SNEEM – COUNTY KERRY – REPUBLIC OF IRELAND #Prince

Where were you when…

We have all heard that phrase uttered and it is usually associated with some memorable event.  I wasn’t anywhere when Kennedy was shot.  I wasn’t born yet.  For my generation, Generation X, our where were you when events are likely the Space Shuttle Challenger (1/28/1986, Prairie View Elementary, 6th Grade.  Principle Celt came into our room and told us the news) and 911 (9/11/01, Munson Printing; listening to the KQ Morning Show).  There was another event added to that list not quite a year ago today when Cyndie and I were traveling through Sneem…

Sneem – Blue Bull

Cyndie and I were on vacation driving around Ireland.  We had just had an early dinner in at the Blue Bull in a small town called Sneem in County Kerry.  I was always fun to have a pint and listen to the locals converse with each other.  I  had the incredibly tasty Monkfish which was encased in a hashbrown of sorts.  Wonderful stuff.

Tragic News

Just like every other evening, we stopped at a filling station or store to pick up a refreshments for later.  We made it an evening tradition to have a Magners or Bulmers cider whilst relaxing at the B&B after a long day of traveling.  As luck would have it, there was such a store that had exactly what we were looking for just a wee bit down the way from the pub.  While in the Christians Foodstore I heard the news report from the television mounted to the wall.  I did a double-take as I wasn’t sure what I had just heard.   I look down at my feet where the newspapers were laid out; there it was in print:  Prince Dead at 57.  I remember exactly where I was when Prince died (4/21/2016).  I was in a convenience store in Ireland when I heard the tragic news.

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IVERAGH PENINSULA – COUNTY KERRY – REPUBLIC OF IRELAND #discoverireland

The Road to Iveragh Peninsula

Our adventure continued as we made our Map - Killimer to Killarney, Iveraph Peninsula, Ring of Kerry, County Kerryway from Loop Head heading further South toward the Iveragh Peninsula and the Ring of Kerry in County Kerry.  We decided to save some travel time and take the ferry from Killimer to Tarbert instead of driving all the way around the bay through Shannon and Limerick.  Again, meeting our goal of steering clear of major metro areas.  The bypass of the Dingle Peninsula was intentional; instead we headed toward Killarney area where our next scheduled B&B was located.

West of Killarney on N72; just North of Beaufort is another remarkable stone arch bridge.  I never tired of these beautiful bridges.

Stone Arch Bridge

Hillcrest Farmhouse

Map - Killarney to Hillcrest Farmhouse, Iveraph Peninsula, Ring of Kerry, County KerryWe stayed at Hillcrest Farmhouse, Black Valley B&B for two nights.  This B&B was a perfect place to spend two days and explore area attractions such as Ring of Kerry, Ring of Reeks, The Black Valley, Killarney National Park and Dingle Peninsula.

You don’t just simply make a few quick turns on the main road and arrive at Hillcrest Farmhouse.  At least that is not the case when coming from the Northside.  You path goes right through The Gap of Dunloe.    The Gap of Dunloe is a lovely mountain pass. The pass is located between Macgillycuddy’s Reeks (west) and Purple Mountain (east) in County Kerry, Ireland. It is about 11 km (6.8 mi) from north to south.

road signsOnce through the gap, you enter The Black Valley.  The views are something to see.  Once in the valley our B&B was a short distance away.  Most areas of Ireland are very well marked with signs.  From the B&B sign, it was a single lane road around a small bend.  You can see where the Purple Mountains get their name from, the rock here had a definite purple hue to it.Purple rocks

As if appearing out of nowhere; nestled in among the hillside was our home for the next two nights.Hillcrest Farmhouse, Black Valley B&B

 

Once we checked in and got settled into our room we explored the valley a bit and set out to find some dinner on the Ring of Kerry in town named Sneem.

The second highest peak on the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks range

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