To Kinsale, via Bantry


We left Kenmare (sadly) and drove through the Borlin Valley mountain range. One lane, if even, no guard rails, and up about 200-300 meters! We took the back roads to Bantry! Damn street signs! We were driving out of Kenmare and saw a sign for Bantry. We took it and passed a small motor car museum. After that, the road got smaller and had no other cars on it. Later on we found out that the Bantry sign we saw was probably only there to draw people to the museum. If we had stuck on the main road for about 1-2 more kilometers, we would have seen the regular highway to Bantry. But, we had fun, nonetheless.

The cliffs through the valley were insane. Saving up to have a pint in Kinsale! Sheep slept in the road and we had to stop so they could get up, look at us, and move off the road. They did this readily, if reluctantly. We obviously weren't the first four wheel vehicle these sheep had seen.

Bantry house was a beautiful house on the south side of the city, straddling the bay. It was a restored mansion, although the house was closed for repairs. We did walk around the grounds and stopped in an old building where there was a self-guided exhibit on an underwater archaeological site just off the coast where we were. It was of a French military vessel that sunk while it was trying to aid the Free Irish through off the British during the 1700s. Pretty interesting.

We stopped at Bromberg Stone Circle. Unmarked and way off the beaten track, we finally found it. Drove behind a car and lorry filled with stones, going very slowly! Longest trip to just get to this circle. But, it was a beautiful scene, one well worth spending the time getting there.

We arrived at Kinsale and found parking. We needed an hour disc (parking permit), so Diane popped into a grocery store to purchase one. We checked into the Blue Haven, our hotel, and went to the hotel bar. Diane had another Bulmer's and I had another Guinness. Not as good as previous ones, since it was served extremely cold. That's an option for Guinness in some pubs, based on what was written on the taps.

We changed some cash and went to 1601, my favorite pub of our trip. The name commemorates the Battle of Kinsale. Cool club music played. Pierced bartender served us more Murphy's and Bulmer's.

After, we walked up the hills of Kinsale, past Desmond Castle and St. Multose Church. Back to town and dinner at a Thai restaurant. I had two Singha's with dinner! Very good, then back to the hotel for a relaxing evening.

Back view of Bantry house:


Drombeg Stone Circle:

Posted: Mon - September 8, 2003 at 06:17 PM          

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