Killarney Town March 22

Left Inch Beach early in the morning after a pleasant breakfast overlooking the beach one more time. The drive was a quick and easy 45 minutes to our next destination, Killarney the heart of county Kerry. Although our check-in was not until three, we stowed our car for the day at the hotel and were picked up for our tour of the Gap of Dunloe in Killarney National Park. We took a tour bus a few miles to the start of Gap, Kate Kearney’s Cottage. Kate was reputed to be so beautiful that men came from around the world to compete for her hand in marriage. However, she pledged she would only marry a Kerry man. Which she did….five times. She was planning to marry her 6th husband when she died at 104!

It was here where we started part one of our journey, a horse and trap ride through two mountains along 5 lakes.

Normally these traps hold four passengers and a driver but we were able to have one to ourselves. Off we went with our horse Rog and driver Mike.

For five miles and an hour and a half we wound through the mountains past some stunning scenery. We ended at Lord Byron’s cottage where we had a light lunch before heading out on a twelve person boat through three lakes.

Only a bit chilly at times but worth it for the views.

Ended that leg of the tour at Ross castle before being picked up and dropped off at the hotel. It was a lovely hotel with cozy fires in the common areas and beautifully decorated. Another great room, this time with a view of the mountains.

We took a short walk to the bustling downtown to the bookstore and little shops. Eventually, we stopped at Salvador’s and got a very non-Irish pizza which chorizo, ham, onions and olives. It was quite different than US pizza and quite tasty. A pleasant stroll home and then a nightcap by the fire after an interesting Irish bartender who talked about one of his favorite American football teams, the Detroit Lions! The guy knew his stuff. Very weird.