Today we left Kinsale, heading for the Dingle peninsula. Our group stopped at several historic sites relating to the war for Irish independence - Killdare battlefield, Michael Collins memorial, and the ambush site were he was killed at Kilmichael. Collins was the main architect of the peace plan with England.
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| There are monuments to the Irish leaders and fighters in the early 1920's rebellion against English rule. |
We stopped at Muckross House, a beautifully preserved Victorian mansion at the edge of what is now Killarney National Park. The owners of this home spent several years and a barrel of money preparing for a visit from Queen Victoria - then she stayed only three nights. No photos allowed in the house and it was raining cats and dogs.
Our group drove the scenic Ring of Kerry road through the park and on around Dingle Bay to the town of Dingle.
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| A damp and blustery day on the road going to Dingle. |
Bud and I ate in the Dingle Pub so we could watch the soccer match, then we went on the the Old Courthouse Pub to listen to some traditional Irish music.
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| One pint of Guinness Stout for you Bob D. |
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| Up close and personal. What you can not see is the pub has a 6'1" ceiling and people are packed in. More are standing than sitting. Not a drop of beer was spilled and the music was great. Apparently, fire codes have some flexibility in Dingle. |
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| The pub is next to the court house. |
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| Teddy in an open air market in a small village on the road to Dingle. He just finished slicing off two nice salmon steaks. |
