Mike & Holly - Ireland (and a few other places)

​ Started writing this in our rental unit with the sound of sheep in the distance. Then I thought why listen to sheep when I can listen to a bartender say, "May I pour you another pint?" So this is now being updated at The Dingle Pub in Dingle, Ireland. Today's journey was traveling The Ring of Kerry. Our trusted tour guide, Rick Steves, suggested being on the road no later than 8:30am to beat the tour busses. I thought, to be on the safe side, we should leave by 6:30am, but Mike said "Damn, you're old!" He's right, I need to lighten up and be more like him. So we left at 9am. Not a cloud in the sky, the drive is an explosion of green, rolling hills and wild flowers.  Our first stop along the ring was the beach at Derrynane (like “Maryann” - Gorgeous!) Our innkeeper last night said it was spectacular and it did not disappoint! Sands are silky and white with mussel covered tide rocks. Up on a bluff was an old stone church and graveyard. I've never tho...

​This morning we were surprised by our innkeeper’s choice of t-shirt… Nebraska?! He had no idea of our connection! Crazy! After a delicious traditional Irish Breakfast we said goodbye to our lovely hosts and we’re on our way. We detoured to the Rock of Cashel. A medieval fortress dating back to 300 AD but it really flourished in the 1500s. Like a lot of Ireland Oliver Cromwell’s armies spoiled the fun.  It had a beautifully restored chapel and fantastic views. Then we made our way to the charming port town of Kinsale where we did a quick Rick Steve’s tour (never disappoints!!) and had lunch. Then more driving - gorgeous but narrow back roads - Mike is an excellent driver (in the driveway on Sundays) and landed us in Kenmare for the night.  Another charming town. We wandered the town and, of course, stopped for a pint. After dinner we stopped for some traditional Irish music but our timing was off so we only caught the last song. Hopefully we’ll find other opportunities! 🙂

​While we were in Inistioge we had to stop to take this photo of a random horse standing by the river. It looked kinda magical. Then we made our way to Kilkenny and toured the Kilkenny Castle… Built in 1260 the interiors are well restored. The picture gallery was particularly grand. With fascinating ceilings. Leaving the castle Mike needed to use the restroom but it was closed for cleaning so he used the one marked with a man holding a cane (lots of references to “age friendly” accommodations). Since he often refers to himself as “grandpa” this seemed just fine. After the castle we wandered around town and, not surprisingly, ended up at a pub. Golf was on TV which seemed appropriate. After dinner (at a restaurant called Zuni) we headed back to Stoneyford for an award-winning pour of Guinness at Malzard’s pub. It really does taste better here.

​We started by exploring the grounds of the farmhouse we’re staying in. Sometimes the dogs joined us and sometimes they cooled off in the river. The farm has chickens, goats, a pig, horses and donkeys.  Mark and Ann Marie (the proprietors) built and decorated it themselves and it’s gorgeous and cozy. We also saw this interesting tree on the property - Called a Monkey Puzzle tree. Next we walked around very quiet Stoneyford (nearby town) and stopped by Mount Juliet golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus. We ended up at the Jerpoint Abbey - Another amazing monastery from Norman times. Then we went in search of more Monkey Puzzle trees. Ann Marie told us to go to the arboretum in Inistioge. A gorgeous place where we saw an avenue of monkey puzzle trees and another row of Nordic firs.

​ Then we continued our walk to the town and stopped at the local pub for a pint and the Hurling grand final on TV. Munster won!! (Very exciting - This seemed to be who the crowd in the pub wanted.) We ate dinner in town in a lovely old mill turned into a restaurant.  It’s light late here - until after 10pm - so we had a beautiful sunset walk back through the priory.

​We left Madrid this morning and flew to Ireland. Immediately got in our rental car and drove south to the Kilkenny area. We’re staying in a charming farm house - LawcusFarm Guesthouse  (That’s Bruce) We walked into the town of Kells and stopped to explore the Kells Priory. A monastery from 1193. To get to it we first had to walk through a field of grazing sheep. At the top of the towers you can see the “covered balcony” where they dropped boiling oil on invaders while remaining hidden. It was really cool - And had a great audio tour.