It's been pretty busy and I haven't has as much time to write as I has hopes. So, here's an update for today (Sunday). I'll catch up and add Saturday later.
We departed Galway and travelled to County Clare. Our first stop today was at the Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. We were able to tour the inside of the castle and walk through the park that was made up of different buildings typical of the late 1800's representing different aspects of life during that time such as the homes, schools and farms.
We continued on to County Kerry and had lunch in Dingle. Here things were abuzz as everyone was anxiously awaiting the start of the all Ireland Gaelic football championship between Dublin and Kerry. Gaelic football is an amateur sport, but has a huge following. There were Kerry flags and colors (green & gold - go figure) everywhere. It was fun to be a part of the excitement for a bit. In case you're wondering, the game came down to the wire with Dublin winning in the last few seconds.
After lunch, we drove around the Dingle Peninsula. We saw the rugged Atlantic coast, the rolling green hills of grass dotted with sheep and cows and divided by lines of trees or shrubs making the landscape look like a patchwork quilt. We were very lucky with the weather on our drive. There was no sleeping on this drive with a narrow road that hugged the sometimes quite elevated coastline and also threw us a couple of hairpin turns.
We were very lucky with the weather on our drive. We had misty clouds for part of the time that made the landscape even more dramatic. But later the clouds broke and we had some sun and blue sky enabling us to see the nearby Blasket Islands and to snap some spectacular pictures of Duncuin, an area on peninsula with a rugged, rocky coastline and a sandy beach.
After our beautiful drive, we headed to Tralee and our hotel. We had a lovely dinner and some of us also enjoyed an Irish coffee after dinner.
We are excited because our changes in the itinerary are allowing
us to spend Monday on the Ring of Kerry.
Kristen, thank you for these wonderful posts...I feel like I"m there! Would you please pass along the following to Marge: 1. Jack and Drew were very honored that you recognized their Eagle Scout achievement amid all your planning for the Ireland trip (Thanks for the cards), and 2. The Green Bay Packers won!
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