Southern tour

In 2019 we decided to visit mostly the southern portion of Ireland.  A portion that we have not been to or were only in for a very short amount of time.
We have been fortunate to visit the most known locations throughout the country.  This time we are visiting the 'Ireland's Best Kept Secrets'.  With family in country we have had the pleasure of visiting the Avoca Mill, but we had to stop for lunch and a bit of shopping on our way to the first stop in Wexford.
  • Wexford
  • Waterford
  • Cork
  • Tralee
  • Dingle
  • Adare
  • Doolin
  • Westport
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Southern Ireland

Dublin to Cork

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Avoca Mill
Drive down to Wexford from Dublin we had to stop at the mill for lunch.
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Waterford
​You can't miss the tour of the crystal factory, or at least what is still there.  The store and cutting that goes on in Waterford is not the original factory but it is a good tour and you get to see some of the great works that have come out off the floor.

Cork

Blackrock Castle Observatory

Very nice to see this observatory in Cork.  They have taken something that was bleeding money for the city and turned it into something that makes money as a tourist attraction but also gives the local schools a place to visit and learn about the stars.
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We had a great visit in Cork, staying away from the obvious Blarney Castle since we have been there before.  We walked quite a bit of the city and visited Tara's Tea Room for some excellent afternoon tea.
Such lovely staff and customers, we had a great escape from the rain and wonderful lunch.

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Tralee
This little known place to use was in just the right location to afford us a chance to take in the Dingle area.  The first night at the hotel we asked what to do in the area and we got a call in the room with an offer for free tickets to 'a dance'.  We accepted because it was late and what else was there to do.  It turned out to be at Siamsa Tire, the local theatre for their local production of Chicago and it was excellent.
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That evening while having some drinks at the hotel we spoke to the bartender and a couple customers to find out what to do the next day.  They were all very helpful and guided us to the Dingle Peninsula and Connor Pass.  This was certainly a great drive.Sleeping Bishop (old man in the sea, sleeping man), since there were three at the bar they all had a name for the same thing.
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Such beautiful views on the peninsula drive, while the road is a rather tight, one lane, there are busses there.  The Connor Pass is not available for buses so you do have to have a car for that drive.

IRELAND

We really love Ireland and can't get enough.  Every few years we will go back to get that feeling again.