The day on Thursday consisted of a long ride around the Ring of Kerry which is a peninsula which sticks out into the sea. The first stop was a tourist trap replica of a peat village. Peat is a fuel that is cut out o fthe ground and dried and has been used for fuel to heat homes for thousands of years. They had Irish Wolfhounds and Bog Ponies in the replica village.
Irish Wolfhound
Bog Pony
After a short stop at the peat village we headed out for the views. We could have taken hundreds of photos along the way with the views and the beautiful blue water and the weather which has been uncharacteristically sunny and warm. We’ve yet to see any rain with the exception of 5 minutes while we were eating dinner and a few minutes while we were driving on the bus.
Dingle Bay
Dingle Bay
After a photo stop at Dingle bay we stopped at a place called Skellig where we had lunch – with these views. They also had really good shepherds pie which we both ate for lunch.
Skellig
Skellig
Huge leaves – a member of the Rhubarb Family outside of our lunch stop.
We stopped at a beach along the way for more photos. It was a beautiful ride and the skies and blue water and green hills seemed to go on forever.
Beach on the ring of Kerry
Our final stop was a look-out called Ladies View which came from Queen Victoria’s visit, and this is the spot where her ladies in waiting set up a picnic lunch for her.
Ladies View
Towards the end of the bus journey around the ring of Kerry we arrived at Muckross house. This is an old estate that was owned by a number of families including an American woman who was marrying a Irishman and her father bought them the estate as a wedding present. One of the families had the honor of having Queen Victoria stay here. They spent 6 years preparing for her visit planting gardens, having furniture commissioned etc.. They had hoped that the visit would result in them receiving titles that would elevate their social status and their financial standing but unfortunately Prince Albert died shortly after the visit and Queen Victoria went into mourning and they never received their titles. Eventually the house and estate fell onto hard times, and then at some point it was gifted to the Irish people and it’s operated as a historical site today. We toured the grounds and the gardens and then also had a tour of the house to finish out our day.
Muckross House
Muckross House
The lake at Muckross House
Part of the rose garden that was planted under Queen Victoria’s dressing room window
Part of the gardens
After Muckross house we returned to the hotel for dinner and off to bed – We are headed for Waterford on Friday.