Cahersiveen via Ring of Kerry

Friday, 23 August 2019

Today we have a lot to see, so we needed to get an early start.  The plan was to be out of the AirBnB by 8 AM, we made it out by 8:15 AM...not too bad.

The first stop of the day, about 1 hour down the road, is a roadside monument called Beal na Blath: Michael Collins Ambush Site.  This is where the Irish rebel leader Michael Collins was ambushed and assassinated by anti-treaty IRA guerillas on 22 August 1922, during the Irish Civil War.  It seemed his compromising ways wasn't what everyone liked.

Learning about Michael Collins

Along there drive there were many breweries.  This is one that we pulled into, but they weren't opened to the public.  It seems that a new law has been passed making it harder for craft breweries to have tasting rooms and sell beer on their premises, so we craft beer lovers have to find their beer in pubs or liquor stores.  By the way, we had one of this breweries beers yesterday and it was delicious.

Another brewery that we can't see.

After leaving the brewery, we drove about 30 minutes more and then turned on the Ring of Kerry road.  Our next stop was in Killarney National Park, the Torc Waterfall.  Along with seeing the waterfall, we hiked a loop that took about 45 minutes.  It was so lush and green...just as I pictured Ireland to be.

Torc Waterfall

We climbed for a bit and was rewarded with this view of Kenmare River, which looks like a lake, called a river, but is actually an inlet of the sea.

Trees just as I imagined they would look like in Ireland.

After the wonderful hike, we continued on the Ring of Kerry road to an overlook called Ladies View.

Continuing on the Road of Kerry for 45 minutes took us to the town on Kenmare (rhymes with "been there" according to Rick Steves).  its a small town on the River Kenmare filled with cafés, shops, and pubs.  Just a 5 minute walk for the main square is an Ancient Stone Circle consisting of 15 stones in a circle plus a central stone.   More than 3,000 years old, it is no Stonehenge, but it was pretty cool.

Notice the tree on the left with notes hanging from it.  It is a Hawthorn tree.  In Celtic mythology, Hawthorn trees are one of the most sacred trees that symbolize love and protection.  They are also known as Fairy Trees because fairies live under them so they are always treated with respect and care.  These trees are also believed to bring good luck and prosperity, so farmers never cut them down.  Supposedly, roads have been diverted to avoid cutting one down.

Anyway, we were given a note card to right our wishes on and tie it to the tree.

Back to town where Barbra and Christine wanted to walk the streets for a bit of shopping.  Tim and I walked up and down the street, so here we wait for them.

Christine has been looking for something called Poutin, Ireland's version of moonshine.  We finally found a liquor store that had three to chose from.  Christine decided to pass to see if we could find some other kinds as we travel north on the west coast.

However, Tim and I scored a few bottles of craft beer brewed in Ireland.  We are looking forward to drinking them soon.

We returned to the car and had a bit of a picnic out of the trunk of the car in parking lot before heading back on the Ring of Kerry road.  Here is a couple of photos Tim took while I was driving.

While driving by, Tim was able to get a shot of Carroll's Cove.  According to Rick Steves has some of the warmest water in Ireland along with Ireland's only beachside bar. 

Carroll's Cove

After a slight 15 minute miss and a u-turn, back past Carroll's Cove, we arrived at Stage Ring Fort.  There are 3 of these ring forts on the Ring of Kerry.  These were built somewhere between 500 BC and 300 AD without the use of mortar or cement.

Pretty impressive

Christine, Barbra, and Gerri having fun

Panoramic

These sheep were hanging out around the fort.  We assume the colors are so the farmers know whose sheep are theirs?

We drove back past Carroll's Cove for the last time and stopped at Coomakesta Pass for an incredible view.

Check out the circular looking structure in the field below.  We thought it might have been a another ring fort, but we don't think it is.  Perhaps is a corral for farm animals?

Skellig Michael in the distance

In the town of Waterville there is a sculpture of Charlie Chaplin near the waterfront.  I guess him and his family used to vacation here.

Selfie with Charlie Chaplin

Can you believe that there is a surfing beach in Ireland?  IT is called St. Finian's Bay that has recently become discovered by surfers.  There were a few on the beach, but we didn't see any catching any waves.

Here is a short video of the typical roads I had to drive today.  I am definitely getting used to driving down the left side of the road, but the narrowness of the roads without a shoulder is still a bit bothersome.

We finally arrived at our B&B in Cahersiveen around 6:30 PM.  It was a long day with a lot of driving.  The host offered to drive us to town for dinner so I didn't have to worry about having beer with dinner and driving home.  So, we settled in our rooms then took the drive into town.  

There was a massive castle-looking fort in Cahersiveen, named the Daniel O'Connell Memorial Church, built between 1888-1902.  We didn't go inside, but it looks pretty impressive from the outside.

Daniel O’Connell Memorial Church

In town we had dinner at a pub, shopped for a few groceries, and then walked the 1.6 miles back to the B&B.  Tomorrow we are going to Skellig Michael which is supposed to be one of the highlights of our entire trip to Ireland.  We must be at the pier at 9 AM, so an early morning.  We all are excited and can't wait.