Spring break 2017 and we went for a short excursion to the Republic of Ireland (or Ireland). It was a self driving trip from Dublin to Killarney, Ring of Kerry and Skellig Ring, Galway and back to Dublin.
Rock of Cashel
Between Dublin and Killarney, we made a detour to Rock of Cashel in Cashel, County Tipperary. It's a collective ruin of medieval structure consist of a castle, a cathedral, a chapel and the oldest structure which is a Round Tower built sometime in 1100AD. On the lawn outside the northern side were graves and the whole structure which sits on a plateau are enclosed in a wall. From Rock of Cashel, you will get a commanding view of the area around it.
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| Rock of Cashel |
Ring of Kerry
From the resthouse in Killarney, we took the Ring of Kerry route. A 179km circular route from Killarney, take the N70 and N72 route and back to the town.
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| singboard indicating the Ring of Kerry route |
We took a side journey to a place called Gap of Dunloe. Gap as the gap goes is a narrow pass between mountain range and it is part of the heritage area. You can take a horse-drawn trap (carriage where up to 4 passengers seat facing one another) up the narrow passage - for a price and the guide will tell you about the area. Depends on how chatty you are. But the view was stunning, with the lakes, mountain range and the Wishing bridge.
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| Gap of Dunloe in monochrome |
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| parking at the entrance of the gap |
We passed picturesque town and settlements along the route.
After Caserhiveen, we took another detour to R565 route which the signboard by the road said Skellig Ring.
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| Skellig Ring clearly marked |
There's the small town of Portmagee and the after that was the steep Kerry Cliffs and the Beehive huts. The flat stone are stacked and with each layer bending closer and narrower to the top.
We stopped awhile at the St. Finian's Bay and went down to the beach to take some pictures and barely a kilometre driving we stopped again at the Skellig's Chocolate factory. It featured an open kitchen where you can see the process of chocolate making and packing right in front of you.
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| choices choices.... |
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| the kitchen |
Ballinskellig Castle was next and we explored the area. Just be careful with the tide and your step when exploring the castle. We finally stopped for lunch at a place called Sneem.
Dingle Peninsula
A trip suggested by a friend of mine, contacted when I was online. It was a pleasant surprise to know you have a friend in Ireland. She suggested Dingle and the Conor Pass, scenic she said and that's what we did.
Take the R559, Slea Head Drive to get to Dunbeg Fort a 500B.C settlement by a cliff and then the Prehistoric Beehive hut - 2000B.C which the children would enjoy to see how people long time ago lived. Near Clogher Head car park, there's a plaque on the ground indicating the area in the distance was the location of the latest Star Wars film.
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| among the beehive huts |
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| Madam bent double to exit the hut...and she is 1.70m |
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| Dunbeg Fort... built circa 500BC |
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| Pointing towards the filming location |
Conor Pass was another scenic stop. Theres a parking lot to stop and do a little hike up the hill. From then on, it's just a down and along the R560 till the fork into N86. We got stuck in Tralee's traffic and were fortunate to made it to Tarbert. In any of my trips, I try my best so the children would get to ride different sort of transport.
Conor Pass and the environs
In Tarbert, we took the RO-RO ferry (roll on, roll off), Shannon Ferries across the estuary. We bought the ticket online and got it printed. I think you can also buy it onboard. On board there's a tuck shop selling hot coffee and snacks and some souvenirs too! It was quite an experience....everything slows down and there nothing much you can do except enjoy the view. Off to Galway!
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| RO-RO Ferry |
Cliffs of Moher
These are steep cliffs by the Atlantic Ocean. It is steep and I just let the trigger happy finger to snap photos of the place. You might get a little careless trying to get the best shot, but be careful. The authorities had done their best fence the area but a little effort you will be on the other side...the dangerous side. Again, be caution. There's a very extensive and interactive info centre, a nice souvenir store and a cafe at the visitor's centre.
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| Cliffs of Moher |
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| O'Brien's Tower in the distance |
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| O'Brien's Tower |
We visited a castle, the Danguaire Castle where it was once owned by the lord of the area built in 1500's and got a new lease of life under Lady Christobel Amptil in 1950's. Now its under a corporation and it's open to public. You do see a lot of castles in Ireland, because it's basically a house of the landowners. "A man's home is his castle"... literally.
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| The banquet hall |
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| Ballinskellig castle |
Secret trip....
This time around, we had prepared something special for the children. It's something I bumped into when doing my research for this trip. Till next week!
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