To get from the Shores Country House to the Cliffs of Moher we took the ferry across the Shannon estuary. It goes from Tarbert in County Kerry to Killimer in County Clare in about 20 minutes.
The ferry is run by Shannon Ferries Ltd.
Showing posts with label Kerry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kerry. Show all posts
Sunday, September 11, 2022
Sunday, September 04, 2022
The Shores Country House, Cappatigue, Kerry, Ireland
What more can I say about the Shores Country House? I've posted about it here and here. It's still the one place my son-in-law insists on staying when we visit Ireland. An my daughter's post says "we gorged ourselves on our favorite breakfast in the world." And I stand by my earlier comment "The Shores Country House is one of the nicest places we've stayed anywhere, anytime, PERIOD."
The rooms had been renovated since our last visit and the Internet worked great. But don't stay on the Internet too long. Get out and walk around. The grounds are beautiful and overlook Brandon Bay and the longest beach in Ireland.
Annette O'Mahony is the consummate host and cook. She has moved her website here (archive.org). The Tripadvisor reviews are here but they're pretty much all 5.0s.
On the way in, we dined at Spillane's Bar on Stradbally.
On the way out, we backtracked a little and visited the waterfall on Conor Pass. It was raining so we didn't explore Peddlers Lake like we had done before but we were treated to a beautiful rainbow.
x
Sunday, August 28, 2022
Ring of Kerry, Kerry, Ireland
One of the places we visited for the first time on our 2022 trip was the Ring of Kerry.
We traveled the Ring of Kerry on our drive from Galley Head Lighthouse to Shores Country House. With a car load including 2 children, we had to pick our stops carefully. I think we succeeded!
Our first stop was Staigue Stone Fort. It's a couple of miles off N70 but worth the drive.
Staigue Fort is one of the largest ring forts in Ireland. It stands on an low hill, with a view of Kenmare bay to the south and is very impressive in size. The walls are up to 18ft high and 13ft thick and 90ft in diameter.
The fort is thought to have been built somewhere between 300 and 400 AD as a defensive stronghold for a local lord or king.
At the site there are toilets and a donation box. There was a coffee bar there but it wasn't open.
Less than 9 miles away is one of the most special places we visited. This was Derrynane Abbey.
The abbey is on an island appropriately named Abbey Island. It is accessible from the mainland on foot at low tide. It is believed to have been built in the 6th century.
Here's the tide chart. You'll need it. You can only walk there at low tide. We planned our drive to hit there at low tide. Watch your time so you don't get trapped out there.
While we didn't play in the water here, the beach and water were beautiful. It's worth spending an afternoon here.
Staigue Stone Fort
Derrynane Abbey
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Castlegregory, Cappatigue, Kerry, Ireland
After we arrived at Shores Country House and got settled in we started thinking about dinner.
In 2007 we went to Tomasin's in Stradbally for dinner. This visit Annette advised us that it had changed ownership and she had gotten mixed reviews. She gave us two alternatives in the village of Castlegregory that was about 2.5 miles away.
Castlegregory is a quaint village on a tiny peninsula. The roads are like a maze and of course there are no road signs.
We finally stopped an old man and asked him where the restaurants were that Annette had recommended.
It turned out one was right in front of us. But as he old man explained that to us he opined that he wouldn't go to either of those two places. Of course we had to ask him what he recommended.
He recommended Spillane's at the very end of the peninsula. The food and service was great and afterwards our granddaughter walked across the parking lot to the shore and played in the sand and surf. While you're on the Dingle peninsula, be sure to try the locally brewed Crean's beer.
In 2007 we went to Tomasin's in Stradbally for dinner. This visit Annette advised us that it had changed ownership and she had gotten mixed reviews. She gave us two alternatives in the village of Castlegregory that was about 2.5 miles away.
Castlegregory is a quaint village on a tiny peninsula. The roads are like a maze and of course there are no road signs.
We finally stopped an old man and asked him where the restaurants were that Annette had recommended.
It turned out one was right in front of us. But as he old man explained that to us he opined that he wouldn't go to either of those two places. Of course we had to ask him what he recommended.
He recommended Spillane's at the very end of the peninsula. The food and service was great and afterwards our granddaughter walked across the parking lot to the shore and played in the sand and surf. While you're on the Dingle peninsula, be sure to try the locally brewed Crean's beer.
Wednesday, October 07, 2015
The Shores Country House, Cappatigue, Kerry, Ireland
We had visited Shores Country House in 2007 and it was the one place that my son-in-law wanted to visit again, even above his family home place.
Shores Country House was incredible as before. Now it has free Wi-Fi but its speed was modest. Even the hostess Annette complained. But consider where you are. Get out and walk around.
