Kevin & Marjorie at Dingle Bay

Dingle Peninsula

All of us in front of the van we've had all week

The lakes of Killarney as a backdrop for our last group photo

Our driver, Mike, with his nephews Aaron, 12 and Killian, 8 - and assorted cows in the background

An example of paddock farming - beautiful patchwork

Margie, Marcia, Zita, & Dennis at the Gap of Dunloe in their jaunting cart

Thursday, August 9 - Today was the last full day we were all together.  Mike picked us up at 8:30 and took us to his father-in-law's farm where they raise cattle for the meat.  Very interesting and we got to meet his 2 nephews as they were feeding the calves.  From there we went touring the Dingle Peninsula.  Very narrow, winding roads again with breathtaking scenery.  We saw folks swimming at one of the beaches we passed.  Mike thought the water temperature was around 50 degrees F.  Most were wearing wet suits but not everyone.  In the town of Dingle we ate lunch at the Boatyard - again a wonderful meal.  Then off to finish touring the peninsula.  The weather turned out to be beautiful this afternoon, sunny, 70's - everyone was out and enjoying it.  On the way back, Mike asked if we minded if he turned on the radio as the Irish lass was boxing for the gold - so we all cheered her on to her win.  Mike said it was a great day for the Irish!  After riding in the jaunting carts up the Gap of Dunloe (a break between two mountains) we ate dinner at Kate Kearneys Cottage - a place our parents always went to eat whenever they were in the area.  Another great meal with Irish music afterwards.  Didn't get home till 10:15.  The guys & Margie are playing golf tomorrow so they'll be gone by 7 - the rest of us get to sleep in for a bit.  Talk with you tomorrow for our last full day here.  Sheila

Catered Meal

Mixed Desserts

 Salad

 Salmon

 Vegetarian Meal for Pam

Bernie & Mark Doe run a cooking school here in Killarney.  Our host, Tim O'Donoghue, suggested them to us as someone who would come to the house and prepare a meal for us.  What a great experience.  They arrived at 7:30 and we had the first course at 8:30.  They had made vegetable tarts, made of puff pastry with tomato and homemade goat cheese.  The second course was the entree - we could choose from either spring lamb or salmon.  They were served with several different kinds of potato dishes, vegetables, and 2 different salads.  We didn't have dessert until almost 10 but it was well worth waiting for - each one of us had a large dish with different types of dessert on it - bread pudding with butterscotch sauce; strawberry meringue; a sugar cookie; lemon cream; and vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce.  What a fantastic meal - and best of all, we didn't have to clean up.

Tim Gleeson, an Irish balladeer, came and sang for us tonight.  His sang our father's favorite Irish song, "Kevin Barry".  Made me cry as I could hear Dad singing it.  Almost all the songs we requested, he knew so we got to hear the music we wanted to hear - could have saved a few nights in the pubs.

Kelly Whiner and Little Dinny at the Crackpots Restaurant in Kinsale

 The Kinne Clan at the Priory in Killarney - Little Dinny, Zita, Big Dinny, Kelly Whiner - House Frau
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Because we had sunshine Tuesday afternoon, we decided to do our group photo shot.  Everyone had brought white shirts & khaki pants so we’d be color coordinated but Mark & Bernie were due to arrive soon to fix our dinner so we went with whatever anyone was wearing.  And it turned out to be a great look!  The Priory House has wonderful settings around it but we liked the front of the house with the flags flying and the rocks in the flower garden.  As you can see, everyone’s having a great time!!   Sheila