Day 19: July 5, 2012
I
haven’t written in a few days so unfortunately this might be a little difficult
to remember everything that happen with great detail, but I took notes along
the way so we will see how it goes. After an amazing finale in Cork,
celebrating the 4th of July and finding Crane Lane (an
awesome pub we wished we found before then), we were about to head to some of
Ireland’s most recognizable locations.
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| The waterfall in Killarney Natl. Park |
We
left Cork around 9:30, our usual departure time, and headed north two hours to
Killarney National Park. We stopped at this absolutely amazing waterfall! It
was only about two hundred meters up a little trail to get there. Once we found
the waterfall a few of us decided what better to check it out than goin ‘splorin
(exploring)! A few more adventurous people took their shoes of and climbed up
close and got into a couple of the little pools. I was one of the ones who
stayed behind. As my past accidents come flying through my memory, I realized
that I am far too injury prone to be taking any chances while out of the
country. The waterfall was gorgeous and I really enjoyed it! After the
waterfall we headed over to Rosse Castle which is located on one of the lakes
in Killarney. We took a boat ride from the castle to a little island in the
middle of the lake where there were the ruins of a monastery built in the 7th
century! Of course we did a little more ‘splorin on the island. This time it
was nothing too crazy, just a few trails. The history we have seen in Ireland so
far is unbelievable. It’s crazy to think how so many places here have been
around so much longer than the United States has been a country.
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| View of the Cliffs of Moher. |
After
Killarney we headed another two hours up to Doolin. Doolin is known as having
the best traditional Irish music in all of Ireland. It’s located near the
Cliffs of Moher and the Aran Islands are a short thirty minute boat ride out of
the pier. We arrived close to dinner time at the Doolin Activity Lodge, a nice
hotel type set up. The group split up and some of us headed to O’Connor’s, one
of the only three pubs in the town. On our short walk to the pub we were
surrounded by beautiful green pastures and small thatched roofed homes. I know
I have said this many times, but the food here is absolutely spectacular! I had
seafood chowder with thick chunks of clam, mussels, and salmon in it and then I
also got the Salmon as a main dish. It was as if I had eaten an entire salmon
for dinner, but I completely loved it! After dinner we headed down to the pier
where we did even more ‘splorin all along the rocky coast around the bay. We
could see the Cliffs of Moher and the Aran Islands off in the distance which
was really cool. We also found a local legend, Dusty the Doolin Dolphin who
hangs out by the pier right at the edge of town. Later we headed back to
O’Connor’s to experience some brilliant tradition Irish music!
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