Room 3 has a queen bed. Room 4 has a queen and a twin. Annette asked for our breakfast order before bedtime so she would be sure to have what we requested. Breakfast was served from 8:30 to 9:45 in the dining room. For our group of 5 the meals came out one at a time as Annette was preparing them individually. Wonderful food.
It is one of those places where you're worried that your suitcase is going to scratch the doors or furniture. Every piece is an antique.
Shores Country House doesn't take credit cards so be prepared with euros. The prices are very reasonable, the least expensive of our entire trip.
Shores Country House was incredible as before. Now it has free Wi-Fi but its speed was modest. Even the hostess Annette complained. But consider where you are. Get out and walk around.
Room 3 has a queen bed. Room 4 has a queen and a twin. Annette asked for our breakfast order before bedtime so she would be sure to have what we requested. Breakfast was served from 8:30 to 9:45 in the dining room. For our group of 5 the meals came out one at a time as Annette was preparing them individually. Wonderful food.
It is one of those places where you're worried that your suitcase is going to scratch the doors or furniture. Every piece is an antique.
Shores Country House doesn't take credit cards so be prepared with euros. The prices are very reasonable, the least expensive of our entire trip.
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Old Cloghane Burial Ground, Cloghane, Kerry, Ireland
When we were researching our trip my wife came across this photograph and wanted to go there, wherever that was.
It took a little searching to find where it was, first on a map and then actually on the ground. It turns out that is between Conor Pass and where we were spending the night.
This is a much better map of the cemetery than I could get from Google. I plugged the lat=52.235389 lon=-10.183296 into my GPS and we were off.
Until we got there. Then we couldn't find it as it isn't on the road. It's up a little path with a small sign at the road.
As we walked up there we encountered an old man working in the cemetery. He told us the story. According to him it's one of the only cemeteries in Ireland where both Catholics and Protestants are buried. Of course they're buried on opposite ends.
When we were leaving Cloghane we spoke to another local who told us the tale of a WW II German fighter crashing nearby. The engine is still revered as a trophy.
Stop and talk to the locals. Don't miss this place.
It took a little searching to find where it was, first on a map and then actually on the ground. It turns out that is between Conor Pass and where we were spending the night.
This is a much better map of the cemetery than I could get from Google. I plugged the lat=52.235389 lon=-10.183296 into my GPS and we were off.
Until we got there. Then we couldn't find it as it isn't on the road. It's up a little path with a small sign at the road.
As we walked up there we encountered an old man working in the cemetery. He told us the story. According to him it's one of the only cemeteries in Ireland where both Catholics and Protestants are buried. Of course they're buried on opposite ends.
When we were leaving Cloghane we spoke to another local who told us the tale of a WW II German fighter crashing nearby. The engine is still revered as a trophy.
Stop and talk to the locals. Don't miss this place.
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Conor Pass, Kerry, Ireland
Conor Pass is one of the highest passes in Ireland. It's on the road between Dingle Town and Cappatigue.
Pedlers Lake was created at the top of Conor Pass by a glacier as it slid down the mountain. It drains into the waterfall that we had seen before.
Pedlers Lake was a perfect place to let a 6-year old unwind.
The one lane, blind, hairpin turns weren't quite as scary the second time around!
The Irish Tourism site is here and the wikipedia article is here.
A twisty one-lane asphalted road leads to the pass. The drive, inadvisable in bad weather, is considered one of the most beautiful of Ireland. The scenic road leading to the pass weaves its way around the sharp cliff faces and past high corrie lakes. Vehicles over two tonnes in weight are prohibited from using the road in order to avoid difficulties in passing.When we told Rory Brosnan that we were going to drive over Conor Pass that afternoon he told us about Pedlers Lake above the waterfall that is just north of the Pass. We had stopped at the waterfall before but not realized that Pedlers Lake was above us.
Pedlers Lake was created at the top of Conor Pass by a glacier as it slid down the mountain. It drains into the waterfall that we had seen before.
Pedlers Lake was a perfect place to let a 6-year old unwind.
The one lane, blind, hairpin turns weren't quite as scary the second time around!
The Irish Tourism site is here and the wikipedia article is here.
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Slea Head Drive, Kerry, Ireland
We had driven Slea Head Drive before but as the driver I didn't see much except one lane roads!
This time we arranged a Slea Head Drive tour with Rory Brosnan. On this trip all of us got to enjoy the scenery and Rory took us to places we would have never found. Rory lives just off Slea Head Drive and his wife is a professor of Gaelic. Her family was evacuated by the government from the Blasket Islands in 1953. Every local we encountered spoke to Rory by name.
We stopped at the Beehive huts. While the parking for these is on Slea Head Drive we had just driven past them on our last trip. They are privately operated and a short hike up a hill. The operator was very friendly and rounded down the price of admission for the 4 of us to €10. My granddaughter was free.
