Irish Rally part 2 - Flemings White Bridge, Killarney
What a lovely welcome meeting and explanation of the surrounding area by the site owner.
It’s like the Lake District, so lots to do for walkers and cyclists. We were entertained by the owner’s son and daughter playing traditional instruments (flute, harp, accordion, fiddle).
Our first included trip was a tour of the Ring of Kerry, which we did on the Monday, with an excellent driver/guide called Michael Murphy and you don’t get more Irish than that. It started with a visit to a sheep dog trial demonstration and we stopped at several little villages on our way round with shopping opportunities for the wonderful Aran sweaters made in this area.
The driver changed the route a little for us so that we could have a while looking round Muckross House where Prince Charles and Camilla were going to stay a few days later. Muckross House has some wonderful gardens to wander round and some of our party went back to enjoy more time there.
Tuesday evening a few of the group went to Killarney Racecourse where a fantastic show of Irish music and dancing was taking place - if anyone wants to see the DVD let Marilyn know when at a rally.
Our second included trip was on the “Lady of Killarney”, a pleasure boat that took us round Loch Leane, the lake of learning. The tour was about an hour with a very interesting Captain/Guide explaining everything to us. One of the delights was that we managed to see a White Tailed Sea Eagle. At the end of the trip we looked round Ross Castle, on the edge of the lake. This restored building was one of the last strongholds to be taken by Oliver Cromwell’s Roundheads. You can now take a guided tour around the 5 floors but on this visit there wasn’t time.
On the Thursday a number of us took a coach tour around the Dingle Peninsular. This is much more rugged and dramatic than the Ring of Kerry. We were advised not to take any of our motorhomes on the Conor Pass as the overhanging rocks would demolish any over-cab beds! We had lunch in Dingle itself which is very touristy mainly due to Fungi the dolphin who has lived near there for over 20 years. A lot of boat trips are available to go and meet him but there wasn’t the time, so we had to be content with the statue of him on the dock.
In the evening most of us took taxis into Killarney to see another stunning Irish dance/music show at the Killarney Heights Hotel.
Friday 16th was the last day of the SMOC Rally so most people spent the day tidying and getting ready to leave, but we did have a farewell get together in the evening
What a lovely welcome meeting and explanation of the surrounding area by the site owner.
It’s like the Lake District, so lots to do for walkers and cyclists. We were entertained by the owner’s son and daughter playing traditional instruments (flute, harp, accordion, fiddle).
Our first included trip was a tour of the Ring of Kerry, which we did on the Monday, with an excellent driver/guide called Michael Murphy and you don’t get more Irish than that. It started with a visit to a sheep dog trial demonstration and we stopped at several little villages on our way round with shopping opportunities for the wonderful Aran sweaters made in this area.
The driver changed the route a little for us so that we could have a while looking round Muckross House where Prince Charles and Camilla were going to stay a few days later. Muckross House has some wonderful gardens to wander round and some of our party went back to enjoy more time there.
Tuesday evening a few of the group went to Killarney Racecourse where a fantastic show of Irish music and dancing was taking place - if anyone wants to see the DVD let Marilyn know when at a rally.
Our second included trip was on the “Lady of Killarney”, a pleasure boat that took us round Loch Leane, the lake of learning. The tour was about an hour with a very interesting Captain/Guide explaining everything to us. One of the delights was that we managed to see a White Tailed Sea Eagle. At the end of the trip we looked round Ross Castle, on the edge of the lake. This restored building was one of the last strongholds to be taken by Oliver Cromwell’s Roundheads. You can now take a guided tour around the 5 floors but on this visit there wasn’t time.
On the Thursday a number of us took a coach tour around the Dingle Peninsular. This is much more rugged and dramatic than the Ring of Kerry. We were advised not to take any of our motorhomes on the Conor Pass as the overhanging rocks would demolish any over-cab beds! We had lunch in Dingle itself which is very touristy mainly due to Fungi the dolphin who has lived near there for over 20 years. A lot of boat trips are available to go and meet him but there wasn’t the time, so we had to be content with the statue of him on the dock.
In the evening most of us took taxis into Killarney to see another stunning Irish dance/music show at the Killarney Heights Hotel.
Friday 16th was the last day of the SMOC Rally so most people spent the day tidying and getting ready to leave, but we did have a farewell get together in the evening