From Doolin to Killarney

We left the meadow of Ballinalacken Castle Hotel,

and it's pretty birds, and headed south toward Killarney.

 It's not a very long drive (183 km), and yet, it took most of the day, partly because the road are not great (although they were MUCH better than around the Burren....), partly because we stopped several times on the way.  We visited Bunratty castle, a very well restored 16th century castle, furnished with original art and furniture.

 There were a lot of steep spiral staircases in the 16th century......

The castle and it's grounds were bought in 1720 by a family (who may have been the O'Brien's, but I get the impression that every story I tell about people buying castle somehow involves an O'Brien, so it's possible that it was another typical Irish name, and I've just replaced it with O'Brien in my head....).



In 1840 ( that's 120 years later - these people bought with a view to the future!)  the family built a new mansion on the estate, with proper walled gardens, etc, as was the fashion of the time.  Around the original castle and mansion, a park was created, including a 16th century and an 18th century street.  It's a bit touristy, but very well done.  Worth a stop since it was on the way.




 

They had very friendly Irish wolfhounds walking the grounds.....

We then stopped briefly in the little town of Adare, known for it's incongruous (for the region) English thatched roofed houses:  This  was the idea of some English lord in the 19th century, who wanted to build the perfect village. 

It is indeed still very pretty.  And it had a big flock of ravens, which I had never seen before. 

The main reason to go there is the Killarney National Park, and the famous "Ring of Kerry"..

My book suggested that the town of Killarney itself was not worth a second thought, and just a launching pad for the Ring and the park.  We disagree.

We found the town very charming, with it's typical narrow streets and alleys, it's good selection of pubs and it's street performers.  We had very nice typical Irish food:  I had Irish stew and Joe had slow cooked shank of lamb.

While I was enjoying excellent ice cream in front of this shop, this guy sang "And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda" for me, and then told me a very stupid French joke:  "un chat va chez le pharmacien et lui dit"  J'ai vraiment besaoin de quelque hose pour ma toux (matou)".....

I suspect that the reason the town itself is not more highly praised is that it is not built directly on it's pretty lake.  It is however a nice walk to it, along the river, and the view from the castle is worth it (they also have horse drawn buggies to go there, but I did enjoy the walk).

Tomorrow, we are goining into the park - trying to see the “Gap of Dunloe” - although it is a bit unclear to me if you can drive there, have to walk for several hours, need to take a bot, or a horse.....  all of these are described as possibilities, but there is no definite answer as to what can be done which way....  then we will start on the Ring of Kerry.