Ireland 2007 II

On the "Ring of Kerry" drive on the Iveragh Peninsula. Note the tractor, middle right, taking a roll of hay to wherever one takes hay. All the farm houses dotted about . . . to me it must ...

2009-02-12T18:37:15Z

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On the "Ring of Kerry" drive on the Iveragh Peninsula. Note the tractor, middle right, taking a roll of hay to wherever one takes hay. All the farm houses dotted about . . . to me it must ...

Our rental car. If you go to Ireland, make sure you get an automatic. You have enough to remember being on the left side of the road (particularly worrisome at intersections and roundabout ...

2009-02-12T18:34:51Z

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Our rental car. If you go to Ireland, make sure you get an automatic. You have enough to remember being on the left side of the road (particularly worrisome at intersections and roundabout ...

Okay we found Kelly's bar in Cobh and had to find an Erin something somewhere to keep it fair. We found this place in Kenmare.

2009-02-12T18:34:38Z

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Okay we found Kelly's bar in Cobh and had to find an Erin something somewhere to keep it fair. We found this place in Kenmare.

A real delightful find near Glengarriff on the Beara Peninsula (wish to spend more time there the next trip). This was a salmon spawning stream, fishing prohibited as they try to bring back ...

2009-02-12T18:36:02Z

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A real delightful find near Glengarriff on the Beara Peninsula (wish to spend more time there the next trip). This was a salmon spawning stream, fishing prohibited as they try to bring back ...

More of the salmon spawning stream in Glengarriff, Beara Peninsula, Ireland April 2007.

2009-02-12T18:34:47Z

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More of the salmon spawning stream in Glengarriff, Beara Peninsula, Ireland April 2007.

Look carefully in top center of the stream and you will see a mallard duck pair, the wife dutifully following 10 quacks behind the male. Pull up the "original size" photo to see them.

2009-02-12T18:36:56Z

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Look carefully in top center of the stream and you will see a mallard duck pair, the wife dutifully following 10 quacks behind the male. Pull up the "original size" photo to see them.

The male mallard . . . somewhat unclear as I had to use the digital zoom with it resulting lack of clarity.

2009-02-12T18:33:19Z

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The male mallard . . . somewhat unclear as I had to use the digital zoom with it resulting lack of clarity.

The female mallard following her man.

2009-02-12T18:37:28Z

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The female mallard following her man.

Kinsale harbour from Charles Fort. Fort James was just across the harbour, to the left in the photo and looked down upon the town, keeping those pesky Irish in check.

2009-02-12T18:37:17Z

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Kinsale harbour from Charles Fort. Fort James was just across the harbour, to the left in the photo and looked down upon the town, keeping those pesky Irish in check.

The commandant's house at Charles Fort in Kinsale, County Cork, Ireland. It had displays with details of British army life in the 1600's. Soldiers joined FOR LIFE. Only 6% were allowed to ...

2009-02-12T18:35:19Z

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The commandant's house at Charles Fort in Kinsale, County Cork, Ireland. It had displays with details of British army life in the 1600's. Soldiers joined FOR LIFE. Only 6% were allowed to ...

Our little car beside the bus full of Japanese tourist who shared our B&B with us in Kinsale.

2009-02-12T18:34:39Z

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Our little car beside the bus full of Japanese tourist who shared our B&B with us in Kinsale.

Some of the figures that adorned the roof of St. Coleman's cathedral in Cobh. Note the guy on the right has a saw, probably the representative of the carpenters who worked on the building f ...

2009-02-12T18:35:18Z

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Some of the figures that adorned the roof of St. Coleman's cathedral in Cobh. Note the guy on the right has a saw, probably the representative of the carpenters who worked on the building f ...

These rather foreboding buildings at the harbour in Cobh are former British military buildings, long abandoned. You may be able to see the vegetation growing on the roof on the building on ...

2009-02-12T18:35:49Z

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These rather foreboding buildings at the harbour in Cobh are former British military buildings, long abandoned. You may be able to see the vegetation growing on the roof on the building on ...

A Cork harbour (Cobh) pilot leaving the ship he has been piloting out of Cork harbour. Cobh sits at the entrance to Cork harbour.

2009-02-12T18:35:12Z

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A Cork harbour (Cobh) pilot leaving the ship he has been piloting out of Cork harbour. Cobh sits at the entrance to Cork harbour.

The view from the backyard of our B&B in Cashel. This is the Hore Abbey.

2009-02-12T18:34:30Z

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The view from the backyard of our B&B in Cashel. This is the Hore Abbey.

