Ireland: Day 7 (Kenmare to Bantry)

Breakfast in Brook Lane was in the restaurant, of course, and was very nice - although they forgot about the toast, which arrived incinerated. Still, we did enjoy our stay - no sign of that errant cat on the way out, though: must've been sleeping it off.

It's not really that far on the map from Kenmare to Bantry - well, not by the direct road. We, of course, didn't take the direct road - we were off on the Ring of Beara. Specifically, we were on a mission to Alihies, where someone in the office comes from. First, however, we had a couple of places on the Ring of Kerry left to visit, which were a must-see: Moll's Gap:

(complete with gift shop and cafe), and Ladies' View:

(complete with gift shop and cafe). So-named because, apparently, Queen Victoria and her ladies in waiting were very impressed with this view. I don't blame them, and it's good how they've opened it up to make the view more accessible. As ever, more photos available..

Afterwards, another winding drive took us down the north coast of the Beara peninsula. You know, these roads are very wiggly - I don't know how many people have done the entire Wild Atlantic Way in one go, but I really wouldn't advise it! For one thing, you'd get dizzy. For another, you'd have nerves after dealing with one-lane mountain roads, which you have to share with Dutch camper vans.. and the odd sheep..

By the time we reached Alihies, we were in amazement at how hard it would be for anyone from here to visit, if flying in from abroad for the weekend. You wouldn't be doing it often - mind you, you probably wouldn't be doing the north coast of Beara at all, but coming via the easier-looking south road. We were relieved to get there - and a colourful place it is:

Lunch was in O' Neill's, where we just felt like sandwiches, and were served by friendly staff, and surrounded by fellow tourists (and not a few foreigners). We then headed for Dursey Island, connected to the mainland by Ireland's only cable car. Another of those one-lane roads led down to the cable car stop.. and this was where Ireland's weather finally caught up with us. Now, we had a spectacular run of good weather - in all, Ireland had nearly two weeks of sunshine, heat, and NO RAIN! Indeed, we were told in Kenmare that the local shops had sold out of shorts and t-shirts.. We got the second week - and although we'd had a few rain spatters, it was only now that it began to rain in earnest. And there was a cold breeze. So we wren't tempted over to Dursey itself, with its lack of indoor activities, having no shops or restaurants:

Around the south coast of the peninsula and into Bantry, in persistent drizzle. I would have liked to do the direct road from Kenmare - it's spectacular - but hey, some other time.. In the main square, the Bantry Bay Hotel turned out to be closed for renovations, but we were directed just around the corner to the Maritime. Good choice - reasonable rates, central, and with a free underground car park, entrance just across the road. I must admit, I was exhausted by this point - again no WiFi, possibly not helped by the location of our room, right at the back: but who cared, we just went for dinner in the hotel restaurant. Which was terrific.

Only one day left of the Wild Atlantic Way proper..