The Road to Dingle

    Dingle, on the southwest coast of Ireland, is one of those picturesque places that seems drawn from a fairy tale.

     The Dingle Peninsula, the Ring of Kerry, and Slea Head command a beauty that is without peer.  We have images to share, but first the road to Dingle offers majesty of its own.

   Glendalough in the Wicklow mountains, the home the hermit like St. Kevin, (remember the previous post-" ...and he threw her right into the lake...) offers scenic beauty and history. 

     The Round Tower was built about a thousand years ago. Few of these remain.

   The Bell Towers were used to call the Monks to prayer.

   One's perspective is enhanced when immersed in artifacts of the 10th century. The manner of construction, the endurance of the building, their role in a monastic life and faith, all play in your mind against the reality of the 21st Century.

     This part of Ireland offers natural wonder

 and a cultural history as well. 

   This Luggala estate was recently sold. It was the mountain castle retreat of one of the Guinness brewing heirs.

  He was a rock music patron and the castle hosted some of the biggest stars in the business. With its lake and surrounding mountains it is an extraordinary "retreat."

  Our journey from Dublin to Dingle was orchestrated, chauffeured and guided by Kay and Jack, both of whom are a wealth of knowledge and wit.

    Thatched houses abound in Adare, and we'll spend more time there in an upcoming post.

The Jaunting Carts of Killarney

     Muckross Manor on Upper Lake Killarney.

    It is an empire of green through Killarney and County Kerry.

 Inch Beach under brooding skies. 

     It is a green nation and speckled with vibrant color, both domestic

     and wild. The resplendent green vistas are dotted with a yellow. It is Furze, a type of gorse. 

     As Californian's Lana and I have become accustomed to having a green season, a gold season and the dry and brown season. Seeing the interior of Ireland and making the drive to Dingle gave us a chance to see why and how Ireland is considered Emerald. 

     It is a wonderful place on this planet to Tog Bog as one of the road signs read. I think it translates as "take it slow."

    Coming up-Dingle, the Peninsula, Slea Head and the Ring of Kerry.  

THE WEEKENDER-FOREIGN TONES

THROUGH OTHER EYES

   We had the good fortune to entertain a couple of delightful Irish visitors the last two days.  Kate and Jack are completing a California odyssey, San Francisco to San Diego with side trips.

   Jack had fun asking our friends and other he met "if there was something special about the 4th of July?"  His humor belied an extraordinary knowledge of American history.

    And their very presence exposed what could well be an American assumption about the Irish.  In the course of our first dinner I apologized for not having any Guinness on hand, as I had finished my supply a couple of days ago.

    "I've never had a Guinness" he confessed.  The next day we were at a winery when the owner stopped by to chat.  Learning that Kate and Jack were from Dublin, he proceeded to sing the praises of Guinness.

    "I'm an Irishman who doesn't drink Guinness," Jack retorted as Kate chuckled knowingly.

     Friends who hosted a 4th of July party had stocked the chiller with Guinness. Seeing such Kate smiled and said in an aside comment "Guess we need to work on our reputations here."

     So easy to make assumptions isn't it?  While we hope we helped them record great California memories, Lana and I will recall and tell again how these two travelers knew more about the history of the US than A) we knew of Ireland and b) than many, many Americans know about their own nation's history.  Being a history nut, I was pleased to have such an affable, witty and knowledgeable conversation mate.

     We look forward to returning the pleasure with a visit to them.  With that wry sparkle in his eye, I expect Jack may offer us a pint of Guinness. And I need to read some Irish history.

HERE'S A GREAT VARIATION ON THE FLASH MOB

(thanks to Bruce for the forward)

Have a great weekend.  See you down the trail.