West Cork

From Dingle we drove down to Clodagh and Brian Studdert's place near Toormore at the South-Western-most part of the Irish mainland, arriving at their remote dwelling well after dark - a feat of navigation through sleepy villages and winding backroads.

Once again the gaelic hospitality was in full swing and Rachel and I were showered with fine food and wine. Clodagh and Brian live in a converted farmhouse and we were given the former hayloft as our room. Rachel loved this room as it afforded a view of the Fastnet Lighthouse out in the bay, which shines a beam of light into the room every 10 seconds.





This was a nice ruin we came across in Killarney National Park during our drive south.




The gable-end of the Studdert's house















Rach made a great little friend in Barney.












Don't ask what breed Barney is -
he's just kinda cute and shaggy.




We went for a walk around the neighbourhood. This abandoned stone house is due to be refurbished.








It was during this walk that we came across a real treasure. Think Compo from 'Last of the Summer Wine', with an accent that was so strong it was barely intelligible... "Urrgh-a-erf-arghh-ah-coo's" (something about his cows). We had a most enjoyable converstion. When we got back home, I mimicked his accent for Clodagh, who immediatly said "Oh, that'll be Michael...".


The coastline around Mizen Head at the very Southern tip of Ireland. It's very difficult to describe the Irish scenery without resorting to the words windswept, rugged and wild. So I won't.






Ditto.

And again.

Clodagh, myself, and Brian in front of the ruins of a tower that Marconi (radio guy) used for broadcasting.

Brian, one of our wonderful hosts.