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Published: September 17th 2013
We stayed in Cork for two nights as we mentioned in our previous post and have included the photos of some of the sites in the Cork and Cobh area. The Heritage Museum in Cobh below Cork is a not to be missed attraction. Everything you need to know about the sinking of the Titanic and Lusitania are here at this museum. Incredible audio and visuals.
We then left Cork on Sunday morning and enjoyed the easy drive out of town without any traffic. New to us! We drove the very rural highways along the southern coast of Ireland working our way over to the major attractions of the Mizen Head Peninsula, Beara Peninsula, Ring of Kerry and Dingle Peninsula. The drive down through the Mizen Head Peninsula was quite dramatic with stunning views of the coastline. We went to the very end where you are at the southern most point in Ireland. We were hoping for a primitive campground to set up our tent but they don't allow camping in many of the areas so we reluctantly drove further up the peninsula to Bantry. I guess things happen for a reason because the Lord blessed us with a B&B
that we rated as a "10" because of the small things they provided for us. The B&B was called The Mill House B&B and we called them by pure chance out of about 10 on our list. She was so lovely on the phone that we said "this is the one" and it was great. If you come to Ireland and find yourself anywhere in southern Ireland near Bantry stay at The Mill House. A welcoming couple, beautiful house, great rooms, night time tea and coffee, breakfast to die for, good information on places to eat, and 7 minute walking distance to all the restaurants in Bantry. We told them what our plans for the following day and he highly recommended that we make a change to include The Beara Peninsula which we had initially crossed off our list to save a few hours on our journey over to the Ring of Kerry peninsula. His suggestion was a blessing. The dramatic views of the rugged coastline along the Beara Peninsula was well worth the added drive. The roads are very narrow and most of the time you have to slow as you pass another car coming your way. Again we
had our outside mirrors pulled in to keep from hitting another car in the very tight areas. The blind curves are the worst locations as you have to hand close to the inside edge in case someone in coming from the other direction. No problems though. At the end of the Beara Peninsula is a cable car that carries you over to Dursley Island which is inhabited now only by the birds, but the wind was blowing so hard - really hard off the Atlantic! - the operation had been suspended for the day. We drove back up much the way we came down so to cross the Healy Pass which we were told had some outstanding views from the top of the pass as you cross from the east to the west side of the peninsula. The views were great just don't try to get out of your car as the wind there was so strong you could hardly open a car door against the onslaught of the wind - really! We arrived at 4:00pm at Kenmare which is where 3 rivers come in to the Kenmare Bay. We stayed at a B&B there but in comparison to the
previous night it had no chance but it was OK. Rhea says my 7 out of 10 ranking was about right. I love my hot tea at night and they were not able to provide me with hot water. And I asked them nicely but to no avail. Oh well!
Tomorrow we head out to the Ring of Kerry on the Iveragh Peninsula in the southwestern portion of Ireland . We're planning on staying at the Dunloe View Hostel near Killarney. It's a hostel with goats, chickens (eggs for breakfast), garden from which they provide fresh herbs and vegetables, etc. Wow wouldn't you stay there as well!! That's it till the next blog. Bye!
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Coen Perrott
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Makes me want to go!
Awesome entry! Not sure I would want to drive. Your pictures are beautiful. Ireland is definitely on my list. Some of my Dad's family still have the trunks my ancestors shipped over from Dublin.