Rory took us to several beaches, one of which is where he swims every night right next to the "No Swimming" sign. He says it's safe if you swim in a group of 4. Yeah, right.
The Gallarus Oratory was on our list for Rory to take us to. When we got there he drove right past the brown tourist sign. He continued on up the road to a second parking area which was not crowded and much closer. That's just the kind of service you get from Rory.
He took us shopping at Louis Mulcahy's and to lunch at Bar an Bhuailtin, which had large and modern amenities. Rory had a new VW van that was comfortable for the 5 of us. The logistics were easy as he picked us up at our hotel right on time.
Rory doesn't take credit cards so come prepared with euros.
Their web site is here and the TripAdvisors are here.
This time we arranged a Slea Head Drive tour with Rory Brosnan. On this trip all of us got to enjoy the scenery and Rory took us to places we would have never found. Rory lives just off Slea Head Drive and his wife is a professor of Gaelic. Her family was evacuated by the government from the Blasket Islands in 1953. Every local we encountered spoke to Rory by name.
We stopped at the Beehive huts. While the parking for these is on Slea Head Drive we had just driven past them on our last trip. They are privately operated and a short hike up a hill. The operator was very friendly and rounded down the price of admission for the 4 of us to €10. My granddaughter was free.
Rory took us to several beaches, one of which is where he swims every night right next to the "No Swimming" sign. He says it's safe if you swim in a group of 4. Yeah, right.
The Gallarus Oratory was on our list for Rory to take us to. When we got there he drove right past the brown tourist sign. He continued on up the road to a second parking area which was not crowded and much closer. That's just the kind of service you get from Rory.
He took us shopping at Louis Mulcahy's and to lunch at Bar an Bhuailtin, which had large and modern amenities. Rory had a new VW van that was comfortable for the 5 of us. The logistics were easy as he picked us up at our hotel right on time.
Rory doesn't take credit cards so come prepared with euros.
Their web site is here and the TripAdvisors are here.
Wednesday, September 09, 2015
Dingle, Kerry, Ireland
After an eventful drive from Drombeg we arrived in the town of Dingle. Dingle has a population of around 2,000 making it the largest town on the Dingle Peninsula.
We had passed through Dingle on our previous trip and had lunch there. We enjoyed it so much that it was on our MUST list for this trip.
We stayed the Dingle Bay Hotel. You can't miss it with its bright red paint. The hotel is just across the street from the harbor and 1/4 mile east of the Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium. We ate dinner in Paudie's Bar where there's Irish folk music every night. It was supposed to start at 8:00PM but they were just tuning up as we left at 8:40PM. There is a free parking in small lot with 4-5 places accessed by an alley between the hotel and Murphy's B&B to the east. There is an overflow lot accessed by another alley to the east of Murphy's Pub. That is actually on the same level as the 2nd floor (European counting) rooms so we moved our car up there to make loading easier.
The hotel has free Wi-Fi but the clerk at registration acknowledged that it was very spotty. She gave us a password but we couldn't get signal in room 206. Room 206 has a queen bed. Room 214 has a queen and a twin.
Payment is via credit card at checkin. Beware that the room doors don't lock automatically. You need to lock them with the room key.
Just across the street is the marina. We looked for Fungie the Dolphin but the statue is all we could find.
Their website is here and the TripAdvisor reviews are here.
We had passed through Dingle on our previous trip and had lunch there. We enjoyed it so much that it was on our MUST list for this trip.
We stayed the Dingle Bay Hotel. You can't miss it with its bright red paint. The hotel is just across the street from the harbor and 1/4 mile east of the Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium. We ate dinner in Paudie's Bar where there's Irish folk music every night. It was supposed to start at 8:00PM but they were just tuning up as we left at 8:40PM. There is a free parking in small lot with 4-5 places accessed by an alley between the hotel and Murphy's B&B to the east. There is an overflow lot accessed by another alley to the east of Murphy's Pub. That is actually on the same level as the 2nd floor (European counting) rooms so we moved our car up there to make loading easier.
The hotel has free Wi-Fi but the clerk at registration acknowledged that it was very spotty. She gave us a password but we couldn't get signal in room 206. Room 206 has a queen bed. Room 214 has a queen and a twin.
Payment is via credit card at checkin. Beware that the room doors don't lock automatically. You need to lock them with the room key.
Just across the street is the marina. We looked for Fungie the Dolphin but the statue is all we could find.
Their website is here and the TripAdvisor reviews are here.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Tomasin's Bar, Stradbally, Kerry, Ireland
Annette at Shores Country House wasn't serving dinner the night we were there so we asked her for a recommendation. She sent us down the road to Tomasin's Bar in nearby Stradbally.
Tomasin's is just a little neighborhood (not much of a neighborhood by the way) pub. There weren't many people in there that evening. Except for us they were locals.
