Day two

We were up bright and early the next morning, in fact too early for most people. Tamara and I decided to go for a wander around downtown Killarney to kill some time. Along the way we ran into Jen, whom we'd met the night before. Most people were nursing their first hangover of the tour, and Jen was out for a run! Insanity. We told her to do a lap for us and sent her on her way, before making our way back to the hostel for breakfast.

Once we got going for the day, our first stop was just down the road a little. We got dropped off at Killarney National Park, for a ride around the park in a horse drawn jaunting car. Somehow or other our little group that had formed the night before ended up in the same cart, to be driven by - I kid you not - Tom and Jerry. We were the last of the jaunting cars to depart, so we were following all of the others. I think some of the others might have wished we were further behind! Our driver was hilarious, he was telling jokes like being a comedian was his profession and he drove the cart for fun. Consequently, we were roaring with laughter the whole time - definitely a good way to spend a morning. Another highlight was seeing a stag. The park is home to Ireland's only remaining wild herd of red deer, and this one stag came out to say hello. Sure, Jerry told us he'd arranged it especially for us, and that his name was Seamus - even better as far as we were concerned!

Ross Castle, Killarney National Park.

Seamus!

Tom and Jerry.

Eventually we left the park, bellies and ribs aching from laughing so much. We also departed Killarney, on our way to the Dingle Peninsula. We did stop at the top of the hill overlooking Killarney for a bit of a frolick, and then it was back on the bus, headed for the beach. Now, I say beach, but in my head I'm denying that it was any such thing! First of all, we pulled up on the side of a cliff, and had to negotiate our way down to the sand in a stiff wind, climbing down the rocks, in pluggers. Not an easy feat. Why we did it, I'm still not sure! The water was a loooooooong way out, and it was freezing. Yes, it was May, but that meant nothing! It was ridiculously cold, given that the sun was shining and it was Spring, but it was worth it for a good laugh with the girls.

Looking back towards Killarney.

After imitating some kind of monkey and climbing back up the cliff, we headed for our lunch stop - the town of Dingle. The Dingle Peninsula is the most westerly point in Ireland, and indeed in Europe. It's a seaside town in a gorgeous location, and is also a Gaelic speaking town. Luckily for us though, being a tourist town, they also speak English! The town is also famous for its resident dolphin, Fungi, who comes in regularly to meet and greet the locals and tourists alike. There is a bronze statue of Fungi in the town, which of course we had to have photos taken with. The other famous place in Dingle is Foxy John's, a combination hardware store and pub. Apparently it's a hardware store by day, pub by night - every man's dream!


After fish and chips for lunch in Dingle, we headed along a coastal road around Slea Head. There were stunning views, and we even hopped out of bus to walk part of the way. This stroll included various stops for photos, including a few ridiculous ones the likes of which won't be posted here. Eventually we made it to the ruins of an old church, however I don't remember the details of this as I broke my own golden rule and forgot to take a photo of the sign. My bad.



Eventually we carried on a little further, arriving in the small village of Annascaul, where we were to spend the night in a fluorescent green hostel called the Randy Leprachaun. We took a moment to discover that the shower in our room didn't work, before heading into the bar for dinner and a rowdy night of tunes, Guiness, pool, dancing and karaoke. There were also some jaeger-bombs involved, but I think those drinking them would really prefer to forget... It was only our second night away, but we carried on until we were kicked out of the pub - again!