Carole Terwilliger Meyers's Blog, page 65

Great Sleeps: The Lantern Townhouse B&B, Dingle town, Dingle Peninsula, Ireland

The Lantern Townhouse B&B  Main Street, downtown, + 353-66-9151088.  4 stories; 10 rooms.  E30-50/person.  Breakfast + E5.  No pets.  No smoking.  Parking free on street.  Centrally located on the town's main upper street, this B&B is just a few steps from restaurants, pubs, and shops.  During my stay, the cheery desk clerk provided excellent suggestions for restaurants and for pubs with traditional Irish music.  Breakfast offers a choice of either a Belgian waffle with fresh fruit or eggs scrambled with smoked local salmon on toast, plus a buffet of cereals, pastries and breads, local Irish cheeses (I still wish I’d eaten more of the scrumptious apricot chees), and more.  Decor is simple but pleasant, with knotty-pine night stands and matching armoire and dresser.  Rooms in front face the active and interesting but sometimes noisy main street; rooms in back face a quiet garden and have a beautiful view of the hills. 

More things to do on the Dingle Peninsula.

More things to do in Ireland. 

More information about Ireland.

Travel articles to inspire and help you plan trips.


images c2013 Carole Terwilliger Meyers 

Good Eats & Drinks: Dingle town, Dingle Peninsula, Ireland

Ashes Bar  Main Street, +353 (0)66 9150989.  L-D daily.  We enjoyed a fine three-course Early Bird fresh fish dinner in this cozy little spot.  Some guest rooms are available upstairs. 

Murphys Ice Cream  This award-winning ice cream is served up in a bright little shop that provides the perfect spirit lift on a rainy day.  The best local ingredients are used--including the wonderful rich milk from the rare, indigenous Kerry cow—and they make their own chocolate chips.  Flavors include Dingle sea salt and Guinness, both of which I tasted, but I ultimately decided on my favorite--butterscotch. 

O’Sullivan’s Courthouse Pub  The Mall, +353 (0)66 9152853.  Painted brilliant blue with red trim and touted as the newest old pub in Dingle, this cozy spot presents traditional Irish music nightly.  It promises no television, no juke box, and no pool table--just great music.  A turf fire warms things up, and a back
beer garden cools things down.  It even has free Wi-Fi (but you won’t want it).  We met a couple of Australian women here and had a good chin wag with them as they downed their Dingle gin and tonics and we sipped on Guinness.  No food is served. 

More things to do on the Dingle Peninsula.

More things to do in Ireland. 

More information about Ireland.

Travel articles to inspire and help you plan trips.


images c2013 Carole Terwilliger Meyers 

Great Eats & Drinks: Dingle town, Dingle Peninsula, Ireland

Ashes Bar  Main Street, +353 (0)66 9150989.  L-D daily.  We enjoyed a fine three-course Early Bird fresh fish dinner in this cozy little spot.  Some guest rooms are available upstairs. 

Murphys Ice Cream  This award-winning ice cream is served up in a bright little shop that provides the perfect spirit lift on a rainy day.  The best local ingredients are used--including the wonderful rich milk from the rare, indigenous Kerry cow—and they make their own chocolate chips.  Flavors include Dingle sea salt and Guinness, both of which I tasted, but I ultimately decided on my favorite--butterscotch. 

O’Sullivan’s Courthouse Pub  The Mall, +353 (0)66 9152853.  Painted brilliant blue with red trim and touted as the newest old pub in Dingle, this cozy spot presents traditional Irish music nightly.  It promises no television, no juke box, and no pool table--just great music.  A turf fire warms things up, and a back
beer garden cools things down.  It even has free Wi-Fi (but you won’t want it).  We met a couple of Australian women here and had a good chin wag with them as they downed their Dingle gin and tonics and we sipped on Guinness.  No food is served. 

More things to do on the Dingle Peninsula.

More things to do in Ireland. 

More information about Ireland.

Travel articles to inspire and help you plan trips.


images c2013 Carole Terwilliger Meyers 

Sights to See: Dingle town, Dingle Peninsula, Ireland

DINGLE town is at the southern end of the Dingle Peninsula set facing the harbor.  The most westerly town in Europe, its restaurants offer tasty food and its cozy pubs present traditional Irish music.  The main street runs along the harbor (Strand Street), and another higher main street runs up above behind it (Main Street); several smaller side streets join them.  Buildings are painted in an array of colors--the area is popular with artists--and wandering around browsing the shops and peeking into the pubs is a great way to pass the time.  Don’t leave the area without driving the Slea Head Drive, also known as the Ring of Dingle.  As it circles the southern peninsula, it passes many of the antiquities that are scattered across the area and provides spectacular views.  Peak season is August, when the Dingle Races draw crowds from throughout the area to watch the horses run every other weekend.

