Kinsale to Kenmare

After keeping Claire up with my sleep mumblings, I wake and open the curtains to glorious sunshine again (are we really in Ireland?). First Irish full breakfast of the holiday went down a treat along with cereal which set us up for the day. First stop on the journey was Clonakilty which was a great place, we wondered around the shops and then the local market which was selling local produce and was a hive of activity. It was a photographers paradise when we walked into the old parts of town, lovely hippie flower shops, cafe's and interesting boutique's.

Blip is of an old bearded market trader with lots of character selling organic, local produce.

Time well spent wondering around Clonakilty but we needed to crack on with our journey which was to become very interesting and scenic from now on, a quick blast to Skibbereen then Timoleaugue which had a lovely church and traditional phone booth, perfect for a photo or two.

We headed on to Bantry where we stopped for lunch. Found a lovely Irish Pub serving all the local work force their Friday lunch so had to be good, chicken baguette, chips and a pint of shandy consumed in the nice breeze by the front door whilst the rest of the sight seer's and work force melted in the 27 degrees outside.

We could have gone straight to Kenmare from this point in the journey but we had other plans, with our bellies full from lunch we drove around the coast area known as the ring of Kerry. I knew this would be a beautiful area as my dad cycled around it about 10 years ago and recommended I go there. At the eastern most tip of the sea inlet is the town of Kenmare where we were staying. On arrival I ignored the sat nav taking us to the B&B and opted to drive to the waterfront of a fishing Pier. Here we saw locals and tourists having fun jumping into the sea off the Pier. After about 20mins we decided to head for our accommodation which was only a minute away, luckily getting a car parking space at the back of the B&B as parking was rather restricted which we later found out was due to a food and music festival in town. Right on the high street we couldn't be in a better place to soak up the atmosphere and the parade came right outside our windows.

We headed out to see what the place had to offer. Knowing that there was a food/music festival in town we didn't stay out too long as we wanted to get showered and ready for the nights entertainment.

We ate in our hotel and after a huge steak and cheeky sticky toffee pudding there was not much room for anything else but as the evening was young and the town was partying we headed for the bars. Live music is so good in Ireland and almost every drinking hole has a shindig to live music.


We went into one bar with live music and had a pint then we only thought it fair to spend our money in another pub but as we came out we noticed a band playing outside on a flatbed truck in front of a pub (only in ireland) so we watched them play a few songs.

Great night and loving my first trip to Ireland.