Ring of Kerry - Aug 17

Turf Cutter's Dwelling, Kerry Bog Village

Headed off for the ring of Kerry, which is a circular drive through County Kerry.

We started off at a Peat bog village from the 18th/19th century.  For more than 1000 years, they have used peat for fuel and insulation. They used peat because of a lack of trees and a surplus of bogs.  At one time they had the 2nd highest volume of bogs in the world (Finland had the highest).  They still have a significant amount of bogs remaining.

There were 5 houses in the village - it reminded me of the Lake County History Center's poineer village only bigger (we'll get there yet).  All had thatched roofs. In fact, the thatcher had the best house in the village.  The poor laborer's house was the smallest, had dirt floor (instead of flagstones), and the smallest windows. (You were taxes in the size of your windows - they believed it a luxury to have more light. Which is why half doors were common.)

They also had some Irish wolfhounds, which are the tallest dogs in the world. They were known as royal dogs, for ruling chiefs and kings only.  They have a sweet disposition and great hunting ability (seems contradictive to me).

 Then we headed off to the ring of Kerry, a road that circles around the Iveragh Peninsula.  The view along it is magnificent. We stopped at a coffee shop along the way and I took a walk and got some beautiful pictures. We passed through the Dingle Peninsula, from where we could see Ireland most westerly point. Ryan's Daughter was filled at a beach we saw on the penisula.

Staigue Stone Fort

We passed the Staigue stone fort, built ca. 300 AD. It doesn't look like much, but it is considered an engineering fete for many reasons, such as it was built without using mortar.

Thatched Roof House

Next we went to Adare in county Limerick.  Judith and I had fish & chips at a pub downtown, and then went exploring. Adare is known for its thatched roofs, which I have to say are very well done. I like the way they carve out around the window

 Spent the night in Ennis.  Most people went out to a Irish dance thing. But I had heard there was an Irish festival downtown, so Susan and I went downtown. We heard lots of great music, even a kids group on the sidewalk. Turns out it was an annual festival that goes to a different city each year. This year just happened to be Ennis.

Children musicians at Irish Fest

The best part was on the way home. On the way there a had an a couple of ladies1 dresses in period costume coming out of a building. There were lots of other and the dress ranged from causal to black tie. It didn't make any sense. The ladies reminded me of the Baldwin sisters from the Walton's based on there dress.  Later on the way

After the reinactment, @ the anniversary memorial

home, we ran into the two ladies again.

This year is the 100 year anniversary of the Irish Rebellion (Irish fight for independence). Sir Roger Casement was executed for his part in the effort. What we had seen earlier was the letting out of a reinactment of his trial, complete with "solicitor" garb. The ladies then proceeded to tell us all about the trial and show off the globe which was an anniversary memorial.

I walked a new high number of steps - 21,500!