This morning we headed out fairly early for Killarney. We were booked for a boat ride through the Lakes of Killarney followed by a jaunting car ride through the Gap of Dunloe.
Of course, it’s Ireland, so it was raining and overcast. But we weren’t going to let a little Irish weather dampen our spirits!
We arrived at Ross Castle, where we were greeted by our guide, Laura, and then made our way down to what they consider the “dock.” Soon we were loaded into a small open boat captained by our new friend Paul and off we went.
Our trip took us through the three Lakes of Killarney—Lough Leane, Muckross Lake and Upper Lake—with narrow rivers and channels connecting them along the way.
Apparently Ireland hasn’t had enough rain lately. I know, hard to believe considering how much of it seems to fall on us!
At one particularly shallow spot, our boat got hung up on some rocks. For about 15 minutes, Paul worked on getting us through while the four of us started wondering if we were going to have to get out and walk through the water to lighten the load.Thankfully, it didn’t come to that and eventually we were on our way again. And we were getting eaten by little tiny bugs! They were very annoying for sure!
Even with the rain, mist and cloudy skies, the scenery was breathtaking. The lakes were incredibly peaceful, surrounded by mountains and miles and miles of green. We were traveling right through Killarney National Park, which covers more than 25,000 acres of lakes, mountains and woodlands. It’s also Ireland’s oldest national park.
Eventually we reached the end of our boat ride and were dropped off at Lord Brandon’s Cottage, where we had some sandwiches, soup, coffee, Irish coffee, and a chance to warm up.
While we were there, we met a couple from Kansas who had just gotten married the previous Saturday and were honeymooning in Ireland. One thing we’ve noticed on this trip is how easy it is to start talking to people wherever we go.
Eventually it was time for the next part of our adventure.
We met Patrick and his son Liam, who would be taking us through the Gap of Dunloe in a traditional horse-drawn jaunting car. Patrick and Liam are fourth- and fifth-generation locals, and their family has lived and worked this land for generations. They’re also sheep farmers—which, considering the number of sheep we’ve seen around here, seems pretty appropriate!
The ride through the Gap was beautiful.
A little bumpy here and there? Absolutely.
At some of the steeper uphill sections, we got out and walked to give the horse a break. But around every turn there seemed to be another incredible view—mountains, lakes, stone bridges, sheep and that unbelievably green Irish countryside we’ve become so used to seeing.
Hopefully you’ll actually get to SEE some of those views in the pictures… if I can ever get WordPress to cooperate and let me post them!
At the end of our ride, a little van was waiting to take us back to our car, about a 20-minute drive away.
By this point we were hungry, damp and definitely ready for something to eat.
We made our way back toward Waterville and stopped at The Lobster Bar, a great old Irish restaurant and pub. The food was delicious, the atmosphere was exactly what you’d hope for in an Irish pub, and it felt pretty good to sit somewhere warm and dry.
Now, it was already getting late for us old folks, and the sensible thing probably would have been to head back to the cottage.
But we knew it was music night at Tig Rosie’s.
And since this would probably be our last chance to stop in before leaving Ballinskelligs, we decided we’d go in for one drink.
You can probably guess how that went.
We ended up staying until about 10:30—and we’re so glad we did.
It was an Irish traditional music session, where musicians from around the area just show up with their instruments, pull up a chair and start playing together. There was no stage and no big production. Just a group of incredibly talented musicians sitting together in a little Irish pub playing music.
What a treat.
We listened for a couple of hours, and when we finally left, they were still going strong and didn’t appear to be stopping anytime soon.
It was the perfect ending to a really great day.
Then it was back to the cottage and straight to bed for all of us.
Tomorrow is our last full day in Ballinskelligs. We need to start getting ourselves packed up and ready for the next part of our trip, so I don’t see anything too crazy on the agenda.
Then again… we’re in Ireland.
On a special note – Rest in Peace Dolly, you were one amazing woman. 🦋💔
See you down the road!
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