Day 6
Breakfast as usual, out by 10-ish, destination Killarney National Park.
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The Irish (and seemingly the European) concept of the National Park is not the same as in the USA. We emphasize plenty of signage and parking, signs, overlooks and general information. They emphasize the natural wonders and that's about it.
We drove up Moll's Gap again, no other traffic now since its a weekday. Down into the National Park, and the roads weren't as intimidating as they were on day 1. Granted, they are still ridiculously twisty and narrow, but now anything with a line down the middle feels like an interstate to me. Well, almost. |
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Got a parking spot, about 3 inches wider than the car, and went into Muckross House, The house was built by the gentry in the 1700's and given to the country in 1932. 11,000 acres, lakes, waterfalls, etc. Beautiful. It was sunny before we cleared Moll's Gap but cloudy in the park.
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The girls went on the interior tour; I skipped it and took photos outside. Then we went up to the tearoom for lunch. Jill didn't like the choices and retrieved sandwiches from the car instead. ("If I want crappy sandwiches I might as well eat my own.") Crows watching us like vultures waiting for the abandoned plate.
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Then it was time for a Jaunting cart ride, which is a single horse trap with driver. Our driver had inherited the job from his grandfather, which is the only way to get this "gig". He warmed up to us after a while (he was still in high school, supposedly) and we got a pretty good tour. In fact he must have smelled a tip because he extended the tour to the lower lake for 15 minutes or so. Nice views. 30€ + 10€ tip and we had a great time.
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Muckross Farms
Next we walked across the park to the farm for a farmstead tour. It was ok. Women were baking soda bread, etc. Electricity did not come to rural Ireland until 1955 or 1960! One woman we overheard was talking about how poor they were - everything went to the Church and the kids got an orange for Christmas, and no birthday. Way to go, Pope! Another saying how her grandma refused to leave the hut without electricity, cooked over an open fire until she died etc. This was in the 1960's apparently. You forget how recently Ireland modernized.
Kristen liked her own natural history exhibit. Watching a cat devour a mouse it caught in a barn!
Problems with the bus service pissed me off but we won't go there...
Went to leave Muckross House around 3 and had forgotten the Tour of Ireland was taking place today, down Moll's Gap to Killarney, right where we were. No other way home either, unless you want a real long detour. So, we gassed up, bought some snacks and settled in by the side of the road. The Peleton came by around 5:00, then another wave around 5:20. It passed in an instant, and now we know we'll never go see the Tour De France, where you have to wait much longer... it was gone before we knew it.
Problems with the bus service pissed me off but we won't go there...
Went to leave Muckross House around 3 and had forgotten the Tour of Ireland was taking place today, down Moll's Gap to Killarney, right where we were. No other way home either, unless you want a real long detour. So, we gassed up, bought some snacks and settled in by the side of the road. The Peleton came by around 5:00, then another wave around 5:20. It passed in an instant, and now we know we'll never go see the Tour De France, where you have to wait much longer... it was gone before we knew it.
Hello Girls!
Back home to Sneem an hour over beautiful roads, passing an old guy carrying a Shelleleigh, and cows and sheep. Into Sneem and straight to D. O'Shea's (after a grocery stop) for more Guinness (Jill had Chardonnay again but I'm too embarrassed to confess). Food great again - Garlic Ciabatta Bread, leek soup, potato skins and pasta for Kristen... but real gourmet quality stuff, not what you'd expect in the pub. The owner remembered me and it's true what they say, the first time in a pub you're a stranger, the next time a friend. He too was caught in Killarney for the bike race.
We're going back again tomorrow night. It was only 17€ for the food. I wanted to stay for a 3rd pint and can see how you can stay all night. Great atmosphere. Kids, the whole family.
Back home, typing on the patio again... it's about 60 and getting dark. Today got up to around 75.
Day 7 >>>
