Our
Spring Break to Kenmare – 7th
– 11th
May 2017
On Sunday. May 7th
63 members of our Active Retirement group set off excitedly on the
first leg of our journey to Kenmare for our annual 5 day Spring
break.
We were based in the
lovely Kenmare Bay Hotel and enjoyed brilliant sunshine and blue
skies for the duration of our visit.
Our first day’s tour
took us through beautiful scenic Glengarriff, which sits in the
shelter of Bantry Bay, on to Mizen Head, the most south westerly
point of the Iveragh Peninsula. It was the most exilerating
experience with its arched bridge, the 99 steps and paths and
fabulous views of Dunlough Bay, Signal Station and Fastnet Rock.
Fastnet was known as Ireland’s Teardrop as it was the last part of
Ireland seen by thousands of Irish Emigrants as they sailed away to
the New World, most of them never to return again.
The mountainous Beara
peninsula with its stunning coastal scenery was on the agenda for Day
2. Our first stop was in the major fishing port of Castletownbere
with the Sugar Loaf Mountain and Hungry Hill as a backdrop. After a
delicious tea/coffee/scones/apple pie,custard,cream,strawberry/ break
in the Beara Coast Hotel, we continued on our journey to Allihies
passing through the brightly painted, picturesque villages of Eyeries
and Ardgroom. Unfortunately, time didn’t allow any of us to take
the cable car to Dursey Island. The return journey took us to
Adrigole via the Healy Pass which winds its way through the Caha
Mountains, the backbone of the Beara Peninsula. We literally held our
breath as we squeezed our way through the narrow tunnels. Well done
to our driver Michael, who manoeuvred this extra large coach through
these tunnels for the very first time. On the way back we had the
unique experience of visiting the Buddhist temple at Dzogchen Beara
built in the style of a traditional Tibetan monastery with its floor
to ceiling windows and spectacular ocean views.
On day 3, we headed for
Caherdaniel on the Ring of Kerry and had an interesting tour of
Derrynane House, ancestral home of Daniel O’Connell. It is situated
on 120 hectares of parklands on the scenic Kerry coast. Derrynane was
notorious as a port for smugglers in the 18th century
As we boarded our bus
for home, we were sad to leave this scenic part of the country. There
wasn’t a hill or mountain in sight as we approached Ballinasloe.
Even though we were very tired, we all agreed that the fun,
comraderie and nice meals all helped to make this a wonderful and
enjoyable trip. Thanks to Phil and Bridie for all the organising.
Chris
O’Flynn P.R.O
