“I only drink on two occasions – When I am thirsty and when I’m not thirsty.” ~ Brendan Behan

Today our journey began on the Ring of Kerry.  It is a 111 mile long circular tourist route in County Kerry, Ireland. It is a popular day trip for many, with narrow winding roads.  It is part of the mystical and unspoiled region of Ireland and it is a photographers paradise. We stopped at the “Ladies View” for a few pictures.

Our first destination was to the Killarney National Park.  It was the first national park in Ireland  created when Muckross Estate was donated to the Irish Free State in 1932.  We climbed a small hill to the Torc Waterfall.  The path along the stream to the waterfall was almost mystical with every green in nature imaginable.  The sounds of the waterfall and the rushing water made you feel like you were indeed in a magic land expecting fairies to pop out around every bend.

Of course one should never miss a photo opportunity in a beautiful location.

“May love and laughter light your days,
and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.”

~ Irish Blessing

We climbed onto (with help) our horse powered “Juanting Cars” and took a lovely ride to see Muckross House and estate as well as some of the Killarney National Park. It was lovely, fun and at times jaunting.

There was an old cemetery and some church ruins.  You can only be buried there is you are a member of the family.

The Jaunting Car ride was a delightful way to spend an hour viewing the park but all good things must come to an end.

We stopped for one of the best lunches on the trip so far at a pub called Murphy’s. We headed off in our van towards Inch Strand Beach in Dingle.  It is a long sand spit backed by dune system reaching into Dingle Bay, popular with surfers, anglers and swimmers.

Of course I could not pass an opportunity to photograph some sheep and cows nearby.

After a few more ninja photo stops we headed into Dingle to our hotel.  The landscape of Ireland is like a beautiful patchwork quilt.  It’s almost impossible to capture in photograph and maybe it is best kept in memory.

“May your days be many and your troubles be few. May all God’s blessings descend upon you. May peace be within you may your heart be strong. May you find what you’re seeking wherever you roam.”

~ Irish Blessing