ireland" I don't know what would.

 

 

THIS building is  1. A Bar  2. A Hardware Store AND 3. A bike rental store.
ALL - three - in - one.

Across the street from our B&B.

 

Time to head towards the Dingle Peninsula to do the Slea Head Drive. 

 

S L E A   H E A D   D R I V E

Shout out to our tiny little car for helping us navigate the NARROW and extremely WINDY roads.

Daniel found this sign quite comical.

Our attempt at a selfie thwarted by the wind & the zoom on our camera.

 

All along the way there were perfect little places to pull our car over to get out & explore, and of course take pictures and climb on large stone walls surrounded by sheep - the usual stuff.

 

The entire drive is about 30 miles.

 

If you're ever in Dingle, Slea Head is a MUST SEE!

 

From Dingle we headed towards Ennis - no particular reason we picked Ennis other than it seemed like a good mid-way point to make our way towards the Cliffs of Moher first thing Saturday morning. We wanted to beat out all the tour buses that roll in early afternoon-ish.

 

T H E   C L I F F S  O F   M O H E R

 

Although it was the cloudiest day of our entire trip, the views were still unbeatable.

 

 

 

O' Brien Tower

 

Paying 2 euro a person, you're able to climb all the way to the top of the tower.

 

The view from atop the tower.

 

{Thankful for the sweet couple who offered to take our picture

in exchange for us returning the favor!}

 

 

If you squint, you can see O' Brien Tower all the way back, to the left.

 

Despite the mud and foggy-ness, we walked all the way to the tower and all the way around the other side. With views like these, how could you not?! Our boots still have mud on them.

 

After spending several hours at the Cliffs it was time to find some food!

 

Heading back towards the airport in Kerry for our flight out the next morning, we made our final stop in Co. Clare.

 

But first, food!

 

"Durty Nelly's Pub"

And of course some shopping at the wool factory. ...I believe if I didn't loose count this had to have been the 9th "woolen factory" type store we went into on our trip.

 

 

The last stop before our final B&B and flight back to Germany -- Bunratty Castle.

{Can you see Durty Nelly's to the right?} 

 

From here two very tried tourists headed straight for our B&B. We were the only guests staying at this particular B&B so, after getting the pick of the rooms, we unpacked and took the owners advice and headed to another local pub to grab a bite to eat and catch some live music.

 

Sunday morning, after a two hour delay in the Kerry Airport we headed home.

 

 

My apologizes if this post took F-O-R-E-V-E-R to load because of ALL the pictures.

 

 

Ireland Part I

Happy belated Thanksgiving. Our Thanksgiving was anything but tradition this year. Since we couldn't be with family, we decided to travel. Being the "off season" we were able to get tremendous deals on flights. From there we booked four different bed & breakfasts, a rental car, mapped out our rout {with a LOT of assistance from our neighbors - thanks guys!} and narrowed down our must sees.

First stop, Blarney Castle. Couldn't go to Ireland and not kiss the Blarney Stone.

 

 

Only a million more winding staircases to go.

 

 

 

And kiss it we did.

 

You see that hand on the left, the one holding onto our jackets? ...Well, I guess several years ago they decided it would be a good idea to hire someone to sit by the Stone so that people didn't fall through the opening below my head. They also installed those nifty metal bars to make things a little less challenging.

 

 

The view from the top.

 

The narrow, winding stairs were enough to build up my appetite ...that and the whole 4:00 AM wake up, two hour flight etc.

 

 

Daniel won this one. His "traditional Irish stew" was perfection. My homemade tomato basil wasn't a bad second. AND let me just tell you about that brown bread. YUM. 

 

 

We enjoyed walking around the extensive grounds & viewing the Castle from all its many angles.

 

 

 

The Blarney House

 

Wishing Steps // Tradition has it that if you walk up these steps wet, uneven steps with your eyes closed & back down backwards, still with your eyes closed the Blarney Witch will grant your wish. Daniel made it all the way up with his eyes closed. I wasn't so brave.

 

 

From here, it was time to check-in to our first B&B. We slept like babies.

One of the reasons we opted to do B&B on this trip was the famous "Irish Breakfast" promised with each one. So, first thing Thursday morning {Thanksgiving} we headed towards the smell of fresh bacon and enjoyed a delicious Irish breakfast and some nice conversation with the owner & two other Irish guests.

 

Thursdays agenda -- Killarney National Park.

 

First stop, Ross Castle.

 

 

 

 

 

My prince charming ;)

 

From the castle we headed towards the old abbey, estate and waterfall.

Luckily for us, after parking by the gate we were met by our tour guide Patrick and his horse Sally. It had been a long time since either of us had been on a house and buggy ride. {Perhaps since my sophomore year of collage when Daniel came to visit & I took him to tour Historical Philly.}

I ask, what could be better then touring the Irish countryside by horse drawn cart with my love?! Oh and we got to use plaid blankets.

 

This Yew tree is over 300 years old.

 

 

Patrick said this is called "Friar's Walk". One said is lined with lime trees & the other, chestnut trees.

 

 

Muckross House.

 

 

How would you like to wake up to this view every morning?

 

 

Sally couldn't go up this part so she nicely parked & allowed us to climb out so we could hike to the waterfall.

 

 

 

Tomorrow... Dingle. Dingle to Ennis. Ennis to the Cliffs. Cliffs to Kerry. Kerry to the Airport.

 

Stay turned for Ireland Part II.