The food was great and the service was like your mother was serving you in her kitchen.
Here's their website.
View Larger Map
Street View
Tomasin's is just a little neighborhood (not much of a neighborhood by the way) pub. There weren't many people in there that evening. Except for us they were locals.
The food was great and the service was like your mother was serving you in her kitchen.
Here's their website.
View Larger Map
Street View
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Louis Mulcahy Pottery, Clogher, Kerry, Ireland
When our daughter visited Dublin in 2003, she brought us a piece of pottery from Louis Mulcahy. As we planned our trip for 2007, I Googled Louis Mulcahy and realized that his shop was actually on the Dingle Peninsula.
That settled where we were going first in Ireland. After our night at Shores Country House, we headed out to Clogher over Conor Pass.
After an amazing drive, we arrived at the end of the world! And they had pottery!
Their web site is here.
View Larger Map
Street View
That settled where we were going first in Ireland. After our night at Shores Country House, we headed out to Clogher over Conor Pass.
After an amazing drive, we arrived at the end of the world! And they had pottery!
Their web site is here.
View Larger Map
Street View
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Dun Chaoin, Kerry, Ireland
The entire drive from Dingle Town around Slea Head Drive looked like this overlook at Dun Chaoin.
The wikipedia article is here and their web site is here. Here are my photos:
View Larger Map
Street View
The wikipedia article is here and their web site is here. Here are my photos:
View Larger Map
Street View
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Slea Head Drive, Kerry, Ireland
From Dingle Town, we followed the Slea Head Drive to the West. We didn't make very good time as we kept stopping to take photos. "Ryan's Daughter" was filmed here.
Their web site is here. Here are my photos:
View Larger Map
Street View
Zoom out a couple of clicks and you'll see the Blasket Islands.
Their web site is here. Here are my photos:
View Larger Map
Street View
Zoom out a couple of clicks and you'll see the Blasket Islands.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Dingle Town, Kerry, Ireland
We stopped in Dingle Town for lunch after crossing Conor Pass. Dingle is a pretty little town, very brightly colored.
The wikipedia article is here and their web site is here. My pictures are here.
View Larger Map
The wikipedia article is here and their web site is here. My pictures are here.
View Larger Map
Friday, April 04, 2008
Conor Pass, Kerry, Ireland
We left the Shores Country House at Cappatigue and headed over Conor Pass to Dingle.
From wikipedia:
The TripAdvisor review is here. You might even recognize one of the reviewers.
My pictures are here:
View Larger Map
Street View
From wikipedia:
The Conor Pass, which runs from Dingle on the southern end of the peninsula towards Brandon Bay and Castlegregory in the North, is the highest mountain pass in Ireland, a tight, precarious road, weaving its way around the sharp cliff faces and past the high corrie lakes.I can vouch for "tight, precarious road." Some of the stories I found said that the road was so narrow that your wheels hung over the edge. The road has been improved recently. There was one stretch of about 1 km that was actually a single lane including a blind corner.
The TripAdvisor review is here. You might even recognize one of the reviewers.
My pictures are here:
View Larger Map
Street View
Saturday, March 29, 2008
The Shores Country House, Cappatigue, Kerry, Ireland
The Shores Country House is one of the nicest places we've stayed anywhere, anytime, PERIOD. My wife shys away from bed and breakfasts but this is one she'd go back to without question. I've never had a better breakfast. Tell Annette I said "Hello."
Here's their website.
Their web site says they are "2 hours from Cork Airport." Only if an Irishman is driving!
I took a ton of pictures there so enjoy (and don't miss the cows).
Be sure to zoom out and see Brandon Bay.
View Larger Map
Street View
Here's their website.
Their web site says they are "2 hours from Cork Airport." Only if an Irishman is driving!
I took a ton of pictures there so enjoy (and don't miss the cows).
Be sure to zoom out and see Brandon Bay.
View Larger Map
Street View
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Blennerville Windmill, Tralee, Kerry, Ireland
Further along the way from the Cliffs of Moher to our bed and breakfast on the Dingle Peninsula, we came upon the Blennerville Windmill near Tralee. It is the tallest windmill of its kind it Europe, and the only working one in Ireland according to AnIrelandAttraction.com.
The wikipedia article is here but pretty sparse.
My pictures are here.
View Larger Map
Street View
The wikipedia article is here but pretty sparse.
My pictures are here.
View Larger Map
Street View
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Tarbert Lighthouse, Kerry, Ireland
As we arrived at the Tarbert end of the Killimer-Tarbert ferry, we saw the Tarbert Lighthouse.
Their web site is here and it is mentioned in the wikipedia article on Tarbert.
My pictures are here.
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Their web site is here and it is mentioned in the wikipedia article on Tarbert.
My pictures are here.
View Larger Map
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