Looking forward to reading more. Enjoy the ROK!

Checking in: ROK rocks! My cousin KC wanted to help drive so we put him on as a 2nd driver. After 2 partial days of me running shotgun in the pax seat, starting to get easier (for me! He's doing great!) Now I know why DW was so uptight with my driving from time to time! Lol! Dingle peninsula today. Big bonus: food festival in Dingle town! 70 local food venders sampling out their wares with purchased token tickets. Awesome seafood. (And lamb sliders!) Mass at Dromtarriff (St Johns) near Millstreet Sun 10:30 AM. Followed by a trip to cemetery and ancestral farmland near Banteer. Dan

It was awesome. Wanted to try EVERYTHIG seafood!! However, we did Connor Pass and the Slea Head first and dropped into Dingle about 4pm. The festival was scheduled 1-6. So, unfortunately, all the chowder venues were sold out. Tried a crab and monk fish pie and a seafood pie that were yummy. And a prawn bisque that was great. Murphys ice cream was offering champagne/berry cone or cup for their token promotion. However, I HAD to try the Carmelized brown bread ice cream. Dan

I can't imagine it was tougher than the Black Valley / Gap of Dunloe!        

Dan -- If you park that Renault on the third level of the Parking Garage next to Jurys Inn at the end of Quay Street in Galway, We'll have to anoint you as the Irish Chauffeur!  Depositing a Mercedes Vito there (and safely removing it!) in 2002 is what earned me MY moniker.    

Judy, The van on Conor did ok....driver questionable!!! Went up to top of Conner from the south, parked for photos between rain showers then retraced our route. I have read that it might be more of a challenge coming up the north side (from Tralee). Bob, Galway was a bugger parking a small car, I would not want to try a big van. Our Hotel/Apartment had an underground parking garage and they validated the pass every time we drove out. The parking garage was very difficult for a larger vehicle. Got in late one evening after "Celtic Steps The Show" and we had to make a supreme effort to get parked due to narrow short spots and lots of 1 foot square support posts here and there in the garage. However, It WAS really nice to be able to load/unload inside, and out of the weather every time. Overall location 2nd to none for Killarney down town and apartment was super spacious for 3 people each, and would have been really comfortable for up to 5 adults/unit. Michele, there was a huge crowd in Dingle, being a festival, a Sat, and killer nice weather. In Tullamore tonight (did the Whiskey taste!) then heading to Killbeggan for the first tour in the AM, and then on to DUB for a noon pickup of our Oregon friends. Will also pick up our Scotland friend, Betty at the bus station (or nearby pub) in Dundalk for a 4 night stay. We are "maxing-out-the-fun-meter" The saga continues..... Dan

Dan -- Did you stay at Park Place Apartments?  We had a two bedroom there in June of 2014.  Besides the parking being a BIT tight, it WAS free -- and the location was really handy.

When we checked into the Jurys in Galway, the desk clerk couldn't believe that I had parked the Vito.  He told my traveling companions that they all owned me free drinks for the accomplishment, as he found parking his Mazda Protégé there unnerving!   

Judy -- I've driven the Black Valley / Gap of Dunloe from near Sneem to Kate Kearney's about four times now, but never in a 9 passenger van, as Dan did.  The narrow stretch of road from the over-look on Connor Pass to the pull-off for the waterfall is only about 2 or 300 yards.  For me, at least, it's a LOT less intimidating than the Black Valley.  Enjoy the pony and trap ride through the Gap.  We've done that three times now -- 2005, 2013 and 2014.  We've only ever done it starting from Kate's and ending with the boats, though.  The next time we go, I really want to 'do it' in reverse, though -- because the views in that direction (by car) are spectacular, too.

It is DEFINITELY more of a challenge on the north side! We went up in first gear the whole way our first time. It was VERY foggy, and I don't think we broke 15 mph the whole time.

The only place that was scarier to me, in driving around Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales or Iceland, has been the Golden Road on the Isle of Harris in Scotland. Cliff on BOTH sides of the narrow, winding, hilly road. And yes, I drove it in a minivan. Not a full van... but nonetheless, I had to surgically remove my dad's fingernails from the passenger seat dashboard.