In light of the pandemic, Ireland is recommending “staycations.” I’m not Irish (news flash), so I’m not speaking from experience, but I’ve been told that in the summer you hop on a plane and go on a summer holiday somewhere else in Europe. Somewhere sunnier, somewhere warmer, preferably somewhere with a beach that you can get a tan. So this summer we’re all vacationing within the country. The government is encouraging it to keep money flowing into these tourist destinations that are without tourists. Drive four hours north and you can be in the giant’s causeway, three hours south and you’re on the southern most tip of Ireland. They are calling these “staycations;” it’s driving me nuts. A staycation means you’re in your pjs on the couch at home watching TV for a week. You might venture to the spa for a massage or a pedicure, might catch a movie but you’re staying HOME. Driving across the country (even a country the size of Iowa) and staying in a hotel or a B&B or an Airbnb is still a vacation. Just my two cents.
Anyway…..Rob and I decided to do our civic duty and went to Kerry for the bank holiday weekend. Packed the dogs off to a kennel and hit the road. We were told we’d be doing the West part of the Ring of Kerry. It’s supposed to be a beautiful drive. Google maps had other ideas. We hit the road and headed southwest. It started off innocent enough on a motorway; nice, wide lanes. Then quickly transitioned into national roads. Not quite as nice but still room for two cars going in opposite direction. Then all of a sudden we’re on one lane highways. Like legit. If another car happens to be coming at you, either you and him is going to have to find somewhere to pull over because only one of you fits. This is the route that Google thought would be best (cue eye roll).
There were sheep everywhere. Now this isn’t the first time I’ve experienced West Ireland roads and sharing spaces with sheep. They do what they want, mind your business. And that dotted yellow line, just there to make sure you know that there isn’t a hard shoulder. You know, in case you missed the obvious!
But then, at the top of the mountain was this amazing view! The pictures don’t do it justice. The weather was shite as evidenced by our hair blowing all over but the landscape was breathtaking. Ok fine, Google, you win this one.
Our destination was Waterville. It seemed like a quaint little town on the map. Cute B&Bs, a beach, everything we were looking for. And it did not disappoint. We stayed at a B&B called The Old Cable House. It’s run by a husband/wife duo and it was so cute! They were so welcoming and breakfast was sooo good! In the evenings we went up to the ocean and walked along the promenade.
The next day, we took a drive along the Skellig Ring. We stopped in Ballinskellig bay. The sun was shining and it was BEAUTIFUL!
The Skellig Ring took about three hours with our multiple stops. The drive takes you up a mountain and when you get to the top you can overlook the ocean and see the Skelligs. Skellig Michael is where the Star Wars: The Force Awakens was filmed.
Dinner that night was at Dooley’s right on the beach. Our window faced the water at sunset (soooo romantic). The oysters were 15 euro for a half dozen which is usually than I like to spend but we were on holidays! I’m more of a buck fifty happy hour oyster from Plank kind of gal. Seriously, my first stop when I get home is going to be Plank (Actually my second stop, my first stop will be to pick up Bridgette. Oyster shooters all around!)
I have a habit of asking where oysters come from. I like to keep an oyster journal about the ones I like and why (nerdy I know). I asked the waitstaff where these bad boys came from and she kind of giggled and pointed out the window to the bay. That’s definitely a new one for me! They were so good; big, lots of flavor, perfect amount of brininess. We ended the night with another walk on the prom. Such a great holiday!
