Killarney to Kenmare and The Beara Peninsula

Killarney to Kenmare and The Beara Peninsula

Killarney Lakes

Well, I should've kept my  mouth shut about the weather. Today was gloomy and overcast and the weather deteriorated as the day progressed. But, as I said last night, I'm still way ahead in terms of what could've been!

I had a wonderful sleep last night after my  shortened version on the night before. So I awoke feeeling refreshed and ready to go...

My plan today was to go to the Beara Peninsula. I had already decided to skip the Ring of Kerry because I had already seen it twice and wanted to experience something different.

So the journey began with the drive to Kenmare. It was a windey road that hugged the lakes to start with then gradually climbed into the mountains.

Ladies view Killarney Lakes

The road from Killarney to Kenmare

It was also the start of the road to the Ring of Kerry, but I stopped at Kenmare and had a nice coffee and a walk around.

Main Street of Kenmare

Interesting plaque near the Church

Went into the Church and lit a candle... prayed for all my usual intentions..

Holy Cross Church Kenmare

Then I set off for the Beara Peninsula.

Unlike yesterday, with blue skies and sunshine, today was grey and overcast, with more chance of fog than sunshine!

This pic sums up the weather

I had read that the Beara peninsula was a place of outsanding beauty, so I was looking forward to seeing the views, but alas and alack, often the views were shrouded by the fog and the mist, but  I still saw lots of lovely scenery.

Beara Peninsula

Beara Peninsula

The internet is very slow here tonight, so I won't upload too many pics.

I had some good advice from a lady in the gift shop in Kenmare, and she told me it was really worth taking the windey road at the bottom of the Peninsula, because the views were beautiful. I was a bit worried about the fog, but it seeemed that the fog was less dense the nearer I came to the coast.

So I took the road less travelled and it really was beautiful. There were not a lot of options to stop and take pics because it really was a little one lane road. I was very lucky that I didn't meet any oncoming traffic - in fact I virtually had that road to myself...

This is what the road looked like

Viewfrom the Beara Peninsula

View from Beara Peninsula

View from Beara Peninsula

I actually ended up going the wrong way at one stage today, because I thought I was moving on back to the  main highway, but I ended up going so the opposite end of the Peninsula. But it was lovely when I got there! I had plenty of time today so it was not a bother, but it just shows what happens when I don't rely on my little Miss Gaby Garmin. I was just following the WAW signs, but one said WAW north and one said WAW south and I was just a little confused...

Anyway, tonight I am in a lovely little town called Bantry staying in the Maritime Hotel and my room looks out over the water. By the time I got here it was getting dark again and the last part of my  journey took place in rain and mist. So I guess I am experiencing the real Ireland now. All that sunshine was just pretend!

Might quit will I'm ahead now... Internet is very sluggish here. I guess we're out in the sticks so should be grateful I have a connection.

Another lovely day in Ireland.