Ireland: Part Two
After a bit of delay, I present you with the continued story of Ireland. You can find the first section of the trip here.
Day Six: Went on a lovely hike, Knockmorough Woods at Lough Hyne. Between the moss and the ferns and the trees and the moss, I felt like I had been doused in green. They were very much the woods that live in my imagination, all twisted trees and secret hollows. Avoided the overly-aggressive swans living in the lake.
Want for my backyard!!
Day Seven: Day seven was all about Killarney National Park. Went to Muckross House, which is one of the best examples of the Victorian stately home in Ireland. Learned that they once prepared for three years for Queen Victoria’s visit—had curtains and china made in Italy, installed a special escape stair because of her fear of fire, had other furniture made especially for her. All for a two-day stay on her part. Then hiked to Torc waterfall and around one of the Killarney lakes. Also got to go to a 3,000-year-old stone circle in Kenmare, which was pretty awe-inspiring.
Muckross House
Torc Waterfall
This is how thick the moss is. My fingers are just now brushing the rock this moss is covering.
Day Eight: Drove about half of the Ring of Kerry. Loved seeing Staigue fort-- an ancient stone ring fort built about 1,700 years ago--and was also very happy to survive the narrow, twisting, hedge-lined-so-that-you-can't-see-around-the-corners road that took us to it. Was completely blown away by the huge chariot built for Daniel O’Connell, which we saw at his home at Derrynane House. Daniel was a political leader in the 19th century who campaigned for Catholic rights in Ireland, and when he was released from prison, the Irish people commissioned the most impressive conveyance I’ve ever seen. Managed to mainly avoid the python of tour buses around the Ring.
Ring Fort
Why do I have a car when I could have this? Note the information board for scale.
Day Nine: Some sadness today. We were supposed to go to Skellig Michael, an island off the coast of western Ireland with one of the most unique monasteries in Ireland on it. But the seas were too rough, so the boat trip was canceled. Moved on to Dingle instead, stopping at two more ring forts on the way. It still kills me that they’re located in essentially someone’s back yard—or sheep pasture. Tried to pet some sheep, but they eluded me. The ring forts are awesome because they're so intact--apparently once they fell out of use, local people began to believe they were fairy forts, and left them completely alone for centuries. Also went to some awesome pubs that night in Dingle and got to listen to traditional Irish music like it’s supposed to be heard.
A more complete ring fort.
Inside the ring fort, which still had remnants of a building inside.
Day Ten: Drove the Dingle Peninsula ring today. I understand that the views are spectacular, but can’t actually confirm that, as the fog was horrible that day. Really, it felt like the Nothing from The Never Ending Story was coming to get us. Enjoyed seeing some new sorts of buildings: the beehive huts and the Gallarus Oratory, which is a chapel that looks like a giant upside-down boat. Went to a folk music concert in a tiny church that night and gnashed my teeth in envy, because it seems like anyone who can play one instrument in Ireland can play five of them. Heard the harp, fiddle, hornpipe, Irish pipes (which are much more awesome than the Scottish pipe, according to the player), guitar, penny whistle . . .So awesome.
The Nothing will consume you.
Beehive hut. Again, essentially in someone's backyard. Why don't I have things like that in MY backyard?
Gallarus Oratory. Imagine 15 probably unwashed monks crammed in there to celebrate Mass.
About halfway through the trip now, so more soon!
Day Six: Went on a lovely hike, Knockmorough Woods at Lough Hyne. Between the moss and the ferns and the trees and the moss, I felt like I had been doused in green. They were very much the woods that live in my imagination, all twisted trees and secret hollows. Avoided the overly-aggressive swans living in the lake.
Want for my backyard!!
Day Seven: Day seven was all about Killarney National Park. Went to Muckross House, which is one of the best examples of the Victorian stately home in Ireland. Learned that they once prepared for three years for Queen Victoria’s visit—had curtains and china made in Italy, installed a special escape stair because of her fear of fire, had other furniture made especially for her. All for a two-day stay on her part. Then hiked to Torc waterfall and around one of the Killarney lakes. Also got to go to a 3,000-year-old stone circle in Kenmare, which was pretty awe-inspiring.
Muckross House
Torc Waterfall
This is how thick the moss is. My fingers are just now brushing the rock this moss is covering.
Day Eight: Drove about half of the Ring of Kerry. Loved seeing Staigue fort-- an ancient stone ring fort built about 1,700 years ago--and was also very happy to survive the narrow, twisting, hedge-lined-so-that-you-can't-see-around-the-corners road that took us to it. Was completely blown away by the huge chariot built for Daniel O’Connell, which we saw at his home at Derrynane House. Daniel was a political leader in the 19th century who campaigned for Catholic rights in Ireland, and when he was released from prison, the Irish people commissioned the most impressive conveyance I’ve ever seen. Managed to mainly avoid the python of tour buses around the Ring.
Ring Fort
Why do I have a car when I could have this? Note the information board for scale.
Day Nine: Some sadness today. We were supposed to go to Skellig Michael, an island off the coast of western Ireland with one of the most unique monasteries in Ireland on it. But the seas were too rough, so the boat trip was canceled. Moved on to Dingle instead, stopping at two more ring forts on the way. It still kills me that they’re located in essentially someone’s back yard—or sheep pasture. Tried to pet some sheep, but they eluded me. The ring forts are awesome because they're so intact--apparently once they fell out of use, local people began to believe they were fairy forts, and left them completely alone for centuries. Also went to some awesome pubs that night in Dingle and got to listen to traditional Irish music like it’s supposed to be heard.
A more complete ring fort.
Inside the ring fort, which still had remnants of a building inside.
Day Ten: Drove the Dingle Peninsula ring today. I understand that the views are spectacular, but can’t actually confirm that, as the fog was horrible that day. Really, it felt like the Nothing from The Never Ending Story was coming to get us. Enjoyed seeing some new sorts of buildings: the beehive huts and the Gallarus Oratory, which is a chapel that looks like a giant upside-down boat. Went to a folk music concert in a tiny church that night and gnashed my teeth in envy, because it seems like anyone who can play one instrument in Ireland can play five of them. Heard the harp, fiddle, hornpipe, Irish pipes (which are much more awesome than the Scottish pipe, according to the player), guitar, penny whistle . . .So awesome.
The Nothing will consume you.
Beehive hut. Again, essentially in someone's backyard. Why don't I have things like that in MY backyard?
Gallarus Oratory. Imagine 15 probably unwashed monks crammed in there to celebrate Mass.
About halfway through the trip now, so more soon!
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