Ireland: Exploring Around Killarney

Our day started early with a 9 am pre-booked Jarvey Ride in Killarney Park to Ross Castle with Killarney Jaunting Cars.

The Jarvey ride took us to Ross Castle on the edge of the lake inside the park.  

After our jarvey ride we went and picked up some food for a picnic and headed south into the park in search of a good picnic spot.  We first drove down to a place called 'Lady's view' which of course had a nice view but little picnic spots.  We then drove back north and stopped at Muckross House and Gardens again still inside the park.  Muckross house is a manor house on the lake that is now a public garden.  We picked a nice spot on the lawn between the house and the lake.

After lunch we headed back to our hotel for Preston's afternoon nap.  After waking we drop up to a high point near Aghadoe church ruins and gives great views of the lake and park:

This evening was our second date night of the trip.  I had pre-booked a babysitter and the plan was to do dinner and go to a show called Celtic steps.  We had a nice dinner at a restaurant called the Smoke House.  From there we proceeded to the Celtic Steps show arriving just as it started.  It was Irish singing, music and dancing at its finest.  Highly recommended! 


Ireland: Dublin to Killarney

Before leaving Dublin today we wanted to swing by and see St. Patrick's Cathedral which was also very close to where we stayed.  Being Sunday, it was not open for tours but just walking the grounds and listening to the bells was amazing.  

After departing Dublin our next stop was the southwest of Ireland - specifically Killarney in County Kerry.  This would be our longest drive of the trip so the car was stocked with snacks, and computers, DVD's, Ipads were fully charged.  Nonetheless we were only on the road for less than 30 minutes when Abbie decided she had to go to the bathroom.  No big deal - we made great time the rest of the drive and got to our next hotel by about mid afternoon.  After getting settled in our rooms we headed into Killarney town to stroll around and find a place to eat.