EUROPE BLOG May 16th, 2023 - DINGLE PENINSULA

 

5/16/23- While checking out of our hotel, I’m approached by the person who checked us in a few days prior. He mentions he’s read my book and if he can have a picture taken with me, so of course I oblige. Wow, how awesome is that. Aaaand, that’s how today starts.

We drive the rental car 2.5 hours and arrive in Dingle around 3pm. The road is very easy to navigate and absolutely beautiful with rolling, green hills everywhere. We have to stop several times as we reach the peninsula for photos, trying hard not to cause a traffic jam along the way.

On arrival, we check-in to our hotel (Quayside B&B) throw our things in the room, ask for a tourist map, and off we go. We have no time to waste as we’re anxious to head down the coastline. About 10 minutes into the drive, we come across a vast open water area and quickly pull over and jog down the stairs for a better view. This is why I love having a rental as we can simply stop our car anytime, anywhere.

We continue our drive to Dunmore Head, which we hike up a tall hill to the top for some excellent views of the Atlantic Ocean and small islands. Apparently Star Wars – The Last Jedi was filmed here as well. It’s a bit hard on the legs, and we have to dodge sheep manure, but it’s well worth the journey. Surprisingly, the wind isn’t blowing as much as I would’ve thought.

Another thing we explore is the Beehive huts. These are preserved prehistoric, old rock dwellings from around 2000 BC located on the hillside. It amazes me how these are still standing without anything to hold the stones together. While here, a bird jumps on the hood of our car and stares at us through the windshield. Great, another pushy bird looking for a handout.

Next up is the ruined church of Kilmalkedar. Built around the year 1200, its roof is completely gone with only the exterior walls still standing. Gravestones new and old surround the once prominent church giving it a unique appearance.

Last up is Rahinnane Castle. It cost only 2 Euros for entry, and we have to go through the backyard of a house (and through an actual field of sheep making sure to watch our step once again), which is all weird. At one point I hear the sheep as if they’re laughing at us, which doesn’t help my nerves. I mean, I’ve seen horror movies start out this way. In the end, we make it to the castle, take our photos and move on.

After about 3.5 hours of driving and hiking, we make it back to Dingle. With the time pushing almost 7pm, we search for a restaurant and find several places closed already. Kelvin wants pizza, so we continue to search and finally come across a place. Of course he orders a large, spicy one for himself (which I was kinda hoping we’d share) so I order a whole Margarita pizza and about bust my stomach eating 7 of the 8 slices.

We finally get back to our small hotel room and stay in for the night. Another successful day accomplished with good weather.

Side note- Everyone we’ve met is extremely nice and friendly in Ireland. A simple hello turns into a conversation of where we’re from and what we plan to do, or even more in depth questions about our heritage. They’re also super helpful and sometimes open with the cursing. It’s definitely a different world here, one I’m beginning to enjoy.