More Travel Experiences Through Ireland

We have now been in Ireland 12 days and are starting to roll with the flow. Driving on the left side of the road with the wheel on the right side of the car is now becoming second nature. Janice is now able to nap while Joel is driving and has become adept at navigating all of our turns in the round-abouts. (I, Janice white-knuckled it several times and also felt like I put a few holes in the floor thinking I had a break.  Poor Joel, he really is doing better now and was trying his best. I needed to be more patient.)

On Thursday the 7th we decided to take a scenic drive in North Galway. We enjoyed two different castles and a beautiful old abbey from 1120 AD in Cong, Ireland. We have seen a lot of castles and they all have long names, so won't bore everyone with names, but hopefully Janice's pictures will tell the story. The last few days in Galway were rainy and cool so we were glad to get on the road on Saturday and head for Killarney.  (I Janice, have taken a lot of pictures of different angles hoping I can paint one of these at some point.)

We've seen more sheep on this island then we've seen in a life time.

A castle is behind all this ivy.

Saturday we arrived at Ashville Bed and Breakfast guest house. This was a beautiful B & B and we enjoyed our two nights there. The staff was helpful, the showers were great, and the breakfast was awesome. Saturday afternoon we went to Muckross House just outside of Killarny. This was a large Victorian Mansion where Queen Victoria and Prince Albert had stayed. On Sunday we decided to drive the Ring of Kerry. We left around 9:30 A.M. and didn't return until 5:15 P.M. We took our time and stopped many places to view the scenery and walk beaches. We also visited the ring forts which were interesting and out in the middle of nowhere. We also saw another castle. We stopped at a place that had a sand beach where loads of people were camping and kids were swimming in the very cool water. We ate at a beachside restaurant and had a nice conversation with a couple from Limerick, Ireland. They had their dog Jack with them. Janice made friends with Jack.

A protected harbor for boats coming in.

One car at a time and a solid rock.

Every where we look, it is as green as this. Very pastoral and a real sense of peace.

On Monday the 11th we drove to Kilkenny, Ireland. We are in an old hostel which is a new experience for Janice. (I, Janice think this could be a step up from a crash house, course I've never been in a crash house so don't know for sure. I was told this is not the usual by a person who set down beside us a few minutes ago.) We share a bathroom and showers, the room is Spartan with a bunk bed. All the furniture looks to be from the 50's or so and maybe not cleaned since then. We will be at the hostel until Saturday morning. Monday evening we walked the town and ate at a pub that had existed since 1263 A.D. They had an Irish story teller and an Irish singer. It was a fun evening. The plans for upcoming is to tour the Kilkenny Castle and do some power loafing. Wednesday will be the Rock of Cashel. We will play it by ear after, Saturday we are due to drive to Derry, (Londonderry) Northern Ireland. We will spend a week there exploring Ulster and Donegal.

Both of us are healthy and in good spirits and hope this finds all the same.