James McGarth, our guide for the Rock of Cashel tour, tells us about the Chancel Choir area. This was the living quarters and practice room for the Cathedral's Chancel Choir. Apparently th ...

2009-02-12T18:36:43Z

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James McGarth, our guide for the Rock of Cashel tour, tells us about the Chancel Choir area. This was the living quarters and practice room for the Cathedral's Chancel Choir. Apparently th ...

A tapestry in the Chancle Choir area of the Rock of Cashel. Our guide told us that all tapestries of the time included intentional mistakes representing the imperfection of man. Apparentl ...

2009-02-12T18:35:14Z

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A tapestry in the Chancle Choir area of the Rock of Cashel. Our guide told us that all tapestries of the time included intentional mistakes representing the imperfection of man. Apparentl ...

The view to the Rock of Cashel from the backyard of our B&B.

2009-02-12T18:36:16Z

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The view to the Rock of Cashel from the backyard of our B&B.

A side area of the cathedral at the Rock of Cashel with some random saints depicted. Imagine that this was carved over 800 years ago.

2009-02-12T18:34:11Z

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A side area of the cathedral at the Rock of Cashel with some random saints depicted. Imagine that this was carved over 800 years ago.

The view from the 3rd floor of the Nicholas Mosse Pottery factory in Bennettsbridge, Ireland, near Kilkenny. Cathy really likes this (expensive) sponge painted pottery. The factory is in a ...

2009-02-12T18:35:24Z

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The view from the 3rd floor of the Nicholas Mosse Pottery factory in Bennettsbridge, Ireland, near Kilkenny. Cathy really likes this (expensive) sponge painted pottery. The factory is in a ...

Another example of the wonderful things that can happen to you in Ireland. Just up the street from Nicholas Mosse Pottery was the workshop of furniture maker Keith Mosse. He made this beau ...

2009-02-12T18:35:17Z

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Another example of the wonderful things that can happen to you in Ireland. Just up the street from Nicholas Mosse Pottery was the workshop of furniture maker Keith Mosse. He made this beau ...

Here is Keith and his lovely wife. We learned that they have two children about the same age as ours. Their children live in Australia where Keith and his wife lived for 12 years. Keith i ...

2009-02-12T18:03:42Z

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Here is Keith and his lovely wife. We learned that they have two children about the same age as ours. Their children live in Australia where Keith and his wife lived for 12 years. Keith i ...

Just one of Cathy's "art shots" of flowers in the kitchen garden at the Portumna Castle.

2009-02-12T18:36:34Z

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Just one of Cathy's "art shots" of flowers in the kitchen garden at the Portumna Castle.

More beautiful flowers in the kitchen garden at Portumna Castle.

2009-02-12T18:34:59Z

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More beautiful flowers in the kitchen garden at Portumna Castle.

From Portumna we drove to Loughrea, a pleasant little town located on, yes, Lough Rea. (You have probably guessed by now that lough means lake in Irish.) The water was so clear it was if i ...

2009-02-12T18:34:21Z

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From Portumna we drove to Loughrea, a pleasant little town located on, yes, Lough Rea. (You have probably guessed by now that lough means lake in Irish.) The water was so clear it was if i ...

As I said earlier, driving in Ireland is challenge enough without sharing the road with houses! I often had difficulty with a tiny rental, imagine driving a truck with a house on the back!

2009-02-12T18:34:32Z

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As I said earlier, driving in Ireland is challenge enough without sharing the road with houses! I often had difficulty with a tiny rental, imagine driving a truck with a house on the back!

More pretty flowers in the kitchen garden of Portumna Castle.

2009-02-12T18:35:55Z

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More pretty flowers in the kitchen garden of Portumna Castle.

Cathy and I each had a digital and did some "dualing cameras". She got the best shot of the back of my head, hands down.

2009-02-12T18:32:27Z

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Cathy and I each had a digital and did some "dualing cameras". She got the best shot of the back of my head, hands down.

More on the Ring of Kerry. Magical.

2009-02-12T18:30:34Z

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More on the Ring of Kerry. Magical.

Guess who doesn't play the piano. If you guessed Cathy, you win.

2009-02-12T18:31:41Z

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Guess who doesn't play the piano. If you guessed Cathy, you win.

A huge pine tree at the rear of the Cahernane House Hotel . . . growing out of a rock! How does it do that?

2009-02-12T18:27:55Z

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A huge pine tree at the rear of the Cahernane House Hotel . . . growing out of a rock! How does it do that?

On the Ring of Kerry.

2009-02-12T18:32:11Z

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On the Ring of Kerry.

The entrance drive to the Cahernane House Hotel. Can you only imagine how lovely this would be with the trees in full leaf?

