Crossing the Shannon and the Dingle Peninsula
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| Dingle Peninsula |
Didn't get a lot of sleep last night, by the time I had celebrated with my relations then came home and wrote up the blog. And I knew this morning I was going to cross the Shannon River by ferry to save 100 miles or so of driving. The trip only takes 20 mins and I've done it before, so I knew what to expect. The ferry goes on the hour, so I needed to get to Killimer by 10am, meaning I needed to leave by 8.45am. That was a big ask...! But I made it.
Once again I have jagged a beautiful day. I cannot believe how the sunshine is following me around Ireland. Even if it rains from now on, I'm still ahead!
So you line up the car in a queue and then just drive off at the other end. I hopped out of the car to take a few pics on the ferry, but I have to admit it was a bit breezy out there in the middle.
Here's the ferry..
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| Just about to drive on to the ferry |
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| Looking to the other side in Kerry |
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| That's my car in the middle - Susie Suzuki |
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| looking back towards Clare |
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| In the middle... |
It was a lovely calm day (thank you Jesus!) and the trip was uneventful and before you know it you're on the other side in a different county.
We landed at Tarbett, then the next town along was Listowel - home of Tadgh Kenneally (Sydney Swans player for those who don't know!)
Stopped in Tralee (home to Mary Catlin) and had a coffee at the pub. I love the pubs for meals and coffees because they're always warm, they have good wifi and great toilets!!!
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| Tralee |
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| Tralee |
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| Tralee |
That was all lovely enough, but once again the spectacular was about to begin...
Today was task was to drive the Dingle Peninsula, and what a pleasurable task it proved to be.
I took the mainstream road into Dingle from Tralee, and that was only medium spectacular. I meant to take the WAW route, but I had a car up my bum and missed the turn off, but it still had lovely views...
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| On the way to Dingle |
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| On the way to Dingle |
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| On the way to Dingle |
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| On the way to Dingle |
Dingle town is a pretty place. It's a fishing harbour with quaint little shops. Had a nice lunch, once again in the pub, where I also caught up with all my emails.
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| Dingle Harbour |
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| Dingle Harbour |
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| Dingle Harbour |
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| Map of WAW |
I had saved up the most spectacular for after lunch - The
Slea Head Drive, which goes right around the Dingle Peninsula.
I have done the Ring of Kerry twice, and, sure, it's lovely, but Dingle leaves it for dead. Each turn in the road reveals another amazing view, and once again Iwas jumping in and out of the car to try to capture the beauty... almost impossible though!
You have a mixture of pastoral and magnificence of nature..eg..
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| Slea Head Drive |
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| Slea Head Drive |
I'll just add the pics because words cannot really describe the "wow" factor that is just an everyday occurrence in Ireland.
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| Slea Head Drive. Mountains of Ring of Kerry in background |
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| Slea Head Drive |
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| Slea Head Drive |
Even Jesus had a great view..
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| Shrine on the road... |
Then we turned the corner..
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| Slea Head Drive |
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| Slea Head Drive |
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| Bay made famous by Ryan's Daughter film |
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| Info about Ryan's Daughter |
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| Always grab someone to take my pic... |
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| Slea Head Drive |
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| Slea Head Drive |
It's so hard to really describe the beauty that just confronts you around every bend. Especially on such a glorious day as this... Hope the images just give you some idea of how magical this place is.
So I eventually landed back in Dingle and it was about 3.30pm.
Big decision coming up... Do I go on to Killarney for the night or do I just bunker down in Dingle? Given my Glencolmcille experience I have to admit I'm a bit wary of getting into a town a bit late.
But I knew Killarney was a big town with many hotels, so I decided to soldier on!
So.... I took the plunge...
And that provided me with one last highlight for the day...
On my way into Dingle I had noted there was a turn off to Killarney, but looking at the map it looked like it crossed the mountains... again, flashes of my Glencolmcille experience confronted me. Iwas thinking maybe I should take the road back to Tralee and then take the main road to Killarney...
But once again, I decided to take the risk and follow the WAW signs. I am discovering that this is usually a good move. (On the trail this afternoon,Gaby Garmin did not even know these roads existed and often had me floundering in the middle of nowhere - but the WAW roads are pretty good in this area in the world, and very well signposted!)
Anyway, I took the WAW plunge and had the most beautiful drive between Dingle and Killarney. The first part followed the coast line and reminded me very much of the Great Ocean Road - except better!
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| Between Dingle and Killarney |
Then we followed the Lakes around for quite a bit. Far from being a scary experience, it was the most delightful drive and brought me into Killarney about 4.45pm which was still just light, so gave me the opportunity to find some accommodation.
Once again Gaby Garmin was my second best friend as she showed me all the options that were available for hotels. I had already googled a few and knew what I was looking for, so she took me straight there... through a traffic jam in Killarney on a Sunday night...!!!
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| Following the Lakes into Killarney |
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| Following the Lakes into Killarney |
So, I'm staying at the Holiday Inn at Killarney, which is a chain I have used before in York and maybe somewhere else..?? It's comfortable and it's warm and it has wifi!
Today's scenery was once again just beautiful. Each place I have been from France to Belgium to England and Scotland has brought it's own unique beauty and I feel so privileged to have experienced each one of them.
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