Killarney

On our last full day in Ireland we had planned to do a bus tour of the Ring of Kerry, but we had left it too late to book. There was only one company doing the tour at this time of year. I guess not many want to go out at the end of November. We did take a bus to the starting point of it. This was the city of Killarney. If Jack sang it's Christmas in Killarney one more time, I was going to slap him up side the head! The bus trip was amazing. we saw beautiful countryside, full of farms and rolling hills. It really is as green in Ireland as you imagine it to be. The landscape did change dramitically at one point becoming very dry and barren, with lots of jagged rock. Much like you would see in parts of Scotland.

Castle on way to Killarney

We arrived in Killarney at about 1pm and lucked out with a beautiful sunny day, still really cold, but at least sunny. We wanted to go out to Ross Castle. There was a nice trail that took you alongside a river to get to the castle. It was about a 45 minute walk. The castel was as beautiful as in the pictures we saw of it. It sits at the edge of a large lake. The surrounding grounds are very nice. We paid the entry fee to go into the castle. They have restored it immaculately and have placed some furniture from the period inside it. We learnt all kinds of things about the history and usage of castles. We were told about all the defence tactics used. Like pouring of scalding hot animal grease onto enemies from holes in the castle floors. There were small slits like windows used for shooting arrows out of.

Church in Killarney

 After the castle we spent the rest of the afternoon walking around

town center of Killarney. It was full of quaint shops and cafes. We were really surprised in both Dublin and here, we found very little celtic type souveniers. I think we have more celtic stuff to buy in canada than what we saw in Ireland, maybe you have to go to specific places to get it.

That ended our last day in Ireland. We had to go the next day to catch our flight back to London. A week was no where near long enough to spend in this friendly and beautiful country, but we were glad we got the chance to see it at all.

Church in Killarney 02

Countryside on bus ride to Killarney

Countryside view from bus 02

Ross Castle 01

Ross Castle 02

Ross Castle 03

Ross Castle 04

Ross Castle 05

Shops in Killarney

Street of Killarney

Street of Killarney 03

Town on way to Killarney

Town on way to Killarney 02

Walk to Ross Castle

Walk to Ross Castle 02

Walk to Ross Castle 04

Walk to Ross Castle 05