slaw's Tuesday May 8th, 2012

Left Cork this morning with our lives intact - I tried to run a red light in the middle of the most complicated round about I've ever seen. I have gotten quite comfortable driving on the left side and guesstimating the space around our rental car (which we named Lanigan) but I'm not sure I can get used to the poorly marked street lights! Good news is: we survived!
Today, our big stop was actually many stops. We drove the 179km around the Ring of Kerry. On a very narrow, marginally safe, poorly marked road (coincidently with a speed limit of 100km/hr - pretty sure the Irish have a death wish!). It did offer some amazing sights: the atlantic ocean, hills ( mountains?), grazing sheep, 2500 year old forts in ruins (less exciting than it sounds!). We ended up on an island called Valencia where we drove to the highest peak for an amazing 360 degree view. And more sheep!!
Finally we headed towards Dingle where we will be spending the next 2 nights!! Apparently the dingle peninsula is even more impressive than the ring if Kerry - and requires less driving. The town itself is quaint and unique and colorful. We found a very nice B&B in the middle of town and thomas, the man helping us, advised us to eat at the most amazing restaurant called An Canteen (mmm crab cakes and smoked salmon salad) and then to a fantastic pub called the courthouse where we had a pint of Irish beer and listened to real trad music!! (in Canada we would probably call it a somewhat informal jam session). I was in heaven:) There was guitar, flute, tin whistle, and vocals with traditional Irish tunes. And random patrons called up to sing! My next purchase will be a cd or two!!

Dingle, Munster, Ireland at 8:07pm IST.

Cork, Munster, Ireland at 9:01am IST.

Departed from Cork, Munster, Ireland on May 7, 2012 8:14pm IST. Arrived at Cork, Munster, Ireland on May 8, 2012 9:01am IST.