Eating West Cork: February 2011

The girls are off school this week (mid-term) so we packed our bags and headed to Kerry a nice long weekend break. We set off early on Saturday morning and drove through Clonakilty, Skibbereen, Ballydehob, Bantry, Glengariff and over the Cork and Kerry mountains into Kenmare and eventually arriving in Killarney where we checked into Scotts hotel in the town. It was my first time ever driving this route which is absolutely spectacular. I am sure our pictures do not give it justice but there are a bunch at the end. We ate out in a great pizza restaurant in Killarney that night and retired to the hotel for a relatively early night.

After a full irish breakfast the next morning we headed anti-clockwise around the ring of Kerry (again for my first time) passing through Killorgin, Caherciveen, Portmagee, Valencia Island, Waterville, Caherdaniel, Sneem, Kenmare and then back to Killarney. The weather was a little overcast but we got the gist as to why this is Ireland’s most popular tourist destination as the entire ring is really quite special.

Next morning we checked out and took a pony and trap tour of the Gap of Dunloe. Weather on Monday was fantastic so we took our time enjoying the sun and scenery. The girls were such stars with so much driving that we visited a lovely petting farm outside Killarney on the way back to Cork.

A lovely weekend that reminded us of what a beautiful country we live in.