Ardgroom to Doolin

We left Ardgroom Friday morning, not wanting to leave our wonderful cottage but needing to move on. Bruno, the landlord's dog, came along to say hi and goodbye.
Our path took us up to Tralee, then to Tarbert to catch the ferry across River Shannon to Killrush. From there up to Doolin through many interesting small towns and wonderful landscapes. Lunch in Tralee to fuel up for the drive in Clare County.
Sunday we get on the plane for the US with our hearts still in Ireland!

Bruno - young and very cute - saying hello/goodbye.

Bags of mussels from the Kenmare bay ready to go to the restaurants..

Lunch here in Tralee - apparently a farly Catholic community.

Ferry

Crossing the Shannon River - seemed a bit like an oxymoron with coal fired power plant surrounded by wind turbines.

At a stop along the way - one we did on 2002 also - oystercatchers were busy in the surf.

Wide open country..

Doolin - around sunset

Early morning Doolin..

Thatched roof

Misty in her winter coat..

Sunshine with threatening clouds..

The old and the new in the fields..

Killarney National Park

Thursday was a stellar day, starting with a gorgeous sunrise and staying sunny until we left the park. The park sits just below Killarney town, easily accessible. It is a beautiful place, with lakes, old abbeys, graveyards, waterfalls and red deer. A primary feature, the Muckross house, dominates a great meadow and stands over the area as a large reminder of beauty in those ages.
We found out what a jaunting car was - a horse-drawn carriage that took us around the park. The driver educated and entertained us along the way. Wonderful way to travel.
We returned to the Beara and had a very good dinner at Josie's Restaurant. Diana and I had been there 12 years ago with friends and it was unchanged. It sits on a small hill on the edge of a lake - Glanmore - which is encircled by tall hills, rocks and sheep. A beautiful and special place. We met a German couple and had good conversation with them.

A good day. Friday we leave this wonderful cottage and travel to Doolin for a night.

Enjoy..

Starting the day out wonderfully..

The Abbey and cemetery

Muckross house

Statue in yard..

Red deer stag

Waterfalls in the park..

Our Jaunting car..

Red deer..

View just past Moll's Pass..

The photos below all are from Josie's Restaurant..

German couple in the dining room, wonderful view..

A trip to Dingle

Wednesday was our Dingle trip, up a bit earlier than usual and off with minimal breakfast to see the wonders of the Dingle peninsula.
On our way down the road from the cottage we spotted a pheasant in the field - a must stop for a photo. Then on down the road.
We ate, then wandered around Dingle town. Diana found an Irish linen shop finally so we have some of them coming home. Visited St. Mary's church and grounds. Had a 'flat white' at a coffee house - a very good coffee drink that the Aussies introduced. Watched the tourist crowds wander around and then re-embark on their land boats!
Then on to the spectacular scenery - so challenging to capture but so fun to try. The sun coming out after lunch helped immensely.
Enjoy!

Our pheasant in the field just down from us..

Sign found in pub - where else?

A couple of shots of the streets in Dingle town.

Marian shrine on the grounds of the Sacred Heart School..

Inside St. Mary's..

The cat looks real..

My flat white from a sidewalk shop..

Fungee the dolphin that entertains visitors in the bay..

Birds around town

On the road - spectacular views..

A welcoming creature!!

The Galluras oratory