July 25 Killarney, Ireland

After breakfast, we headed off at 8:00 am for a trip around the Ring of Kerry.  But first was a stop at a very nice gift shop, which was a first for the trip.  They had lovely things and gave everyone a small Irish Coffee while they shopped.  There was even a conveniently located room with comfy sofas for those who weren't shopping.

Then it as was off for The Ring of Kerry, which is a drive in a big loop around the region with spectacular views of the sea, the mountains and the charming villages in the southwestern part of the country.  We made a few comfort and/or photo stops along the way.  At Sneem we stopped for lunch and an opportunity was made to eat in the home of residents, William and Rita.  They were very sweet and very proud to show pictures of the visits made by Maureen O'Hara to their home a few times.  I didn't quite get why she came there, family friends from the old days or something, but it was a real source of pride.  They served sandwiches and home made scones and jam and even a proprietary tea they have made especially for them.  We were invited to have a "snoop around" their home, but I don't think anyone took them up on it.

Just before returning to our hotel in Killarney we stopped for a tour of Muckross House and Gardens - a little like Highclere Castle, the actual house of Downton Abbey.  One of their claims to fame is that in 1861 Queen Victoria spent two nights.  She travelled with about 100 people and even her own bed.  The owners spent a fortune in preparations in expectation that they would be given titles and be reimbursed for expenses.  Unfortunately, Prince Albert died a few months later and Victoria went into a deep depression meaning the reimbursements and titles never came through.

Back in Killarney we visited the public gardens across the street from the hotel and had dinner in town.