Starting where we left off... we headed down to the local pub in Stoneyford for a pint of Guinness and a pizza. We sat by the fire and admired the team photos from the Kilkenny hurling team ( I guess they are really good). We are SO happy to be traveling in the off season because we are pretty much the only tourists in any areas and everyone talks to us and wants to know where we are from, where we have been, etc.
We were happpy to spend another night at the Lawcus Farm Guest house with Ann-Marie and Mark. They are such an amazing couple who have spent years creating their dream home and B&B. Justin and I aquired so many tips and ideas to build and design our home some day while Mark gave us a tour. We also shared an Irish Coffee and Justin had some Moonshine. After dark, we took a walk down to the Kings River (in the backyard) to look for fish with a torch (flashlight). We spotted beautiful brown trout and a river otter!
King's River + Mill
In the morning we had another wonderful breakfast from Ann-Marie and talked about our next road adventure. After speaking with Mark, we decided to head west to visit the Beara penninsula (SW). So happy we did!! We drove through Cork, into Blarney where we visited the Castle with the famous "Blarney Stone".
Blarney Castle
This adventure was particularly heartfelt for us because my mom had been there when she was 13 years old! Justin and I both kissed the stone that is said to give you the gift of eloquence. After, we headed to the little town of Kenmare, found a little bed and breakfast to stay in for the night, and had a nice pub dinner. We can't say enough about how nice all the people are here!!! Makes us never want to come home!! (Just kidding... we miss you Charlie!!) Kenmare was a cute, quaint little town with two little main streets for shopping.
Kenmare
After breakfast, we were off for the "Ring of Beara". We had amazing views of the country side, mountains, sheep, deer, and even came across a local farmer who stopped his tractor on the road to talk to us!
After driving around the penninsula and through the pass we decided to continue driving north a bit. This is when we discovered the panoramic and beautiful Killarney National Park. This area included large lakes and towering evergreens.
Killarney National Park
From here we landed in the town of Tarbert, on the River Shannon where we will take the ferry across in the morning. We found another B&B... after finding no answer at a few:) A very nice husband and wife are putting us up tonight, and gave us a few ideas to check out in the local area. Tonight, we are starting to settle in, with a shower and a comfy bed. Off to the cliffs of Moher tomorrow morning!!!
Good Night, J and Em
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