The Dingle Peninsula

We started our travels this day under a very cloudy sky and rain.

Our first stop was supposed to be a gorgeous beach (and I’m sure it is on a clear day). We were surprised to see a group of surfers having a lesson -

As Steve commented, “If you’ve prepaid for surf lessons in Ireland, inclement weather is no deterrent.”

The Dingle Peninsula is one north of the Iveragh Peninsula (with the Ring of Kerry) and is still in County Kerry. Lots of stone walls, sheep and green spaces -

We stopped to see some Beehive Huts that were built with drystone corbelling about 1,000 years ago. Unfortunately, most of these were lacking intact roofs…

… but we did spy a couple up a hill on private land that appeared intact -

As we continued driving, the skies slowly cleared.

Coming around the western tip of the peninsula….

… we were treated to blue skies, sandy beaches and offshore islands.

It was just amazing how high up the hillsides that the stone walls continued -

Another beehive hut!

Just another pretty view of Coumeenole Beach -

Our next stop was Dunquin Pier (Cé Dhún Chaoin)…

… which served the Blasket Islands -

There was a placard here that had an old photo of a herd of sheep coming up that steep ramp.

Still moving on, Clogher Strand (beach) was gorgeous…

… and Sybil Head was dramatic -

Here are a couple of pictures from a typical small town (note the bright colors and the stones on the corners) -

… and this was the typical style of lettering for signage (although luckily, only rarely in Irish) -

Our final stop was the Gallarus Oratory -

This was built in the 7th or 8th century, and was so well constructed that the interior has remained dry to the present time!

This round window at the back was certainly unique -

I’m going to close with an example of some of the music we’ve been enjoying when raising a pint (of Guinness, of course!) in local pubs: