BRITISH ISLES 17 -- IRELAND

More pics from the Dingle Peninsula  area. Then we drove to the tiny village  of  Doolin  in County  Clare, another  mecca  of traditional  Irish  music.  Today  we  hiked the Cliffs  of  Moher  & tonight  we're  visiting  a gentleman  who is nationally  revered as a master of Irish music; he hosts get togethers in his home which  is  just  down the  road  from  our  B&B.

BRITISH ISLES #16 -- IRELAND

We are now on the Iveragh  Peninsula  in southwest  IRELAND.  One night  in  Kenmare  where we visited an ancient stone circle,then down  the southern  coast to Portmagee  on the very tip.  More spectacular  scenery  + visited  a stone fort  &  abbey  ruins.  We stopped  at the Skellig  Chocolate  Factory  & enjoyed  a tasting  demonstration.

British Isles #15 -- IRELAND

Picked  up  a  rental  car  & drove to  Kilkenny  today  (  population  around  11,000  ).  A classic  Medieval  city  with  a  lovely  castle  and  a  wall  all  around  the  town.  And lots of SHOPPING! There's all the stores we are  familiar  with + plenty  of  high  end  specialty  shops.  We had a nice walk around town  and through the castle park trails, and had a pint and a bite at a locals' pub -- I finally  had 'bangers  and  mash'.

British Isles #14 - IRELAND

We flew into Dublin 2 days  ago  and immediately  went to the  delightful  harbor  town / extremely  active  fishing village of Howth

. It was a holiday  weekend  so  the  town  was hopping.  Lovely place, room looking out on the ocean, great hike along the cliff to the lighthouse  + the very freshest fish at the pubs. Our B n B even had grilled  fish  at breakfast!

British Isles #13

Wow! I'm  falling  behind  on  posting -- just having  too  much  fun  & staying  very busy.

After Oban we went to  Edinburgh  for our last days  in Scotland.  Another great B n B, an incredible  castle  city, more great pub food.