5/19 – The Ring of Kerry (morning)

It’s a full day of bus riding today – but we don’t care – it’s The Ring of Kerry – one of the main reasons we wanted to take this tour. Knowing we’ll be on the bus all day, we take the opportunity in the morning to go wander around Killarney and get a little morning exercise. We end up circling the hotel, passing by the Killarney Courthouse with the fighting stag sculpture, then following the road around to the Killarney Park Hotel and making use of the real park behind it, before finally coming back to our hotel to get ready for the tour.

And then we are off. Initially I was thinking about not boring you all with all the scenic countryside photos, but The Ring of Kerry is just that – scenic countryside and seaside photos, of which, well, there are a lot. Skip or peruse at your leisure!

Our first stop of the day is at a viewpoint above the Lower lakes, looking out over the Killarney National Park, right near the ruins of an old Castle Keep. It is a beautiful day for a drive and scenic views so far, and we are crossing our fingers hoping the rain stays away.

Next we drove through the town of Killorglin with the statue of King Puck, or King Goat. The town has a Puck Festival for the Travelers (gypsies) every year during which the King Goat, named Elvis, is paraded through town and crowned during the festivities. There is some story about why the goat, but…well…it’s lost in the memory cells.

Time for a little break, we stopped at the Red Fox Inn for Baileys coffee which was a treat from Alacoque. A cute little pub/cafe, it was perfect place to sit outside and drink our morning pick me up. As we were leaving, the owner gave Alacoque little bottles of Baileys and Irish Whiskey as a thank you for bringing in the business and she gave us the Baileys bottle. So sweet.

Back on the bus, we quickly make our way to a viewpoint of the River Laune off Lake Caragh outside the Kerry Bog Village. Fabulous.

Beyond the incredible scenery, there is a man with donkey – and a dog sitting atop it! – selling St. Bridget’s crosses made out of reeds. He’s actually making the reed crosses right there, which is fascinating in and of itself, but I’m captivated by the dog! He is so cute, just sitting there on that donkey, not caring one whit that we are there or around. And then he stands up! Aw, just leave me here all day to watch him please.

Not 15 minutes later and we are stopping at another view point for stunning views across an Atlantic Ocean inlet. Gorgeous water and mountain views. Look at that sky!

There is a dog here too – they are everywhere – and they are the same. Doesn’t care one little bit you are there, even when I talk to him, and take photos. He just turns his head, like, “Huh, I’m so bored….” At least he is dressed for the weather and mom has taken care to give him a cushion so he isn’t too cold or uncomfortable.

By noon, we stop in the little town of Waterville to stretch our legs by the sea side. There is a nice promenade where we can walk in the windy cool afternoon. And a statue of Charlie Chaplin! The town had it made as a thank you to him for spending his vacations there for many years. There is also a Mick O’Dwyer statue, who we learn is a well known Kerry football manager.