2009-02-12T18:30:23Z

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The entrance drive to the Cahernane House Hotel. Can you only imagine how lovely this would be with the trees in full leaf?

The rear courtyard of the Cahernane House Hotel. Just beyond the stand of tree in the distance is Lough Leane.

2009-02-12T18:30:56Z

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The rear courtyard of the Cahernane House Hotel. Just beyond the stand of tree in the distance is Lough Leane.

The music room at the Cahernane House Hotel. A warming fire was going in the fireplace the entire time we were there.

2009-02-12T18:32:12Z

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The music room at the Cahernane House Hotel. A warming fire was going in the fireplace the entire time we were there.

This was the parlor area of our Cahernane room. I think we about to watch "Irish Step Dancing with the Stars" on one of the three channels. I am not kidding.

2009-02-12T18:31:37Z

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This was the parlor area of our Cahernane room. I think we about to watch "Irish Step Dancing with the Stars" on one of the three channels. I am not kidding.

Bob checking out of the Cahernane. Always check your bill. We were overcharged 110 Euros, nearly $150! An honest mistake by the ditzy clerk. Yeah, they're everywhere.

2009-02-12T18:32:03Z

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Bob checking out of the Cahernane. Always check your bill. We were overcharged 110 Euros, nearly $150! An honest mistake by the ditzy clerk. Yeah, they're everywhere.

Just a random beautiful lake in the Killarney National Park.

2009-02-12T18:32:28Z

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Just a random beautiful lake in the Killarney National Park.

Again, the joys of wandering off the planned route. We're on the N71 between Bantry and Skibbereen and see the sign to Ballydehob. I see it only a 1/2 mile or so to the right, it's near lu ...

2009-02-12T18:28:59Z

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Again, the joys of wandering off the planned route. We're on the N71 between Bantry and Skibbereen and see the sign to Ballydehob. I see it only a 1/2 mile or so to the right, it's near lu ...

Ireland is washed by the Gulf Stream thus the climate is more moderate than England and, yes, palm trees grow there.

2009-02-12T18:30:30Z

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Ireland is washed by the Gulf Stream thus the climate is more moderate than England and, yes, palm trees grow there.

Okay, get your perspective hat on. This tunnel is 12 feet tall. Couldn't be more than 9 feet wide.

2009-02-12T18:30:11Z

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Okay, get your perspective hat on. This tunnel is 12 feet tall. Couldn't be more than 9 feet wide.

Driving in Ireland. Okay, M roads are like interstates or close. N roads are major national highways between big towns. R roads are the major roads between smaller places. This is an N r ...

2009-02-12T18:31:55Z

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Driving in Ireland. Okay, M roads are like interstates or close. N roads are major national highways between big towns. R roads are the major roads between smaller places. This is an N r ...

Notice the road curves on the other side of the tunnel . . . in other words, you couldn't see if anything was coming!

2009-02-12T18:31:49Z

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Notice the road curves on the other side of the tunnel . . . in other words, you couldn't see if anything was coming!

A seafood restaurant in Kinsale where we ate. Recommended by our B&B hosts.

2009-02-12T18:31:46Z

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A seafood restaurant in Kinsale where we ate. Recommended by our B&B hosts.

It seems quite important in the modern Irish home that it have dormers, preferably three. Our B&B in Kinsale, the Waterside, was having three dormers added, much to the delight of our hosts ...

2009-02-12T18:29:19Z

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It seems quite important in the modern Irish home that it have dormers, preferably three. Our B&B in Kinsale, the Waterside, was having three dormers added, much to the delight of our hosts ...

Cahir village, home to the Cahir Castle as viewed from atop the castle. The River Suir flows on either side of the castle.

2009-02-12T18:31:37Z

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Cahir village, home to the Cahir Castle as viewed from atop the castle. The River Suir flows on either side of the castle.

Kinsale Harbour.

2009-02-12T18:31:06Z

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Kinsale Harbour.

Another view of St. Coleman's from the quayside in Cobh.

2009-02-12T18:27:42Z

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Another view of St. Coleman's from the quayside in Cobh.

Cobh at quayside. Most of these buildings were lodgings for the horde of emigres who left Ireland 1845 to 1935.

2009-02-12T18:27:38Z

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Cobh at quayside. Most of these buildings were lodgings for the horde of emigres who left Ireland 1845 to 1935.

The altar wall in the cathedral at the Rock of Cashel.

2009-02-12T18:30:07Z

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The altar wall in the cathedral at the Rock of Cashel.

The Thosel in Kilkenny built in 1761 as the town marketplace and still in use as the seat of the city government.

