Kenmare - Dingle Peninsula - August 16

Sunday morning found us enjoying one of the best breakfasts ever. Noreen is the cook and Neil is the server. Our meal started with some "zingy" juice (freshly squeezed orange juice, cranberry with a hint of fresh ginger). Theresa then had Creamy Organic Porridge and Steve had Noreen's homemade "Bircher Muesli" (topped with prune & apricot compote and a blob of natural organic yogurt). The main course for Theresa was Eggs with Smoked Salmon (Kenmare salmon) and Steve had Noreen's Blue Cheese, Pears & Bacon (slice sweet pear on toasted home-made yeast bread, smothered with melting Cashel blue cheese, served with streaky bacon & home-made tomato & apple chutney). We were completely fueled for the day. Delicious.

Our destination today was the Dingle Peninsula. We headed out the R569 to the N22 (around Killarney) out the R563, up the N70 and then a left turn toward Inch. The road near Inch brought us along Dingle Bay. The N86 takes you to Dingle and the southwestern end of the peninsula. We drove through Dingle, a small fishing port, and on to the Dunbeg Fort. This fort has been here since 500 B.C. and is another example of remarkable construction. The surrounding earth mounds provided initial protection and the stone walls and living space are ingeniously constructed. Just up the road were a series of Beehive Huts which housed families and livestock. These structures are as old as the fort.



The Dingle Peninsula has an amazing landscape - rugged - similar in some respects to the coasts of Maine or Nova Scotia - but with greater heights. The views, the sounds of the wind and water, the colors, and the narrow roads all contribute to a powerful drive.




We continued around the end of the peninsula and climbed Clogher Head. From this height of land, you can see Dingle Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. The walk/climb, the rocks, the heather, and the wind - all made this a great stop. Clogher Head is also the place that we found our "own" Blarney Stone. No we didn't stop at Blarney Castle, but we did kiss a rock on Clogher Head. Enjoy the photos.



We headed up the west coast of the peninsula and stopped to watch two rams butt heads (ouch), then up and over and past Brandon's Point/Bay, which is a world famous surfing site, up and across the Slieve Mish Mountains, through Killarney, up through Moll's Gap and back to Kenmare. It was time for dinner and we decided to have the local catch and a large helping of Fish and Chips. Fresh, Delicious, and Filling.

Back to our room - blog time - off to sleep - see you tomorrow.