Things to Do
St. James’ Church  Main St., 087 2849656.  Folk concerts are sometimes scheduled in this charming small church that seats just 100.  An ancient cemetery adjoins. 
Commodum Art and Design   Main Street, +353 66-9151380.  Interesting locally made woolens and art pieces fill this clean-lined shop.  I was partial to the knitted flock of sheep inhabiting the window display.  Hand-knitted right here in the shop from natural Aran wool, you can buy a lamb or slightly larger sheep or a whole flock.

More things to do on the Dingle Peninsula.

More things to do in Ireland. 

More information about Ireland.

Travel articles to inspire and help you plan some spectacular local and foreign getaways. 

images c2013 Carole Terwilliger Meyers  
 

Sights to See: Conor Pass, Dingle Peninsula, Ireland

     The relatively remote Dingle Peninsula is known for its rugged mountains, jagged cliffs, and archaeological sites.  Mount Brandon reaches 3,130 feet and is Ireland’s second-tallest mountain.  The area has more sheep than residents, and the weather is often rainy but rarely interrupts sightseeing.  Plus it has sandy beaches.  Allow two nights here.
     At Tralee, the peninsula’s entrance point, take the N86, which leads through lovely countryside and provides glimpses of Tralee Bay as it heads to the Conor Pass. Located just before the N86 turns inland from the north coast, the village of Camp has several pubs and makes a good break stop before heading through the rugged Connor Pass to Dingle.
     At times the road becomes very narrow as it climbs up and over the spectacular pass.  Sheep are sometimes on the road, and fog and rain can slow things down through this rocky mountain pass over Mount Brandon.  Finally, on the descent, you’ll have an expansive view of Dingle Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.  Then it’s a hop, skip, and jump into Dingle town.

More things to do on the Dingle Peninsula.

More things to do in Ireland. 

More information about Ireland.

Travel articles to inspire and help you plan some spectacular local and foreign getaways. 

image c2013 Carole Terwilliger Meyers  

Sites to See: Conor Pass, Dingle Peninsula, Ireland

     The relatively remote Dingle Peninsula is known for its rugged mountains, jagged cliffs, and archaeological sites.  Mount Brandon reaches 3,130 feet and is Ireland’s second-tallest mountain.  The area has more sheep than residents, and the weather is often rainy but rarely interrupts sightseeing.  Plus it has sandy beaches.  Allow two nights here.
     At Tralee, the peninsula’s entrance point, take the N86, which leads through lovely countryside and provides glimpses of Tralee Bay as it heads to the Conor Pass. Located just before the N86 turns inland from the north coast, the village of Camp has several pubs and makes a good break stop before heading through the rugged Connor Pass to Dingle. 
     At times the road becomes very narrow as it climbs up and over the spectacular pass.  Sheep are sometimes on the road, and fog and rain can slow things down through this rocky mountain pass over Mount Brandon.  Finally, on the descent, you’ll have an expansive view of Dingle Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.  Then it’s a hop, skip, and jump into Dingle town.

More things to do in Ireland. 

More information about Ireland.

Travel articles to inspire and help you plan some spectacular local and foreign getaways. 

image c2013 Carole Terwilliger Meyers  

Things to Do: Cong village, Ireland

Cong village   Located just outside the property lines of Ashford Castle, this small and atmospheric village is reached by a pleasant walk along the River Cong.  The Quiet Man, directed by John Ford and starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara, was filmed here in 1952, and this village has never gotten over it!  A daily walking tour visits the main filming locations, and an annual festival celebrating it is held in October.  The village also holds:

●medieval abbey ruins: 
Rory O'Connor, the last High King of Ireland, is reputed to have died here.  The “Cross of Cong” is

●unique boutiques:
Ladys Buttery Art and Craft Gallery  purveys particularly nice locally made items. 

●tea rooms:
Jenni’s Country Tea Rooms  offers a freshly baked scone plus tea or coffee for 3 Euros. 
now displayed in the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin.


More things to do in Cong.

More things to do in Ireland. 

More information about Ireland.

Travel articles to inspire and help you plan some spectacular local and foreign getaways.  

Things to Do: Hawk Walk, Ireland’s School of Falconry, Ashford Castle, Cong, Ireland

●Ireland’s School of Falconry  Though its origins are not certain, falconry is believed to have begun in Mesopotamia at around 2000 B.C. and is believed to be the oldest sport in the world.  By 1228, when Ashford Castle was built, the sport was well established in Ireland, among both the nobility as sport and the peasants as a way to secure food.  Now, Ireland’s original School of Falconry specializes in Hawk Walks but also is home to eagles, owls, and falcons.  All of the birds fly every day.  Peregrine falcons have been clocked at 246 m.p.h. and are the fastest living things in the world.  They are employed by airports to keep birds and pests away from runways, and indeed just their presence is a deterrent. 
     Dingle, an amber-eyed female Eurasian eagle owl--the largest species of owl in the world--is housed here. 
     According to our guide, Conal Dixon, “Dingle is the only bird we ever had that never caught anything.  Fully imprinted as a baby bird, he thinks he’s human.” 
    Our Hawk Walk was with Inca, the first Peruvian hawk in Ireland.  Conal pointed out that she has “lovely hearts on her knickers feathers.”  It was thrilling to witness her flying from a tree to perch on my arm as we walked with her through a dense and beautiful forest.  I highly recommend that you add the experience to your bucket list. 
    Though operating on castle land, this school is an independent facility.  It is not open for visits except by appointment for a walk or lesson.

meet Dingle the owl:


meet Inca the hawk:


how to release a hawk:


hawk Inca makes a spectacular return to the glove:


More things to do in Cong.