2009-02-12T18:30:30Z

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The Thosel in Kilkenny built in 1761 as the town marketplace and still in use as the seat of the city government.

The great hall in the Cahir Castle.

2009-02-12T18:28:47Z

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The great hall in the Cahir Castle.

This was the fireplace in the Chancel Choir quarters at the Rock of Cashel. The inscription translated reads "E.S. and E.H. built this". Nice to see people had pride in their work in the m ...

2009-02-12T18:30:32Z

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This was the fireplace in the Chancel Choir quarters at the Rock of Cashel. The inscription translated reads "E.S. and E.H. built this". Nice to see people had pride in their work in the m ...

Bob and Cathy at Kilkenny Castle. Photo taken by a nice family from Pennsylvania, Mom, Dad and two daughters. One daughter was studying at the University of Cork for six months and about t ...

2009-02-12T18:29:03Z

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Bob and Cathy at Kilkenny Castle. Photo taken by a nice family from Pennsylvania, Mom, Dad and two daughters. One daughter was studying at the University of Cork for six months and about t ...

The view from the ramparts of Cahir Castle to the River Suir. The famous Heritage Site, Swiss Cottage, is in Cahir but was closed for renovations. Next trip.

2009-02-12T18:29:47Z

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The view from the ramparts of Cahir Castle to the River Suir. The famous Heritage Site, Swiss Cottage, is in Cahir but was closed for renovations. Next trip.

Kilkenny Castle, seat of the Butler family, Earls of Ormonde. The last Earl to live in the Castle died without an heir in 1935 so the Earldom passed to his nephew. The new Earl never lived ...

2009-02-12T18:27:52Z

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Kilkenny Castle, seat of the Butler family, Earls of Ormonde. The last Earl to live in the Castle died without an heir in 1935 so the Earldom passed to his nephew. The new Earl never lived ...

The River Nore as it passes Kilkenny Castle. Interesting to note is that the view in the direction I was looking was to the car park of the Dunnes Store, the Irish equivalent of a WalMart.

2009-02-12T18:28:46Z

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The River Nore as it passes Kilkenny Castle. Interesting to note is that the view in the direction I was looking was to the car park of the Dunnes Store, the Irish equivalent of a WalMart.

The River Fergus behind our B&B in Ennis. This was a fast flowing river, with trout jumping, and across was a field full of grazing cattle, mooing, pissing and shitting in an Irish agricult ...

2009-02-12T18:27:42Z

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The River Fergus behind our B&B in Ennis. This was a fast flowing river, with trout jumping, and across was a field full of grazing cattle, mooing, pissing and shitting in an Irish agricult ...

Loug Derg somewhere near Nenagh, no real place name here. This is just a portion of the boats here. With gas at $6.00 a gallon, can't imagine how much it costs to operate these babies! Th ...

2009-02-12T18:31:22Z

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Loug Derg somewhere near Nenagh, no real place name here. This is just a portion of the boats here. With gas at $6.00 a gallon, can't imagine how much it costs to operate these babies! Th ...

Cathy loves ladybugs. Well who doesn't? Can't recall whether this was my "art shot" or hers in our lively photo competition.

2009-02-12T18:29:11Z

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Cathy loves ladybugs. Well who doesn't? Can't recall whether this was my "art shot" or hers in our lively photo competition.

I will take credit for this art shot of flowers in the kitchen garden of Portumna Castle. Unless Cathy took the picture, in which case I will still take the credit. I'm writing the credits ...

2009-02-12T18:28:33Z

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I will take credit for this art shot of flowers in the kitchen garden of Portumna Castle. Unless Cathy took the picture, in which case I will still take the credit. I'm writing the credits ...

Reminds me of Disney's "Fantasia" with the singing buttercups. At least I think that's what it reminds me of . . . did buttercups sing in another movie?

2009-02-12T18:30:27Z

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Reminds me of Disney's "Fantasia" with the singing buttercups. At least I think that's what it reminds me of . . . did buttercups sing in another movie?

Ennis is for some reason one of our favorite places and this street is probably one of the reasons. A medieval Irish street that remains vibrant and the core of the city to this day. What ...

2009-02-12T18:29:05Z

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Ennis is for some reason one of our favorite places and this street is probably one of the reasons. A medieval Irish street that remains vibrant and the core of the city to this day. What ...

In back of our B&B in Ennis was the Fergus River and this wonderful deck built literally over the river. Fast flowing with trout jumping and the bovine reality show just across, I could sit ...

2009-02-12T18:29:46Z

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In back of our B&B in Ennis was the Fergus River and this wonderful deck built literally over the river. Fast flowing with trout jumping and the bovine reality show just across, I could sit ...