Sunday June 12/Day 8: Slea Head Drive and Dingle

The farm dogs (Jess and Ivy) checked in with us —“knocking” on the outer door — around 9 am…did we want to play? They would have played fetch with that green soccer ball for hours. Our dogs have never figured out “fetch.” (But we love them anyway)

Charles and I went into the village to do some souvenir shopping. There were so many lovely shops! And not just the typical touristy knick-knacks and tchotchkes, but interesting woolens, jewelry, stained glass and other Irish made items. We also bought Irish chocolate at the grocery store. I do wish I had purchased more woolen items on Inishmore (back on Wednesday); I think the items there were less expensive and more interesting. Yet another excuse for a return trip.

The main activity for the day was the Slea Head drive (2 hour+/45 kilometer) around the western edge of the peninsula. The scenery was absolutely stunning. The pictures don’t even come close. (Greg took some of the pictures from the back seat.)

There were sheep and goats everywhere. And of course, many more ruins. We stopped at only a few. Several of the sites seemed to be privately owned, which we also saw when Charles and I went to Great Britain in 1998.

The Gallarus Oratory is an intact chapel building in the shape of an upside down boat. It may be 1300 years old. It isn’t very large and it is dark, due to the lack of windows. Along the path to the building was a hedge of fuschia. Clearly a different growing climate. As we walked back to our car, another vehicle was parked extremely close. The last picture shows the state of the parking lot (the only two cars!) Maybe we looked friendly?

There were so many places to stop and so much to see!

We went back to the AirBnb and the dogs were ready to play! I hadn’t latched the outer door, so they came right on the porch. Good thing we love dogs.

We had an early dinner at the Dingle Pub and listened to a live traditional band. We walked around a bit more and stopped for ice cream; I chickened out and did not get the Irish Brown Bread! But the Kieran’s Cookies and Smooth Chocolate combo was delicious.

Greg pointed out Dingle was reminiscent of Bar Harbor and I have to agree. Lots of eateries and tourist shops, cute buildings, amazing scenery, and the ocean right there.