Ireland – Day 6 – Vagabond – Day 3
Wednesday, 15-May-2024
Tags: Travel
Arriving in Dingle the day before, we spent Wednesday on the Dingle Penninsula, with a stay at the hotel a second night.
While part of the group went horseback riding, we and another couple were dropped off nearby at Ventry Beach. We walked down and back for about an hour, and Eileen waded in the ocean a bit.
Ventry Beach.
After getting the riders, we drove the Slea Head Loop to the end of the Penninsula (clockwise) and looped back to Dingle. The Slea Head Drive is a portion of the main Dingle Pennisula drive. The road winds around close to ocean until the return portion of the loop, so there are great views everywhere. We made stops along the way, where Jason pointed out the islands — the Skelligs, and the Blasket Islands — one of which is called and looks like the Sleeping Giant.
On the drive.
Sleeping giant.
Everything is so green.
The group.
We drove to Clogher Head - Ceann Sratha, the westernmost point of mainland Ireland, for a hike up to a promontory and back, about 1 mile.
Clogher Head.
Finally, we went to Kilmalkedar Church, an Early Christian and later Medieval site. This site is associated with St. Brendan, though thought to be founded by St. Maolcethair, a local saint. The church that is there today is from the 12th century. Of note: the medieval sundial is from the 8th or 9th century; An ogham stone (early writing of Old Irish, which consists of strokes) is from the 5th or 6th century; and the Alphabet Stone with Latin writing, is from the 6th century.
The church.
After the church, we headed back to Dingle.
Map of the drive.
We took a walk into town from our hotel, sometimes in rain, sometimes in sun. We ate at the Fish Box, highly recommended by Jason, and although we got there at different times, the entire group ended up eating there.
Shrimp and chips, and shots of Dingle.
At 6:30 pm we got instruction for our Naomhóg traditional rowing instruction and row. The Naomhóg is a traditional rowing vessel made from wood, tar and canvas. We had three boats, each directed by a guide. It was a blast.
Rowing!
After rowing, most of us went to Foxy John’s for beer. Laura stayed back at the hotel, and Bee came after we left.
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Larry and Eileen Samberg