After another traditional Irish breakfast (but with yummy hazelnut yogurt!), we started off on the Ring of Kerry. We couldn't find the turnoff for Derrynane House... somehow missed Glacier Lake... famine villages... other... things. We did, however, find Staigue Ring Fort! 
It had neat zig-zag stairs all around the inside, which we climbed to the top, making sure to avoid the sheep that we found inside. 
The next stop we made was at Carroll's Cove to dip our toes in the water. It is supposedly the warmest beach in Ireland. It is still VERY cold. 
We also drove by a Charlie Chaplin statue in Waterville. Apparently, he lived there a little while. Who knew?
We had left early in the morning and then took the Skellig Ring loop to avoid tour buses. All the research we did said that the roads were constantly covered with tour buses, so you are either a) stuck behind them or b) constantly being passed by them on tiny, narrow roads. Luckily our plan worked, because we only passed a handful all day. This loop also allowed us to visit the Skelligs Chocolate Factory where we tried chocolates with Lime Zest and Black Pepper, Sea Salt and Irish Honey.
It had neat zig-zag stairs all around the inside, which we climbed to the top, making sure to avoid the sheep that we found inside. The next stop we made was at Carroll's Cove to dip our toes in the water. It is supposedly the warmest beach in Ireland. It is still VERY cold. We also drove by a Charlie Chaplin statue in Waterville. Apparently, he lived there a little while. Who knew?We had left early in the morning and then took the Skellig Ring loop to avoid tour buses. All the research we did said that the roads were constantly covered with tour buses, so you are either a) stuck behind them or b) constantly being passed by them on tiny, narrow roads. Luckily our plan worked, because we only passed a handful all day. This loop also allowed us to visit the Skelligs Chocolate Factory where we tried chocolates with Lime Zest and Black Pepper, Sea Salt and Irish Honey.We passed by a sign that said "the best view of cliffs" in Kerry. Little did we know that we would pay admission, however, it included use of binoculars, so we didn't mind. ;) 
The view was amazing, but we almost got blown off the edge when a sudden downpour started. A little dog tried to trip Michelle, and another stuffed-animal-looking dog jumped up on me and got me muddy.
We passed through a cute little town, then crossed a bridge onto Valentia Island. At the other end of the island, we rode a ferry back to the mainland.
We stopped at Ballycarberry Castle, dating back to the 16th century. 
This was seriously probably one of my favorite things in Ireland. There are stairs in the back that we climbed up and then in, through, and allover these ruins. Incredibly fun.
Great photo shoot site... would be perfect for bridals.
We saw two more stone ring forts. These two had smaller buildings inside, one even had a secret passage. We avoided more sheep and even cows at these forts... well, at least their droppings.
Loved these yellow irises everywhere.
We stopped to shop in Killarney, then had a scenic drive back through Killarney National Park. This was called the Ladies View, with a Leprechaun crossing to boot.
The view was amazing, but we almost got blown off the edge when a sudden downpour started. A little dog tried to trip Michelle, and another stuffed-animal-looking dog jumped up on me and got me muddy.We passed through a cute little town, then crossed a bridge onto Valentia Island. At the other end of the island, we rode a ferry back to the mainland.We stopped at Ballycarberry Castle, dating back to the 16th century. This was seriously probably one of my favorite things in Ireland. There are stairs in the back that we climbed up and then in, through, and allover these ruins. Incredibly fun.Great photo shoot site... would be perfect for bridals.We saw two more stone ring forts. These two had smaller buildings inside, one even had a secret passage. We avoided more sheep and even cows at these forts... well, at least their droppings.Loved these yellow irises everywhere.We stopped to shop in Killarney, then had a scenic drive back through Killarney National Park. This was called the Ladies View, with a Leprechaun crossing to boot.We had yummy dinner at the Coachman hotel, entertained by live accordian music.
We sat between a couple from Holland who were about to end their three-month holiday in Ireland, and another couple from Australia who were on a six-week holiday through Europe. I seriously need to move to one of these places... that's my kind of vacation. ;)
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