Ireland - Day 7 - Kerry & Killarney
My symptoms were worse today. I started coughing and had a bit of a headache, but the medication I had brought along helped.
Today was the day I would enter Kerry, which is supposed to be the more rugged natural part of Ireland, including the Ring of Kerry, a scenic drive (already within the Wild Atlantic way scenic route that I was on). But first I would be exploring the Dingle Peninsula.
But my plans would be delayed by a farmer's cow crossing.
Eventually, I got to Connor's Pass, the scenic way to the town of Dingle.
At the top of the pass, I took a stop at the lookout and had a short chat with a cyclist who I had passed on my way up. He told me he lived nearby and did the climb every weekend, I was impressed by his effort, especially in the pretty bad weather we were having. He suggested I head to An Dún Mór (Dumore Head), the western most point of (mainland) Ireland, or as he put it, "If ya kept goin, you'd end up in Boston!". I realised I had already planned to head there, and continued through the pass.
The weather cleared up as I got to the other side and soon arrived at Trá Com Dhíneol (Coumeenoole Beach) and Dunmore Head.
Apparently this was the filming location for a Star Wars film, and the signage in the area REALLY want you to know that. It reminds me of when I was in Phuket where the guides would keep referencing a "James Bond Island".
This was actually the first beach I had been to this entire trip, so I took my time to observe the local marine life.
I then hiked to the tip of Dunmore Head.
There were some other great sights in the Dingle Peninsula.
Dunquin Pier, a harbour with a very steep path to the bottom.
Ceann a' Chloichir, another scenic cliff walk that provided great views of the region.
Dún an Óir/Fort del Oro, the site of a former fort where 600 people surrendered and were immediately massacred by Baron Grey's army.
Leaving the Dingle Peninsula, I drove two hours and arrived in Killarney National Park for a few walks there.
First was the ruins of Muckross Abbey (which was actually a Friary).
A very impressive multi floor abbey
With a majestic Yew tree as the center piece.
I could totally understand why Killarney Park in Ontario is named after this park. The views at Torc waterfall especially reminded me of home.
I had dinner in Killarney at Tango Street Food, which had a special grill to cook their food. The chef there opened up the little wood box for me to take a picture.
On my way out of Killarney, I took in Ladies View (named that way because Queen Victoria's ladies-in-waiting? visited here in 1861).
I took the long way to my accomodations this night, allowing me to explore some more of the country roads as well as another mountain pass before arriving in Cahersiveen for the night.
