“May you always walk in sunshine. May you never want for more. May Irish angels rest their wings right beside your door.” ~ Irish Blessing

Today was the first day of summer, also known as Summer Solstice.  It was a beautiful day full of sunshine.  It was perfect.

Today was the first day we got to “sleep in” on the trip and it was welcome and necessary.  After a leisurely breakfast we headed out through Dingle on our own.  The shops were just opening and they are enchanting.   There was an old church nearby we passed on our way to the waterfront.

The sun continued to shine and the storefronts beckoned us in to view (and purchase) their wares.  It was a morning of being in the moment, enjoying the weather and the only agenda being to enjoy our time together in Dingle.

“Stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight.”

~ Gordon B. Hinckley

We stopped for ice cream from Murphy’s, where the ice cream is made in Dingle from local cows as we strolled along the waterfront.

We stopped in a local grocery store for a drink and saw an entire aisle of gluten free foods!

It was soon tour time and we headed out to the Dingle Peninsula and Slea Head.  The guide told us that the show, Ryan’s Daughter had been filmed there as well as some of the movie The Last Jedi   The view of the landscape was stunning.

Thank goodness for digital film as it was nearly impossible to stop attempting to capture the beauty of the day.

It was truly some of the prettiest scenery I have seen. We stopped at a Gallurus Oratory in Dingle.  This church has a very  distinctive appearance, often referred to as resembling an upturned boat. It is constructed entirely out of locally sourced stone, and is corbel vaulted to support the structure.  It was charming.

“May the friendships you make be those which endure, and all of your grey clouds be small ones for sure.  And trusting in Him to Whom all we pray, may a song fill your heart every step of the way.”

Irish Blessing

We had a brief stop at Dingle Crystal.  The owner, Sean, was a master craftsman with Waterford Crystal before they relocated and he started his own business in Dingle.  They create and hand cut breathtaking collection of crystal gift-ware using Celtic themes with  six different and distinct patterns, It was stunning.

We returned to our hotel and were tired from our leisurely day so headed out to a pub where we found our new favorite drink, “The Dingle Gin Elder flower Tonic!”  It is concocted of Dingle Gin, Elder flower tonic water, and juniper berries and strawberries over ice.

It was a delightful day!

“There are many good reasons for drinking,
One has just entered my head,
If a man doesn’t drink when he’s living,
How the hell can he drink when he’s dead?”

~ Irish Saying