Sunday 20^th July                       LISMORE  -  MALLOW  -  MUCKROSS  -  KENMARE

It’s been yet another travel day here in Ireland, and a very wet one (unfortunately the Met got it right.) Jo was up bright and early, as she wanted to go for a walk before we left Lismore. She was gone for well over an hour, and thoroughly wet when she returned, but had enjoyed doing Lady Louisa’s walk by the river across from the castle.

                                                         Lady Louisa's Walk

                                                                Lismore Castle

Lex and I had breakfast and slowly got ourselves organised, and once she returned, we were all ready to go by a bit after nine. We headed west along the N72 towards Kenmare, our destination for the day. It was raining quite heavily at times; there was a yellow weather warning out for the south-west, but we were lucky with mostly only light rainfall for most of the trip.

Everywhere we went, we saw red and white flags on cars, buildings and shops – the 2025 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Final was held this afternoon, and Cork (the red and white team) were in it for the first time in over 20 years. They were playing Tipperary (green and gold.) The level of enthusiasm for it makes the State of Origin look like a year 7 Friday afternoon game! It posed some problems for Lex and I, as my ancestors come from Tipperary, his from Cork, so we are a mixed marriage. In the end, I’m glad to relate, Tipp absolutely smashed them, so they reign supreme.

                                              We saw this display for the Cork Rebels yesterday!
At Mallow, we pulled up for morning tea, which was provided by the Hibernian Hotel. When in Mallow, I’d be more than happy to stay there, as it’s a lovely hotel with an excellent dining area, and we had scones and pastries there, so everyone was happy. We had a bit of a walk along the street; Mallow is a nice little town.

                                                                     Hotel Hibernian
After this we headed off again into the rain. Because stopping to sight-see along the way was a bit damp, we decided that we would head for Muckross House, near Killarney. We reached there around midday. There were so many other cars there; it’s obviously a popular destination on a rainy Sunday! We bought tickets for both the house and the old farms, and because we are all old (over 60) got a nice discount.

                                 Lex and I in the manner to which we'd like to become accustomed
Muckross House was built in the mid-1800s in the Tudor style by English aristocrats who were rich Irish landowners. In fact, in 1861, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert and some of their children came to visit, and the rooms are kept as they were at the time. The house had several other owners until the 1930s, when Maude Bourn Vincent died (only in her 40s), and her heartbroken parents gifted the house and land to the people of Ireland. It became their first National Park. We loved the house, and got to see so many rooms from the grand living and dining areas to Queen Victoria’s suite, the nursery and the servants’ quarters. It was rather like Downton Abbey. The original owners were obviously fond of shooting, because the main living rooms had walls full of their poor victims.

                                                                Poor animals!

                                                   Albert and Victoria slept here

                                                          Grand dining room

After we’d finished, Jo and I were hungry, so made our way to the restaurant to wait for Lex there (it was still raining). We were hungry, so had lunch, and he joined us soon after. After lunch, we headed over to the farm. By now it was pouring down, so our enthusiasm levels were a bit low, as we’d all cleverly packed our waterproof pants, and I’d also packed my crocs boots. Bother. Anyway, we’d paid, so we found the farm area. The young bloke offered us a bus ride to the first displays, so I said yes please! (Still pouring down. My shoes were wet.) The bus dropped us off up the hill at the first little farmstead, and we walked from there. They had 4 farmhouses; starting from a very small little old one, right up to the grand farm manager’s house. They had the peat fireplaces going, and had plates of soda bread cooked on them, served with freshly churned butter for us to try. It was really interesting to see how our ancestors probably lived. They also had animals – pigs, chooks, goats, sheep, Irish Wolfhounds, and a newborn baby donkey who was soooo cute! By about 4, we realised we’d better get going, so we caught the bus back to the entrance (still raining), stripped off our wet gear and climbed with a great deal of relief into the car!

                               Old farmhouse. The thatched bit on the right is the chook house!

                                        Jo channelling her Irish roots with a healthy crop of potatoes!

                                                                Pig pen

                                                          Mother and baby donkeys

                                                             Irish wolfhounds

It was a 40 minute drive to Kenmare, along the winding roads of the Ring of Kerry, and some absolutely stunning scenery, despite the rain. We stopped several times to take photos and ooh and aah! At Kenmare, we stopped at the Aldi for groceries for 4 nights, then navigated our way to our house, Mountain View, up in the hills. It certainly has mountain views! It’s probably over 100 years old, and is a very comfy house. We are all settled in and have had a lovely dinner.

                                               One of the stops on the Ring of Kerry

                                               Mountain View, our new home for 4 nights
The rain is continuing, but not as heavy, so we are really hoping it will ease off for some sightseeing tomorrow!