The Dingle Dangle Tango

 

After a bit of difficulty sorting out how to operate the showers, (plumbing s always a challenge overseas) we were all cleaned up and ready to roll when Trudy picked us up this morning.  In planning the trip, we decided to bring the crew out to the Dingle peninsula  and take the Wild Atlantic route rather than the more common Ring of Kerry.  The Dingle peninsula is less crowded and really provides more of a feel for the “real” Ireland.  

This part of Ireland has been featured in many movies including Ryan’s Daughter, Far & Away (where Tom Cruise completely butchered the Irish accent) and Star Wars.  Star Wars fans travel here to check out the stone “bee hives” and Skellig Island.  

This time of year it is two way traffic on the road which in places is barely wide enough for one car.  Having an expert local driver really adds an entertaining dimension and takes all the stress out of it as we’re just along for the ride.  In a few spots obvious tourist drivers did not understand the protocols on when to give way.  It was great listening to Trudy discuss the bad drivers with the driver of one of the large buses. The conversation really highlights the Irish craic- dry wit, sense of humor.

Trudy: Did you pass those two in the camper?

           Bus Driver:  Oh yes.  Ignorant as piss they are.  They’re just eejits.  You know there have to be two eejits born every day so if one of them dies you still have one.

One of Trudy’s friends is a multi-generational sheep farmer whose farm is perched on the edge of the Dingle peninsula.  The farmer makes certain to tell everyone not to put their fingers in the lambs mouth, not to hold them in the rear and to make certain to wash your hands with soap and water after handling them.  You would think those instructions wouldn’t be necessary but then again based on the some of the driving we saw I think he’s learned to spell things out.  You can pick up the baby lambs, help feed them and also checkout the stone beehives.  Ida was definitely very leery about getting in the pen with the lambs until she spotted a small black one that looked a lot like her old dog Oscar.  Feeding time is crazy and the little ones all fight to get at the bottle.  

The weather was perfect for a bit of a hike thru the sheep’s grazing area to the top of a hill where the views to Skellig and the coasts were spectacular.  Dodging the sheep’s manure was a bit challenging but we were grateful that the locals had installed “stairs” which made getting over the stone walls much easier. You wouldn’t think you’d need big warning signs about not falling over the cliff but clearly there are enough eejits to warrant the signage.

After the narrow roads, sheep action and hiking, Trudy thought maybe a stop for a pint would be in order. Kruger’s Bar is the western most pub in Ireland.  We stopped in and had to try the Dingle gin mojito and check out the memorabilia.  JFK is still the man to talk about here.  There were also a lot of pictures from Tom Cruise’s time here when filming Far & Away though the majority of those pictures didn’t feature Tom or Nicole.  Most were from all the locals who were extras in the film.

We wrapped up the afternoon with a stop at John Long’s Pub for lunch and more Dingle gin.  Then walked around Dingle town center to check out the shops and pick up a few needed supplies before heading back to the house for a much needed nap.  

Trudy is coming back to pick us up about 6:45 and will drop us off in town for the night’s activity.  Wisely she heads to her own accommodation and recommends having the bartender arrange for transport when the pubs close. Paula has planned the evening pub crawl to get some singing in: The Dingle Inn (also for Irish dancing here), Geaney’s,  Foxy John’s, Dick Mack’s, O’Sullivan’s and likely a few others. We’re hooking up with friends from KC, Sheri McDonough King and her husband Rob for a final Irish coffee before heading back to the cottage.