Dingle, Seamus Begley and the two meals at "The Skipper"

Dunmore Head and Blasket Islands

Slea Head

Coumeenoole Beach

Coumeenoole Beach

Clogher Head, view to Cruach Mhárthan on the left

Clogher Head

Sybil Head, the tower of Sybil Point at the top right

Sybil Head

Sybil Head cliffs

Sybil Head, Inishtooskert and Inish Tearaght

Blasket Islands and Sun beams

My birthday meal at "The Skipper" Ventry, whole Crevettes

 The most westerly mainland point in Ireland, where part of the Spanish Armada sank.

The old village at Great Blasket from the boat

Iveragh Peninsula gets a evening shower

Eva and me  went for a short break to Dingle, which is only a 1.5 hour drive away from Ballinskelligs. We see the Dingle Peninsula almost every day and decided to go there for a bit of music, walking and good food. We stayed at the Killfountain farmhouse B&B, just outside Dingle town. After checking in we went for our first round trip back to the very end of the peninsula to Brandon Creek. From there you could walk the coastline to Brandon Head with stunning views to dramatic cliffs and the sea. We stayed on the main road and returned to Ballidavid and further to Balliferriter. The Slea Head drive is a very scenic road and a must for every Dingle visitor with a interest in nature and photography.
We had dinner at "The Skipper " in Ventry, a restaurant with a French chef and fantastic food for a very good price. My three course meal included onion soup, cod fillet and a chocolate mousse for 16€ and he had a good wine and  spirit selection.
Eva got us ticket for a concert at St. James church, the famous place where Daniel Lanois, Amy Winehouse and many other famous people played, but this was a night with all local stars.
The famous Begley family took the stage at the second half of the two hour show and Seamus was the surprise guest. He is probably one of the most famous Irish singers now and tours the world with brother Brandon and his children. He is in America in November and playes in big concert halls like the Carnegie Hall. After the show we were talking outside and I told Seamus that we met before in Tech Amergin, Waterville with Tim Edey. We went together to Curran´s Bar and had a great night there with two old local brothers in there 80`s. One of them sang two songs and Seamus told some great jokes and sang. I had the camera with me but did not take any photos because I enjoyed it so much just beeing there. I think I had my best pint of Guinness there, ever. Later we went to another bar with more music. Eilis Kennedy sang there with a great voice and after everybody had left Seamus  Begley and the three young Begley´s sang me " Happy Birthday".
The next morning we went back to Clogher Head and Sybil Head with great weather and good light for some nice walks. The tower on Sybil Head is a good start for the Three Sister walk. We left the car near the golf link. Dinner was at "The Skipper" again, I went for two starters and no main course, the Crevettes flambé with cognac was very good and desert was a nice pear tart with ice cream.
We went back to Dingle for more music and met two of the Begley children playing again, one after another.
Friday morning was the trip to the Blaskets with the boat from Ventry Harbour. The 300 seals on the Blasket beach looked really relaxed, again I did not bring the 400 mm lens and therefore I did not take any real photos, but September is the right time to go there and see them. I have been on the Island only last year. We enjoed  the trip with skipper Mick and Billy on the lookout and two couples from the US. The trips can be booked here.
We may go again in October for a whale watching tour, weather permitting.
Dingle is so different, compared to Iveragh. The scenery is great but not easy to access everywhere. The y have very neat stonewalls over there. If you like Irish music, this is the best place and you will find some good places to eat and sleep.
A paradise for hill walking with Mount Eagle and Mount Brandon, but many other easy walks available too.
©Michael Herrmann 2013