Dingle Loop to Ennis

Leaving Dingle, the morning of Sunday, September 5, we took off on the Slea Head Drive - a circular loop around the Dingle Peninsula.  We decided to see Eask Tower, which required about a 45-minute hike up a hill overlooking the coast. The solid stone beacon tower was built in 1848 to guide ships safely to the Dingle Harbor Pier. Beautiful coastline views were enjoyed from the hilltop.

We made a stop at Dunbeg Fort - but it was locked up and there was little to see. The nearby Beehive Huts, or Caher Conor, are ruins of 12th century beehive shaped small homes.

The rugged coastline was just as impressive!

Cashel Murphy was also nearby, and I insisted on another stop. While Bob waited in the car, I quickly went to explore a site similar to Caher Conor. This site claims to have been built in 3200 BC. Five beehive homes encircled within a stone wall, along with a courtyard for daily activities and keeping animals, food storage and a fireplace have been discovered here. It was quite a beautiful little community dwelling. I remember at this point in time being struck with awe at the rich history of Ireland! I had not expected the Emerald Isle to be covered with sites that pre-date the pyramids of Egypt.

Slea Head Viewpoint is marked with a large white crucifix alongside the road. From here you can see the Dunmore Head and the adjacent Coumeenoole Beach. Dunmore Head is the westernmost point in Ireland. The six Blasket Islands can be seen off in the distance. Dunquin Pier winds dramatically down the cliff as it reaches toward the sea, is one of the most famous sights along Slea Head Drive. What a view! Near Dunmore Head, in the last photo of this group, you can spot three beautiful sloping mountains known as the three sisters.

As we looped around the Slea Head drive, we came upon a pottery studio and shop and stopped for a quick look.  I was hoping to find some sort of mask for Bob's collection, or perhaps just some Irish ceramics - a recommended souvenir from Ireland. We were unsuccessful, and proceeded to the nearby Riasc - a monastic settlement from the 6th century.  Most interesting was the Reask Stone (10 were found at the site), etched with crosses, swirl designs and the letters "dne" - meaning "O Lord", in Latin.

Aiming to drive to Adare Village before nightfall, we drove through Connor Pass, taking in some of the lovely views along our way. It seemed we were seeing the outlines of stone settlements everywhere we looked.

I was looking forward to seeing some of the traditional thatched roofs, which are prevalent in Ireland, and has read that Adare was where they would be found. We stopped in the cute little village and had a nice Italian Restaurant for dinner - though what we were offered was lovely, it didn't quite appear Italian to us. In Adare, we saw more affluence than we had noticed thus far. Traffic was heavy and it was fun to see pride being displayed for their local Hurling Team seniors who were competing in the National Tournament.

After dinner, we drove to Limerick, thought to be the birthplace of those very funny and often off-colored five-line poems. However, whether this is the true remains unproven.

The limerick packs laughs anatomical

Into space that is quite economical.

But the good ones I’ve seen

So seldom are clean

And the clean ones so seldom are comical.

We walked around the 15th century Bunratty Castle - which claims to be the most authentic castle in Ireland. The structure here is the 4th castle built upon original Viking trading grounds. A medieval dinner and folk festival is held here, but was not operating because of Covid. 

A beautiful castle which is converted into a hotel was our last stop before driving to Ennis for the night.  Dromoland Castle Hotel is a five-star luxury hotel with a golf course, and Michelin star restaurant, which is frequented by the rich and famous from around the world. With room prices starting above $1000 per night, all we could afford was a photo or two.

Sadly, our boutique hotel in Ennis was quite a disappointment, but it was in close proximity to Burren National Park, where we would be spending the next day.