DAY THIRTEEN: Ring of Kerry Tour

Several of our bus mates opted out of this 112-mile roundtrip through Killarney National Park making up the Ring of Kerry including “sparkling seascapes, mountains dotted with brightly colored farmhouses, the remote villages of Cahirdveen and Sneem, winding lanes bordered with subtropical vegetation, and breathtaking panoramas of the (3) Lakes of Killarney.”  

You might not be able to recognize the two celebrities in this picture, but one is an honest-to-goodness leprechaun ... the other is the silent movie star Charlie Chaplin.  It seems Charlie and his family owned property here and were frequent visitors.  A nearby plaque notes, "For the man who made the movies speak in the hearts of millions.  Charlie spent many years in our midst as a welcome and humble guest and friend to many."

So glad we weren’t among those who decided to stay behind.  It was a glorious day– and one of only 2-3 days with blue sky and sunshine we have experienced on the Emerald Isle – with lots of pleasant conversation and many wonderful photo opportunities.

Back in Killarney, we enjoyed a fun-filled jaunting car ride – an open carriage with Cal as our jarvey (driver) and drawn by a big horse named Gonzo – along a 4-mile path through the national park.  It was the perfect end to a lovely day in Killarney.