Kilkenny and Waterford

Started the day by heading up to Kilkenny Castle - the restoration and f the rooms has truly paid attention to detail.

They also had the long picture gallery-

Then hit the studios in the old stable court prior to heading to the car and then pff to Waterford. There we took the tour of the crystal factory - probably only time I've seen Mom hold a football-

Of course, the crystal was pretty spectacular-

Then headed up to Dublin - and hit Friday afternoon traffic. Still made it to the B&B, where Lora Leigh and Jen had checked in earlier. We all headed to dinner, and are tucked up in bead for a day of seeing Dublin tomorrow.

Blarney Castle and Rock of Cashel

Started the day with breakfast at the B&B where we shared a table with a lovely lady from Dublin, but whom was originally from Moscow. It was raining again, but we headed off to the Butter Museum, which went through the history of the butter roads and eventual consolidation of the butter industries as Ireland entered the EU. After, we headed off to BlarneyCastle. By the time we arrived, the weather had started to clear off.

The gardens were quite spectacular, and we spent some time wandering around viewing them all, including the Poison Garden.

Next, we headed up the road - this time it was the major motorway, meaning not the twisty turny roads we've been on. A short time later, we arrived at the Rock of Cashel. We were just in time for the 3:30 tour, which turned out to be the last of the day. The Archbishop's walk and tidbits of information from the guide were well received by the group. It was a reminder not to put a metal rod inside of rock/concrete on the highest point for miles around when you get lightning storms.

The scaffolding has been there for 7 years - guide said that they would be removing it next fall. It was used to dry out the stone and allow repair work to Cormac's Chapel. We then headed over to Kilkenny, where we are bedded down in a hotel across from the castle. Had dinner looking at the river, watching the ducks, swans and human wildlife wandering the river walk.

Muckross House

Started the day with a quick visit to Ross Castle - an original tower house on the shore of an interior lake and fought over in Elizabethan times. 

Then up to Muckross House where we managed to get in the first public tour (we think) at 10:30. The house was gifted to the Irish government around the early 1920's. Queen Victoria visited with Prince Albert and four children the year he Prince died.

After the house, we revisited N71 (the road) from yesterday, through Moll's Gap again, but this time it wasn't raining, so we got to see what was behind the fog...

Then headed through Skibbereen, stopped for lunch at a Tidal flats basin in Rosscarbery, and on to Cork, where we are for the night.

Ring of Kerry

Started around the Ring of Kerry today, and the weather did not cooperate. It started off raining, and as we headed over Moll's Gap it started to clear off - we stopped at Kenmare, visiting the tourist info, a shop or two, and the lace shop. Continued on to the Atlantic way, and got halfway down - then the rain started again. 

Finished the loop and headed back to the hotel, hoping that tomorrow will be better weather . Had a really great good fish and chips back in the hotel - meant to take a photo earlier, but was hungry...

Dingle Peninsula

Started the day with an excellent breakfast at the B&B (eggs Benedict for me, croissant, ham, cheese and fruit for Mom), before heading to Ardfort Cathedral. We were there just before the doors opened. The gentleman manning the desk seemed so thrilled someone was waiting, me gave us a full overview of the location, with visual aids from postcards and the pamphlet that we didn't need to read anything! The Cathedral is one of for different incarnations at the same site.

Headed from there 1 km away to the Ardfort Friary, a contemporary location to the cathedral, but not a well visited site due to location. Then up to the Rattoo Round Tower, one of the most complete towers.

Then back down by Tralee again, to the Slea Head Costal drive- going by the Castlegregory beach, then on to  Connor Pass road to reach Dingle and the start of the drive. Quite enjoyed the views and twisty, curvy road. Not helped by the random sheep sometimes....

(The Connor Pass road, and yes, that is one lane for both up and down)

Hit a quick stop at Inch Beach on our route to Killarney where we are tied up for the night.

(View across the bay, Skellig Michael is the hazy island at the right)

Bunratty Castle to Carrigafoyle Castle

The day started with driving one whole kilometer down the road to Bunratty Castle & Folk Park. Spent several hours at the castle (1400's) and the folk park (18 to 1900's). The castle was well preserved, though it did undergo a renovation in the 1950's. The Folk Park consists of a large numberofbuildings from the era that otherwise would have been demolished.

After, we drove through the center of Limerick, the headed towards the B&B in Tralee. Mom spied a Tesco in route so we stopped and refreshed our bread and cheese before heading on down. Glad we now have awarding GPS s the route wasn't straight forward. After checking on early in afternoon, we headed north to Carrigford Castle. 

After, we headed to the town center and a park where we had a sandwich in the park, while listening to the Folk Music stadium in the background (though for about 20 minutes the KerryMuseum alarm was going off!), before  heading back to the B&B.

Letterfrack

Started and headed to Kylemore Abbey, along with their walled Victorian garden. The abbey is in a very picturesque.

Spent several hours going through it and the gardens-

Headed from there up to Foxmore, to try and see the woolen mill, but they had already shut down for the weekend - so headed towards Galway, while it seemed everyone else was headed out- just got caught in Friday evening traffic. 

Walked from the B&B to a pub for dinner, then back again, and it put us right to sleep.