Road to Dingle--Kenmare & Sheep Farm
Today we traveled through rural western Ireland. Our first stop was Kenmare. We walked to the Market to get a home baked baguette sandwich for lunch and continued on to the Quill Shop where Chuck purchased an Irish tam. He's ready to drive the RV when we return. (See picture above.) We stopped for a short photo stop to see a view of the McGillicutty Reek where the mountains stand 3,500 feet tall and are the biggest mountains in Ireland. We enter the Black Valley and visit the Kissane Family Sheep Farm. John Kissane explained to us about the farm's 3.000 acres which is run by the 6th generation of the family. They raise Scottish black faced sheep. Due to the price of wool plummeting the family only shears the wool for the health of the sheep once a year. We saw the dogs herding the sheep as well as a shearing demonstration.
We travel on very narrow roads to Killarney National Park. The 2 way road was hardly wide enough for the bus. WOW! A large red oak tree is situated at the park entrance. It is believed the soul enters the afterlife through a red oak tree. Julius Caesar believed this as is noted in his letters. Once believed extinct in the area, the golden eagle and white tailed eagles are back. We saw red tailed deer as well as Sika which have white backs and spotted brown bellies. We walked the grounds looking at the beautiful view and gardens as well as the Mukross house, farm and abbey.
We left the park and drove through Killarney. They have the 2nd largest cathedral in Ireland. A cheer rang out as we entered the Dingle Penninsula. We are staying her 3 nights and our hotel is Castlewood. After getting off the bus we went to the Dingle Music Shop to meet Michael, the owner to hear some music and learn a few Gaelic words and phrases. After delivering our bags to our rooms we walked to Paudie's for dinner then to the Courthouse Pub for a wee pint and some Irish music.
Killarney Cathedral
Killarney Cathedral