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Posts Tagged 'Kerry'

Ireland 2009 - Day 1

IMG_1419 We land in Shannon airport on time. The sky is cloudy but the sun occasionally gives reason to hope for the better. You complete formalities with the budget we have a Hyundai Accent with an automatic transmission. The vehicle is in poor condition but is found convenient to drive. Chew on the road and we head towards the Dingle Clare led dall'inossidabile voice.

As we approach the county of Kerry the weather improves and we reach our B & B on the Connor Pass Road under a sun almost Mediterranean. The temperature is pleasant, and we give ourselves a break in the beautiful porch of the House Dunin.

IMG_1555 We decide to visit the cliffs to the west and enjoy the best views of the bay.

Here a stiff breeze and sparkling us back to normality of the Irish climate. Let's go back to town in time to book a table at the Old Smokehouse and prepare the stomach for one of the best fried fish in the area.

IMG_1582 We conclude the evening migrating from one pub to another in the lively center of Dingle. Tomorrow we expect from the lovely beach of Inch.

It 'the first time, after so many washes in Ireland, I decided to change the routine and fly directly to Shannon. In retrospect I would say that is a very convenient choice for those who, like me, loves particularly the west coast of the island.

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From Dingle to Doolin

P1010040 We wake up early and eat pancakes favolsi of wild honey in the veranda of the b & b that hosts us. The view over the bay of Dingle is wonderful and the spell is broken only by the rain that pours on the roof at times. The goal now is the magic Doolin in County Clare, a tiny fishing village that owes its fame to a musical tradition that is lost to the origins of Irish folk.

P1010045 We decide to skip the usual Limerick and take the ferry to Tarbert on the Shannon. From Dingle we head over the Connor Pass and we stop on the shores of the ocean in a beautiful white sand beach. The wind is cold and the clouds promise rain. We are preparing to arrive in Doolin tradzionale blanket of fog and humidity.

The short trip aboard the ferry that crosses the Shannon is always nice to challenge the long standing cold over the bridge that runs along the sides of the boat. We cross the mouth of the largest river of reland and disembark in Clare, where we will have a heavy rain. I drive to Doolin and amazement the day turns into a few minutes and when we are in sight of the beautiful hills that descend to the village a warm sun is high in the sky of Ireland.

P1010056 A compulsory stop at the Magnetic Music Café where a cup of boiling water and a free slice of cake with rich cream brings us back to the world. This place is really special, steeped in a mystical atmosphere and gathering where music is the main element. A quick tour of the negozzietti and head for the main lot.

P1010088 From here you decide rilsalire the coast to the cliffs. The spectacle of rock's great if you feel like walking over a giant form of Swiss cheese. The afternoon was perfect and after a long walk we reach the base of the Cliffs from which there is a view indescribable. I sit perched among the rocks in layers. P1010126 I like to think so that you hear a seagull here. I would take the flight and I also see this from Ireland. I'll be back with your feet and mind on the floor and slowly return to the path of wasting a lot through the fields bordering the beach.

Let's go back to the b & b to rest a little before launching into the atmosphere of the village at night.

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From Waterville to Dingle

P1000856 The memory of the memorable dinner at Paddyfrog is still very much alive when we wake up early ready for breakfast. Descend the stairs leading to the ground floor of this wonderful b & b and ask for our daily dose of pancakes.

P1000898 The cloudy sky is gray but are moving quickly and let us hope for an imminent lightened timely that not long in coming. We continue our trip and we head for Dingle. We meet an immense bog bordered by an impenetrable forest. Convinced that certainly is the abode of some fairy, we park and we go through the trees. The play of light that filters through the leafy barely covered with moss is amazing. We walk on what seems an immense soft and furry animals. Our footsteps make no sound completely absorbed by the silence of the forest. The atmosphere is worthy of a fantasy saga and reluctantly take up the road.

P1000909 About twenty miles before Dingle is the beach of Inch (so called because it looks like a big toe of sand and dunes that stretches into the ocean). The sun is high in the sky and the wind starts whipping it's time to prepare the kite. IMG_0311 The gusts of wind, I allow some evolution and, I confess, I enjoy as a child. The feeling of having all that wind in your hands is intoxicating.

We allow ourselves a break at the beach cafes, where a showcase full of all sorts of sweet wins easily our resistance. From the window of the coffee you can enjoy a magnificent view of the beach and once again I feel invaded, drenched, permeated of Ireland. Ireland did not you tell it with words or pictures. The Ireland must feel with its icy wind, the smell of burning peat, the clinking of glasses and the smile of an old man who seems to have a thousand and one stories to tell.

We resumed our march, and enjoy the unhurried way down the coast last show before reaching the peninsula of Kerry and Dingle Connor Pass Road where it will stay for the night.

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From Kinsale in Waterville

P1000716 Blue sky in the morning we awake from a restful sleep. We eat breakfast in bed and breakfast including delicious pancakes drenched in maple syrup topped with bananas and strawberries. The beautiful day immediately puts us in a good mood and there we journeyed to the southwest.

I drive to Kenmare where we stop to stretch your legs. The center of Kenmare is terribly quaint and immerses the visitor in the lively and colorful atmosphere of the typical Irish villages. P1000727 Every shop, pub or restaurant seems to be competing with others to get noticed and ultimately the effect is magically perfect a set of chromatic harmonies.

Go on the road that follows the coast south of Kerry Sneem and stop to visit a nearby beach hidden rightly stated "White Sdrand". The white sandy beach overlooking the sea, embraced by a rugged and slippery rocks. The show is indescribable. There's just us and a couple of seagulls. The sun is warm and the wind slaps my face nicely. I feel really at peace with the world.

P1000737 We resumed our journey and we decide to have lunch on the beach between Liss and Glanberg (on N70) where there is' a little place which overlooks the sea. An excellent fish and chips and a stroll on the beautiful beach. To my surprise I notice a couple of local customers who surf the Internet with their laptops. I ran to get my car and within seconds they are networked by one of the most remote beaches in Ireland. P1000773 For an instant contact with the computer takes me back to reality and reminds me of the commitment, work and Italy. Another sip of stout and memories fade away. It 'like crazy in this place you can really lose (in the figurative sense of the word) and phase out all contact with reality.

Continue along the road to Waterville as the sun and the blue of the sky as they leave room for some rain clouds. We prepare the daily Irish rain.

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From Dingle to Doolin

IMG_0633 Leaving Dingle and head towards Tarbert where we hope to take the ferry that will take us across the Shannon to Kilrush and saving us time and the miles needed to walk along the bay of Limerick.

The day side has the typical Irish weather: fog, rain now slightly stronger hours, wind and some sun piecemeal. IMG_0637 We get on the ferry in the hope of spotting some dolphins along the way but have no luck on the Shannon.

Doolin reach as ever happened in all my travels, or wrapped in mist and rain. Doolin would not otherwise.

A meal and a pint of O'Connors and suffered a must visit to Magnetic Music Café: a truly unique place that houses both a music store (almost all traditional doc) and a cafe where you can taste the delicious homemade cakes . IMG_0654 I do not know what's in this place so special, but I assure you that once sat at a table will be very difficult to decide to go out again.

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