Move day. Leaving our happy spot in Ballenskellig County Kerry for County Wicklow and Dunlavin Village. Packed, ate breakfast and on the road by 8:30. (I made a run to the beach to do recycling and to steal some sand for Kate.)
Loaded up the cars - three cars for the first time - and headed up the secret
middle passage that we'd investigated the day before. The pass seemed much easier
the second time.
We stopped at mid-day fo lunch at Ruffles in Mallow. We had pulled in off the highway into a small strip mall - it looked homely. But we walked a few hundred yards after getting a tip for a resturant - Ruffles.
It was one of the nicer spots we'd eaten - not a pub - with white table cloths and nice crystal. A few yards past Ruffles, you stepped out into the real town - bustling traffic along a narrow, colorful street.
After another hour of driving, we stopped in Cahir to see their castle.
My first castle. This castle was spared destruction because it was surrendered without much of a battle to Cromwell. Much interesting history connected to it - Earl of Essex being beheaded and all that. Here a guide explains some of the more interesting aspects such as the "murder holes".
We refueled on our way to Dunlavin and some people had their first almond Magnum
bars - for some reason they had vanished from County Kerry.
By early evening, we had checked into the Tynte
House - after driving well past it. We had expected a place out in the country
but it was right in the center of Dunlavin Village.
After quickly settling, we walked one block to Burke's Pub and sat in the front
room by the bar.
The usual Irish fare - with terrific mashed potatoes and gravy - several of
us poached on Sarah's serving.
Then to bed - for a very quiet night.