Views of Ireland

The southwest coast of Ireland is absolutely stunning. Skip and I have talking this whole trip about how curious it is that a small country with only 4 million people has so captured world's attention and affection. Standing on the cliffs and beaches of its western-most shores, it's gets easier to understand.

Ireland is on the verge of a big financial collapse and this week they passed a new emergency budget. Everyone is going to be paying more taxes, but they did it the way I like it. Those who make more bear the larger burden. In reading the papers and listening the radio, it seems the two most controversial items are the taking away of the Christmas bonus and the halving of the jobseekers benefits to those under the age of 20. Apparently everyone who is on welfare (and here, welfare includes older people--like our social security) typically receive a doubling for their benefits in December as a Christmas bonus. That won't happen this year. The government is being accused of canceling Christmas. People looking for work also receive benefits and they are halving those benefits for those under 20 to encourage them to seek more education and training (some of which is covered by the government). So times are tough here in Ireland. We're doing our best to boost the economy.

We've encountered quite a few Americans in our touring around, but our hotel seems mostly Brits and other Irish folks. We hit the family friendly hotel for this stay. It's got the indoor pool (swim caps required) and a kids club. We've never used one of these before, but Maddie is loving it. They serve children's "tea" from 5:30 to 6:30. It's a buffet of every thing Maddie likes. Chicken nuggets, pasta, roasted chicken, fries. The veggies are kid-friendly corn, peas and carrots. And the there is a huge selection of ice cream and other desserts. So we go with her while she eats and then we take here to the kids club area to play with the other kids. There is coloring and games and movies, and the big draw--other kids! Then while she is there, we go eat with the other grown ups.

We have one more day here in Dingle. Then we will head toward Dublin and, eventually, home.




Maddie races the waves on a beautiful beach on the Dingle peninsula



Feeding the seagulls. We were told if you tossed up bread crumbs at this point they would never hit the ground because the gulls would swoop in so quickly to catch them. Our birds either weren't that swift or had bad aim. They got the crumbs after they hit the ground.



Maddie and Skip in front of a "beehive house". These are dwellings the ancient people of Ireland made and lived in. There is no mortar holding this huts together. It is all stacked stones. These have been there for over 1500 years. Whoa.



Maddie and me at the "beehive".



One of the many gorgeous views off the Ring of Dingle. We chose this option over the more famous Ring of Kerry because it's a shorter route and we read that the sights were just as stunning. I don't believe we made a poor choice.




Ever since we went to Scotland in October, I have wanted to pet a sheep. Finally, my dream was realized. Here is Maddie with the sheep. They really are very fluffy.



Another great view on a beautiful day. It was supposed to be cloudy and rainy, but we got sun and clear skies. Maddie thinks it's God's way of making it up to us for the smash and grab earlier in the week.



Maddie enjoyed writing on a remote section of beach.




Back in Kinsale, Maddie tired of the walking tour we were on and sat down to read her new Irish joke book. In Kinsale, there is a well-known restaurant called Fishy, Fishy. Back in the 60's when its founder opened the place, people thought she was crazy. Back then Catholics still had to eat fish on Fridays and the only thing available was dried, smoked fish or tinned fish, like tuna. The townspeople couldn't believe that she could prepare fish in a way that would make people want to eat it. Fishy Fishy turned out to be the start of Kinsales rebirth as a gourmet seaside town. Now people come for the sea, the history and the food.

There is also in Kinsale an Eli Lilly factory where they make Prozac. Our guide told us when the wind is just right, you'll notice the locals taking lots of deep breaths.



We thought this was funny. On a path that led from the historic James Fort back to the town of Kinsale we came upon this door leading to another path up the hill. Don't know if you can see the key pad that locks the door OR the fact that you could simply walk around the door. Would love to know the story behind this one.




Here is Maddie on the beach at Ardmore where St. Declan first brought Christianity to Ireland around 415.