The Ring of Kerry in Winter

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OKAY!

I finally got all my pictures uploaded and titled. I hope you like them!

I went on a weekend trip to the Ring of Kerry which is one of the biggest tourist destinations in Ireland. We stayed in Cahirciveen at a great hotel and the food was amazing! The weather was very Irish -- it rained and was foggy the whole weekend, but what can you do? That's County Kerry in Winter!

We also heard from a lot of local people who told us about life in the area. A farmer from Valentia Island told us about how he is turning some of his property into a tourist attraction. Farming is becoming less and less profitable, and tourism is becoming the main economic driver.

We met Maurice Fitzgerald, a famous Gaelic Football player. He taught us some rules of the game and explained that Gaelic Football is a very demanding sport, but most people are against it ever becoming a pro sport. They think money would taint the game. Right now young kids start out playing for their parish teams and then when they get older they play for their parish, and they can also get recruited to the county team. The big tournament is the All-Irish final, which pits county against county until they find a winner! It seems like a really tough sport.

The trip organizer called in some musicians and we learned Ceili dancing! The three dances we learned were Siege of Ennis, Walls of Limmerick, and Bridge of Athlone. I didn't get to take any pictures because I was busy working up a sweat!

All in all it was a great weekend and I'm so glad I got to see all of the beautiful countryside!

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Photos

Artistic Dog Shot
I tried to make the dog out of focus in the background but the forefront should have turned out in better focus.

Irish Wolfhounds
PUPPIES! These dogs were really big and really cute! We saw them at the Kerry Bog Village which is an authentic representation of an early 1800s thatched village.

Peat Stack
Peat had to be stacked in a very specific fashion so that the rain wouldn't soak through it.

Fuel for the FIre
This is a traditional peat fire. I loved how it smelled and my whole body smelled like the smoke even after I'd showered the next day!

Can you Imagine?
Living like this? The smoke smelled nice and the fire was warm but the entire house was filled with the smoke, making it extremely hard to see! Plus it burned your eyes after a while.

Stabling the Animals
Animals would often be stabled in the house with the family. After all, livestock was usually the most important possession any family had.

Gourmet Kitchen
It was a different world!

Half Door
Houses would have doors like this because windows were taxed at higher rates than doors. This way a house could have natural light without having another window to tax!

Peat Stack
Huge pile of peat!

Kerry Bog Pony
These ponies were used to cart butter to Cork for export.

Bog Land
Where the peat comes from!

The Wheels on the Bus!
Me and my friend Colleen on the bus that most of the trip was spent on.

Valentia Island
A gaeltacht (Irish-speaking) island accessible by bridge.

Telegraph Field
This was where the first transatlantic telegraph cable was laid in 1865. The first message transmitted began "Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace and good will to all men."

ROOMIES!
Lindsey, Hannah, Moi, Dana

Nicest Weather Ever!
Just kidding, this is a picture of a sign. It actually rained the entire weekend!

The Real Picture
Geokaun Mountain and Fogher Cliffs

Comments

[Tim Kelly]

Once again...
K; Once again you have captured the magic that is Ireland. You are truly an arteeeest! Much Love! Dad

[Kim Egeland]

ahhhh!
Dear Kaelyn you've brought a tear (or two) to my eye! I have spent the most of my time in Ireland in County Kerry but haven't been there in a few years and these brought back such happy memories! It is such a magical place! You did introduce me to some sites I have not seen though, so next time I go I will have to check them out! Love you and though it's a couple of weeks off, have a great St. Patrick's Day enjoying the celebrations in true Irish fashion! Aunt Kim

[Megan Walsh]

This is so cool KK!

[Megan Walsh]

Wow that is gorgeous!

[Mom]

Nice kid - wish i were there with you. Love you...Moms