Day 13: July 3rd

We set off for the Dingle peninsula at 9.15 heading towards Kinsale as that was a really pretty stop recommended to us. It was quite chilly but reasonably fine and the route took us along nice country roads to Cork, rather than on the motorway.
Steve drove to Cork and we got there just after 11 so stopped for a coffee and to stretch our legs. Cork has a population of about 225,000 but feels a bit like Hamilton in size. It also has a river (the Lee), which is not nearly as pretty, but the city centre itself is really attractive. We found a nice cafe for coffee and brunch and then split up for an hour to walk around and see the sights.

The river Lee makes the Waikato River look particularly scenic 🤪

Like most places in the UK and Ireland they love their planted baskets of summer flowers. Cork wins the prize so far.

The Turkish eggs and porridge were beautifully presented and tasted great also.

We discovered this food market in the centre of Cork. We would definitely shop there if we were residents.

The buildings were really interesting. Half of them seemed to be solicitors.

A joke surely. There seemed to be a number of drunk people on this very street even though it was only lunchtime on a Monday.

I assume this is an old facade retained with new build behind.

After Cork we headed towards Killarney as that was the most direct route to Dingle. Of course we completely forgot about going to Kinsale. Maybe next time. We swapped drivers and I continued as driver to Killarney and then Dingle. Killarney is also very pretty. We stopped there for a coffee and had another walk. Would definitely go back and explore some more.

There are heaps of beautifully painted buildings in Killarney.

By the time we got to the Dingle peninsula (south western point of Ireland) it was cold and drizzly. I mean puffer jacket cold. Inch is a swimming and surf beach. Well it’s summer so there were people swimming and bodysurfing. Completely nuts!

Dingle itself is a little coastal town that is very touristy because of its cuteness. We are staying at a 3 star place that is clean and well positioned in easy walking distance of the town. We like the pubs and the restaurants are great. There is at least one Michelin star place (closed on a Monday) and the one we got into without a reservation was excellent.

We found this place for a Guinness when we arrived.

My warm goats cheese salad for entree at Lord Bakers restaurant was excellent. Evidently the oysters, crab legs and steak were also as good as the hake and mussels that 3 of us had for mains!

Mike and I decided to further our education of Irish whiskey with a post dinner drink at one of the many pubs on the way back. This one definitely catered for locals rather than the tourists. No music and heaving crowds. We liked it and will sample another brand tomorrow night!

The weather forecast is for a balmy high of 15C and rain tomorrow. It’s a pity as the coast and rural environs are gorgeous and would be very photogenic on a good day. The landscape is very green and not unlike the North Island but very hard to capture properly with an iPhone (out of the car window 🤪).
A tour of the local distillery is looking likely for tomorrow. 🤗