Tours are always informative and they let Paul see the
sights much easier than when he is driving.
The down side is that we can’t stop at some of the places we would like
to see. And the tour did not drive the Skellig ring part, which was interesting and beautiful. So, in spite of the fact that we
did the Ring of Kerry yesterday we are self-driving it again today. Again, the weather doesn’t look so great.
Our first stop was Torc Waterfall, a pretty little waterfall
in the nearby national park.
We also stopped at an overlook to see the lakes and dells
that we had seen the day before.
The drive is still pretty awesome and occasionally the
weather acts like it wants to clear up a bit. Early into the drive we came across a small stone church,
the ruins of some sort of building (castle???),
and a traffic hazard in the road.
Except for special stops the rest of the Ring Drive was all about the scenery...
and the coastline.
The first really new thing we stopped to see was the Staigue Fort, a Ring Fort. Most ring forts were built sometime between 300 BC and 400 AD…scientists aren’t sure. They also aren’t sure of the uses of these types of forts but think it might be for defensive purposes. The ring is about 25 feet high and 80 feet in diameter and made of stacked stones. Took someone a lot of time to build. We have never seen anything quite like it.
and the coastline.
The first really new thing we stopped to see was the Staigue Fort, a Ring Fort. Most ring forts were built sometime between 300 BC and 400 AD…scientists aren’t sure. They also aren’t sure of the uses of these types of forts but think it might be for defensive purposes. The ring is about 25 feet high and 80 feet in diameter and made of stacked stones. Took someone a lot of time to build. We have never seen anything quite like it.
Near the end of Iveragh Peninsula (location of the Ring of
Kerry drive) we veered off onto the Skellig Ring, which we had not done the day
before. The big excitement here was
getting glimpses of Skellig Michael and Little Skellig. These are two very jagged islands a few miles
off the coastline. Several scenes from
Star Wars were filmed here.
Unfortunately we didn’t book in advance so weren’t able to take a boat
ride out to see the islands closer.
Perhaps on our next trip to Ireland.
Just outside of Portmagee we stopped to take a hike out to the Cliffs of Kerry.
Near the parking lot at the Cliffs of Kerry were some beehive buildings (reproductions). Apparently these types of buildings were actually used for habitation.
We then drove on into the small pot town of Portmagee for lunch right on the water.
After lunch we drove out to a nearby peninsula for more photos...
before heading back to Killkenny in time for dinner.
Near the parking lot at the Cliffs of Kerry were some beehive buildings (reproductions). Apparently these types of buildings were actually used for habitation.
We then drove on into the small pot town of Portmagee for lunch right on the water.
After lunch we drove out to a nearby peninsula for more photos...
before heading back to Killkenny in time for dinner.
After dinner we went to a show featuring Irish dance and
music. It was very different from the one we saw in Dublin. The one in Dublin had more of the feel of a family get together. This was more of a production show with many more musicians and dancers plus a singer. However, this show was also very good.
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Video of singer.
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Video of musicians.
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Video of dancers..
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