A day in the park. Some horses. Some castles. Some rally cars.
She’s got a ticket to ride
Eq…Eq…Equus!
We found a stable that did trail ride through the Killarney National Park. Not too shabby.
Cat & Pepsi and Sean & Rosie
Pepsi was well behaved. Rosie, not so much.
View from horseback
Cat took these pictures. I was mostly hanging on for dear life.
It was hard to keep an eye on where the horse was going with that dern scenery all around.
View from horseback
Trail guide told us they had 2 rabbits a few months ago; Now they have lots of rabbits.
Yup, that’s how rabbits work.
There’s a buck in the distance. Earlier we passed through a pack of deer. That was before the camera came out.
Same buck in the distance.
Horse and baby horse.
Is that like horse veal?
Cheeky Monkey
The view approaching Ross Castle
Built for the O’Donoghue Chieftains during the first half of the 15th century, Ross Castle has a typical tower house layout, with the banqueting hall and minstrels gallery on the top floor.
View of Lough Leane on the far side of the castle
Castle wall facing Lough Leane
View across Lough Leane from the banqueting hall at the top of the castle
Other than out through the windows, we weren’t allowed to take pictures in the castle.
There were several interesting drop leaf tables in the castle.
I had to watch Cat to make sure she didn’t try to put her name on a sticky to claim any of the castle furniture
Go away or I shall taunt you a second time
The castle was originally contained inside a strong stone bawn wall. Outside this, there was probably an earthen bank and wooden palisade which enclosed an area called the bailey.
By 1700 the castle had changed hands twice. The O’Donoghues were allied with the Earl of Desmond during the failed rebellion and so the castle fell into the hands of the McCarthy Mor family.
By the mid-18th century the castle had become a garrison. Most of the bawn walls had been removed, Valentine Browne’s house had been demolished, and it had been necessary to support the north-west corner of the castle with a substantial buttress.
Two women who asked us to take their picture. Here ya go ladies.
On our way out from the castle.
One last shot across Lough Leane
Swan in the distance
Golden Gate to Killarney National Park
Tulips in the park
Cherry blossoms
Under the cherry blossoms
In Kerry the weather would quickly go from sunny to overcast and rainy
Not sure what this house in the park is, other than closed for renovations.
The rally ran around the Ring of Kerry the two days after we took the tour.
Rally cars used the lot around the corner from our hotel. Made it easy to get some pics. Also made it hard to find a parking space.
Vroom.
