Exploring the Dingle Peninsula

Roamed the streets of Dingle town tonight since our B&B’s internet access seems inaccessible,  and found a hotel where we are now sitting and trying to catch up on the blog.  Drove six hours yesterday of mainly two lane country roads from Mullagh to get here to the beautiful Dingle Peninsula on the southwest coast of Ireland.  On the way we stopped at Clonmacnoise, beautiful ancient monastery remains, about which I will write tomorrow.  Our B&B, Emlagh Lodge, is lovely, with a beautiful view of Dingle Bay, and just a few minutes walk to Dingle along the sea wall.  I had a lovely Irish breakfast this morning – which is basically meat and eggs, a cholesterol lover’s delight:  Ham, sausage, black pudding (a kind of blood sausage), and white pudding (another kind of sausage), and an egg.  Served with brown bread which is offered with most breakfasts, soups, and stews.  After breakfast, we went for a hike on Conor’s Pass.  This area has the highest mountains in Ireland, and beautiful rugged landscape.  It is also on the coast so within minutes you can be on the beach or in the mountains.  Took a short hike, then drove down to the beach and walked a little, before deciding we were hungry and stopping for a picnic lunch overlooking the beach (we had stopped at a grocery store before heading out of Dingle, and picked up picnic provisions).  The weather in Ireland has been amazing – the locals can’t believe how warm and dry it has been, and the tourists are loving it as well.  No need for fleece or rain jackets.  We’ve been in t-shirts and shorts, unless a cloud covers the sun, and the temperature immediately drops several degrees, and we pull on a jacket or sweater. After our picnic, we hiked up to a beautiful corrie (glacial lough), Pedlar’s Lake.  It was a rugged hike, over springy bogs and rock, but well worth the effort, as we passed heather and foxglove on our way.  After our hike, we drove above the rocky cliffs of Slea Head, viewing the Blasket Islands, and ancient stone Beehive Huts or clochans.  We ended up our busy day with an unimpressive pub meal in Dingle, and a Bulmer’s Cider, an alcoholic apple drink that is quite refreshing after a day in the sun.

Roadside picnic above Castlegregory beach

View from Conor’s Pass

Paul walking up to Pedlar’s Lake

Theresa and I at Pedlar’s Lake

Sandra at Pedlar’s Lake

View of cliffs from Slea Head Drive

Beach featured in film “Ryan’s Daughter”

Kurt standing in front of ancient Beehive Hut