Czeching Out Tasmania

Before I start posting about our new home on the other side of the planet, I have one or two more posts from home to show the sheer beauty of Ireland. Looking forward to getting out and seeing what Tasmania can do to compete but one thing is certain, Ireland will take some beating when it comes to scenic beauty.

Following on from the previous post featuring a lovely trip into the mountains near Dublin, my parents had such a lovely time that they decided to bring me on a road-trip to County Kerry a few days before I was scheduled to meet friends in Dingle for a stag party. Before we left Czech Republic I promised myself I’d try to get out and see Ireland’s beauty before we set off on another adventure and when my friend sent the invite to the stag party in Dingle it was a win win, two birds….one stone. A few weeks later and my parents announced we’d be taking a trip down that way also…….what a time to be alive!

Our first port of call was to be Kenmare, on the south-eastern edge of the Iveragh Peninsula and we arrived there around dinner time after a pleasant drive along the coast after we left Cork. We had a lovely dinner in one of the pubs in the village before having an early night, ready to hit the Ring of Kerry the next day. The following morning we set off early, heading West towards Sneem and along the Wild Atlantic Way. That name is a bit of false advertising at times as often the road is nowhere near the sea or the view is blocked by trees or hedges.

The next few hours moved by in a blur of oohs and aahs from me as vista after vista appeared over the horizon or around the next bend. My parents, being the awesome supportive people they are were happy to stop for a photo opp whenever I requested and we took family photos at the more scenic spots which was really nice to have and they’re images I can look back on fondly whenever I feel homesick down here in Hobart. Before I knew it, we had driven round the most of the peninsula and were on our way towards Dingle where yet another amazing scenic experience awaited us. More on that soon.

The route we took was mainly along the N70 road from Kenmare heading in a clockwise direction around the Ring of Kerry. At Cahersiveen we turned east and ventured inland towards the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks and Ireland’s highest mountain, Carrauntoohil. We didn’t quite make it into the heart of the mountains so will have to pay the area another visit when we get back and go for a hike into the mountains.

The following photos don’t do the scenery justice in any way and the only way to truly experience and appreciate the landscape of the Iveragh Peninsula, or any peninsula and/or scenic location for that matter is with your own eyes. No collection of pixels on a screen will come close to the real experience. So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and book your tickets to Ireland now, bring your car or rent one and do the Ring of Kerry. ALL of it. Take side roads, get out of the car, gamble on that little lane leading towards a little dinky harbour. Explore, be inquisitive and above all, enjoy every minute of it.