June 25 : Second Day in Killarney

Today we did the famous “Ring of Kerry” drive. The Ring of Kerry is a 180-kilometre-long circular route in south-western Ireland. around the Iveragh Peninsula. "The Ring" is a popular day trip and numerous bus companies offer tours during the summer months. As the narrow roads make it difficult for tour coaches to pass one another, all the tour buses run in an anti-clockwise direction.

We passed through several scenic villages, went over tall mountains, through thick forests and circumvented many lakes, during our five-hour tour. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate as it was rainy and cold.

Our first stop was at a restaurant, where the owner specialized in seaweed. We tasted five types of seaweed and I can’t say I was impressed.

Next, we passed through a couple of villages which had rather unique festivals. First was the Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival, which is party for singles. Originally promoted to allow local farmers to meet prospective wives, it is now a multi-weekend street party. Next is Ireland’s oldest festival, Puck Fair in Killorglin. This is used to celebrate all things “GOAT.”  Don’t ask!

There are an enormous number of sheep in Ireland. They graze in common pastures. A farmer will mark his sheep by painting a stripe on the wool of his sheep. If the sheep has been serviced by a ram, then he will add a second stripe. In order to keep foxes from attacking the sheep a farmer will often put a donkey in the same pasture. It seems to scare the foxes.

To finish the day, we went on a horse and carriage ride through Killarney National Park. For some reason the driver thought we would be trilled to see deer. He also pointed out the various trees and plants. If it hadn’t been cold and wet, it might have been enjoyable.

You may have noticed I haven’t talked about food and wine. The reason for that is that most of our meals have been ordinary. The service in most of the hotels restaurants has been terrible. The Donloe Hotel in Killarney has been a pleasant exception.