More things to do in Ireland. 

More information about Ireland.

More castles. 


More owls to see when traveling.
  
Travel articles to inspire and help you plan some spectacular local and foreign getaways.  
 
videos c2013 Carole Terwilliger Meyers 

Great Sleeps: Ashford Castle, Cong, Ireland

Ashford Castle  In Cong, 30 mi. N of Galway.  83 guest rooms.  Breakfast included; 3 restaurants; 2 bars.  Health spa; bicycle rentals.  One of the finest and most luxurious castle hotels in Ireland, this impressive property is set on 350 acres along the shores of Ireland’s largest lake, Lough Corrib, and the River Cong (both are famous for trout and salmon fishing).  It offers country sports that include horseback riding, fly fishing, golfing on its own nine-hole course, clay shooting, and hawk walks.  Guests can take leisurely walks through the grounds and along many paths, visit a variety of magnificent formal gardens, and as well as take boat rides on the lake.  A round of golf is complimentary with every stay.  Public rooms in the castle are fitted with wood-coffered ceilings, Waterford chandeliers, huge Chippendale mirrors, period furniture, fine art objects, and warming fireplaces.  Wi-Fi is free in the magnificent Drawing Room lounge, where a full afternoon tea is served. 

     This castle dates back to the 13th century.  It was the Guinness family home from 1855 until 1939, when it became a hotel.  In 1970, it was acquired and developed by Irish-American John A. Mulcahy.  Visitors come from around the world and have included President Ronald Reagan, Oscar Wilde, John Lennon, Brad Pitt, Pierce Brosnan (who rented the entire castle in 2001 for his wedding), King George V of Britain, and King Edward VII--for whom a special billiard room was built.

     Poshly appointed guest rooms include 83 in the original section of the castle that date back to the 13th and 17th centuries.  They feature high ceilings, traditional four-poster beds, original fireplaces, and antique furniture. Some have clawfoot tubs.  Rooms in the newer wing date to the late 1960s and are also quite nice.  I can attest that corner room 316 has a commanding view of the bridge and river and a lovely soaking tub.  Being in the center of this vast estate, as the castle is, makes for a deep quiet at night. 

     Built in the late 1800s in honor of a visit by the Prince of Wales (the future King George V of England), the Prince of Wales Cocktail Bar is perfect for an afternoon or pre-dinner cocktail.  It is also the place to be a 6 p.m. on September 26 to raise a glass of Guinness in celebration of Arthur’s Day--the birthday of former owner Sir Arthur Guinness (all of Ireland does the same thing at this time).  When the Dungeon Bar is open, it is a fine option and features evening entertainment. 

     The George V Dining Room offers elegant evening dining, as well as a more relaxed breakfast buffet in

the morning.  For dinner, a jacket and tie are required, but if you forget to pack them you can borrow from a small closet selection.  The more intimate Connaught Room, located in the old wing, is open May through September.  Built about 10 years ago, Cullen’s at the Cottage operates within a spacious thatched-roof cottage and offers a less fussy and pricey, but still delicious, menu featuring items such as fish & chips, seafood pies, and steak.



More things to do in Ireland. 



More information about Ireland.



More castles. 



Travel articles to inspire and help you plan some spectacular local and foreign getaways.  



 

images and video c2013 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Good Eats: Au Fear Gorta Tea & Garden Rooms, in Ballyvaughan; and The Tide Full Inn, in Kinvara; Ireland

Located on the north coast of Country Clare, on the way towards Galway after leaving the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren, the pretty little village of Ballyvaughan has a good choice of accommodations, pubs, and restaurants, including:


Au Fear Gorta Tea & Garden Rooms  065-7077157.  Daily 11am-6:30pm, Apr-Jan; $$.  A lovely garden and large koi pond with golden fish greeted us as we approached this ultra-charming upscale tea room fronting Galway Bay.  Gourmet lunches include smoked local salmon with lemon-caper dressing, beef-and-Guinness potato pie, and assorted open-face sandwiches.  A groaning table laden with pastries and cakes and goodies galore tempts
at tea time.  I do wish we’d stayed for a late lunch, but we weren’t
quite hungry yet so we continued on, stopping at:

The Tide Full Inn  On Main St., in Kinvara, 091-637400.  Cash only.  W-M noon-10pm.  Packed with locals, this cafe has a few tables both inside and out on the street-side sidewalk.  It is a prime spot to enjoy a sandwich, salad, or pizza, which we did. 



More things to do in Ireland. 



More information about Ireland.



Travel articles to inspire and help you plan some spectacular local and foreign getaways.  



 images c2013 Carole Terwilliger Meyers