Blogs from Dingle, County Kerry, Ireland, Europe

I continue to revise and update this email about corned beef. This was written a many years ago, but still applies today. These days, we have our St. Patricks' Day meal at home. I actually enjoy preparing it. It is one of the few meals I know how to prepare. In years past, we had parties! I think they have become extinct. St. Patrick's Day is the perfect time to have one of my favorite dishes, corned beef and cabbage. So, aside from buying and preparing this dish, I wondered about the origin and history of corned beef. The term "corned" comes from the large rock-salt kernels, or "corns of salt" covering beef in a crock. This process preserves the meat. The term has been in the dictionary since 888 AD. Leave it to the Irish ... read more

SAT, 06 AUG 2022 – “Day 7: Sheepdog Demonstration and we enter the Kingdom of Kerry - We’ll take in a portal tomb at Poulnabrone, locally referred to as ‘Hole of the Sorrows’, the oldest megalithic burial site in Ireland, dating back to 3000 BC. From the long-time dead, we’ll meet up with the lively farmers of Caherconnell who’ll treat you to a sheep dog trial. With a whistle here and a whistle there, watch as they direct the collies to run rings around the sheep. The rest of the day belongs to Dingle, home to a very famous dolphin and where Inch is a strand with miles of beaches. Tóg go bóg é (take it easy) and wander round its craft shops selling Irish flutes and seaweed cheeses. As evening draws in, take a trip ... read more

Zaterdag 31/8/2019 – Vrije dag, zelf in te vullen. Gezien het slechte weer van gisteren opteerden wij voor een lange MH rit. Heen en terug van Cahersiveen naar Dingle 210km aan de overkant van de baai op het einde van het Dingle schiereiland. In vogelvlucht misschien 30km. Maar 100km langs de weg. Tot Killorglin een stuk 'Ring of Kerry' maar dan in de tegengestelde richting dan die aanbevolgen voor tourcars. Omwille van de smalle banen. Voor ons viel het nog te doen. Behalve dan op de terugweg van Dingle wanneer de GPS ons een zeer smalle weg (max3m) instuurt die uiteindelijk 20km lang blijkt. U-bocht maken kon niet meer. Dus gespannen dan maar verder, in de hoop om toch niemand te moeten kruisen. Gelukkig geen kat te zien. Wel mooi baantje gedaan. Maar blij wanneer het ... read more

Today started with Horseback riding on the beach. Shelly decided not to go but i went anyways. Nicky and Tim also didn't go. It was fun. We used English saddles which I've never used before. I actually think they are more comfortable. One lady (not in our group) fell off her horse. Luckily it was on the beach and not in the mud, the road or the prickly bushes we also road near. The van picked us up and we then drove around Dingle peninsula. Unfortunately the weather of yesterday was not today. It started raining. oh well. We stopped at a place where they had the old beehive style stone houses and the lady that owned the land was there and invited us in her house. She had a picture taken with Tom Cruise when ... read more

I had decided after looking at all the travel books on Ireland that we would be able to handle about a day of cows and sheep grazing on the rolling green fields. When I started reading about the the WILD ATLANTIC WAY I knew this is what we needed! This route is the world’s newest and longest defined coastal touring route…just 2500 km - we would actually driving at the edge of Europe (or as an Irish lad said) this would be the "last stop before New York" . We seem to get our adrenaline rush from those very very narrow roads - that have boarders of bushes which are instead of shoulders on the road. In simple terms - you are driving on the wrong side of the road with no room for error . ... read more