We loved the donkeys - especially the little brown baby...she was only 2 weeks old when we were there!

Day 2
Brilliant sunshine day!!! Walked a few blocks to Blarney Woolen Mills. GD did much shopping for friends, classmates, teacher, family etc

B&B host suggested "Maplin" an electronics store for GPS help. In shopping center on way to Fota. No UK SD cards so purchased a Garnin Nuvi with lifetime updates (just might use it here a few, or many more times!)

Life on the road is much better now!

Fota wildlife park a huge hit, over 3 hours spent!

A few more miles to Cobh. Visited the harbor and dock area

On toward Kinsale. Charles Fort another great stop. She likes old buildings!

Back to Blarney for 6:30 Mass

Back to Muskerry Arms for evening meal

2nd night at White House B&B
Dan

-- Edited by murphy on Saturday 4th of October 2014 03:40:16 PM

Day 3 Prince August Toy Soldier Factory. (Near Macroom) Casted and painted 2 toys. 3 hours WELL spent on a showery Sunday. Next Gougane Berra. 90 min walking around Forrest park. Rain storm is building Brief rainy stop at Carriganass Castle in Kealkill. Casey's hotel Glegarriff. Blustery rainy night. 60+K winds Reading, journal, and math takes up the biggest share of our evenings. No time for pubs and music for Papa However, she's worth it!!!! Dan

Day 4
Off and on showers all day...not too miserable as they were short lived!
First ferry to Garnish Island. Beautiful!
Drove around Mizen Head Peninsula. Took the bridge and numerous steps out to the light house
Drove around Sheep's Head Peninsula and to the signal light also. Very tiny roads on North side returning to Glengarriff. Fun day but lots of driving!
Yummy dinner at Caseys Hotel Restaurant
Dan

Sounds like you and GD are having a Great Time -- despite the weather!   

A marginal weather day during the off season is 1000 times better, than the BEST day at work! Dan

Day 6 Nature day! Deros Tour. Rainy Boat trip to Lord Brandon's cottage. Warm up with Irish Coffee! Rainy Pony Trap ride to Kate Kearney's cottage. Warm up with Irish Coffee (do you see a pattern here ?). Stunning!!!! No words to describe what we saw today! Brief glimpses of what it would be like to be here on a sunny warm day.....Can't believe we've been here so often and missed out on this.... Next; Killarney book store book shopping, Fish and Chips at Quinlans, home made ice cream at Murphy's Ice Cream and GD was allowed to sit in with us at Murphy's Bar for 1 hour of trad music!!!! Life is good here in Killarney! Dan

Dan... Ireland,,,, you slept in till heading for 9.. ish.

How was breakfast at Ballyseede Castle? Hoping for less rain.

Day 8 Departed Ballyseede and took the leisure drive towards Doolin. Took Tarbert Ferry. Checked in to Doolin hostel at 2. Went on the 3pm boat ride from Doolin Pier. (GD and Papa pretty close to being sea sick.) People inside cabin WERE and glad we were out in fresh air. Awesome way to see the cliffs. O'Conners pub for dinner and 1 hour of Trad music. Hostel was ok. More details about it on trip report layer! Dan

Day 10
Scenic drive on Sky Road. Connemara National Park Visitors Center. Perfect weather for a trek to the top of Diamond Hill (appr 1460 feet high). GD and DW made it about half way up. Back to Clifden for a much needed pint! & dinner at Guy's
Dan

Sounds lovely and you finally got some good weather. How nice that you got to meet up with Tony for a cuppa.

Dan, Hope you all have a safe journey home. It will be a trip to remember for you and your whole family. Especially your GD.

Day 14: uneventful trip home. Would probably try to avoid London next time. However we did like the long first leg from West coast to Europe continent followed by the short hop to Ireland. The SEA-Iceland-DUB route might be tempting in the future.....yes....already thinking about the next time!
Dan