Ireland: Part a dó

Trying to decide what to write about on the blog has been difficult - there's just too much!  First, here are some pictures from Carrie & Josh's sweet crib.  The live on Compass Hill overlooking the harbor in a HUGE house.  Here's the view from the garden.

 Their garden - they actually have a gardener

 View from atop the garden (their house is on the right)

 Friday after we dropped the boys off at the train station, the 4 of us went back to Cork for some more sight-seeing and shopping!  Here's a church in Cork and they call it the "Four-Faced Liar", because each clock has a different time.  Of course when we were there the times were all the same, so we just call Carrie the liar.

 Later that afternoon we drove to Fort James, which is one of the two forts on the side of Kinsale harbor that protected the city.  Seeing and touching a building that is over 400 years old is pretty amazing!

 What's left standing

 Gotta love the weather!

 Saturday morning we hit the road early to drive to the Dingle Peninsula (the Deegans favorite Irish sight).  The peninsula has something to offer the rest of the island didn't - mountains!  The highest pass (Connor pass) is an astounding 1,500 feet (nothing for us Coloradoans), but the views were spectacular.

 

 Quaint town of Dingle

 The lighthouse we hiked to

 Every corner we turned in Dingle there was something about the "Fungie Dolphin" tour, and since we didn't get to ride the ferry to the islands, we knew we needed to get on a boat - seeing a dolphin was just a bonus.  We started our nice ride out of the harbor and after some waiting finally spotted the dolphin.  We were in awe and raced around the boat to beat the other tourists snapping pics.  Then Fungie swam off unamused by our curiosity, then the captain geared up the boat to chase him.  No commentary about the harbour, history of the city, etc.  It was all about this dolphin.  There we sat for an hour chasing this poor dolphin around the harbour.  What a tourist trap! 

 Gotta love the signs in Ireland

 Cow we had to pass on our hike - he graciously let us go through!

 So cold........(we actually got sick after this day from the cold & wind)

 View from Connor Pass (highest point in Ireland)

 For some reason every time we got in the Fiesta for a ride, I snoozed.  I never sleep in a car, plane, or anything but a bed, but each time we were headed somewhere I was excited to get some nappy time.  I'm sure I missed some beautiful countryside.  This was right before I was awakened by a slap!

 Sunday morning we got up and drove to Fort Charles (the other fort that protected Kinsale) on the opposite side of Fort James.  It's well intact with loads of information about Ireland history.

 The Bros

 Then we drove to Cobh for the afternoon.  It's another coastal town fueled by tourism.  Cobh was the last place the Titanic docked before it sank, making it the town's "claim to fame".  The streets in these small towns are so cute and colorful!

 Large church in Cobh

 We went back to Kinsale to check out their local fair and shopping the rest of the day.  It was nice to see the town starting to buzz and not seem so empty.  Steve just had to buy a local hat. 

 Sunday evening we ate at Bulman's (favorite local hangout with great views of the harbour). 

 Enjoying the last Guinness of the trip.  Boo!

We left early early Monday morning to return home to our sweet girlies in the afternoon.  The trip was perfect, but we were happy to get home and snuggle with them.