We last found ourselves at the sunlit bus station in Ennis, waiting for the X51 to Cork. It arrived, eventually, and off I went, disembarking at Shannon Airport. After some difficulty, I found the car rental booth that was actually open at half-seven on a Monday evening and got the keys to my Citroën C1. Some cautious maneuvering around the airport exit roundabouts and I had generally gotten the hang of driving on the other side of the road.
Onwards it was, then, toward Kerry. As sunset closed in, I stopped at a B&B to find it full, as well as all others near it. I continued past Castleisland and found a place to stay tucket away in the corner, guarded by a small yapping dog-like creature. Back into town for wifi at an "American Style" takeway, then back to the B&B for rest.
Up early, I packed, quickly ate a solid breakfast, and started again towards Portmagee. Hardly any traffic impeded my progress, as it seems Ireland tends to wake up around 9 AM. Get your sightseeing done in the morning!
After a few stops at overlooks and the town of Cahersiveen, I arrived in Portmagee. It seemed fairly quiet as the boatmen prepared for the day's excursion to Skellig Michael. I parked, found a postcard to send to my grandparents, and eventually attempted to get a last-minute seat on one of the Skellig boats, but was too late. It seems one needs to queue up around 7 AM the morning of the trip just in case someone called in a cancelation. So, instead, I hiked up the Skellig cliffs and had a good conversation with a family on holiday from Barcelona.
After a brief lunch at the Bridge Bar (the soup is excellent), I booked an eco tour around the Skellig islands on the Lady Clare. We had a full boat: two families, a couple, and myself. I talked at length with Gerry the Englishman and enjoyed the tour around both of the islands. Disappointing not to land and explore the monastery, but still amazing to see the locations where the monks landed and carved impressive staircases into the rock. One can see all three locations, still as useful, it seems, as they were when hewn around 1400 hears ago. After circling the large island, we went to the smaller of the Skelligs, which is overrun with a symphony of seabirds all circling and carrying on. We found ourselves graced by the presence of dolphins and seals as well.
That night, Trad was on at the Bridge Bar. I ate a fantastic meal at the adjacent Moorings restaurant and then joined the party. Local children showed off their singing and dancing talents as the band played a wide variety of tunes. Soon tired, I headed to bed.
Wednesday was road trip day. I got up early and left the Skellig Ring House accommodations as soon as possible, beginning my counter-clockwise tour of the Iveragh Peninsula. After a stop at Ballinskelligs castle, I had breakfast with my friend The Robin at the Westcove Bakery. I found this place accidentally and I am so glad I did because the croissants are amazing. After that, it was off to Staigue Fort, an impressive ring fort randomly up a road nestled amidst the mountains overlooking the sea.
Onwards, past yellows and reds and purples amidst the flowers. Mountains whirred by as I followed the coast road through Sneem and then to Kenmare. I stopped here, noticing a farmer's market in the works. Lunch was a delicious falafel wrap for two euro. Yes please. The town itself has all sorts of fascinating shops that certainly seem worth a second visit someday!
After a steep drive down through the busy mountains near Killarney, Kerry was in the rearview mirror, and the adventure was drawing to a close.
