Ireland 2026; Day Six

Life will surprise you in ways you never expected.  

Some days will feel heavy 

Others will remind you why you kept going. 

Do not stay stuck in what went wrong. 

Take the lesson. 

Trust your journey.

And keep moving forward.

~~Seen on Twitter aka X~~

Our journey yesterday was wet and windy but not heavy.  

We made the most of a rainy day by visiting the Kissane Sheep Ranch on the edge of Killarney National Park. 

It was a day for planning exits and finding entrances to dryness. 

Raingear was a necessity, although I never donned my rain pants like Bill.  Mine are a little large after my colitis weight loss, so I brought them along for the most dire of conditions. 

Yesterday was pretty bad at times but not dire for what we were doing outside.  We could get inside any time we wished, so our car, gift shops and the Kissane sheep/cat/dog barn provided us escapes from the major rain-wind blasts. 

I do remember one moment while walking to the car from the barn when a gust of wind almost picked me up and blew me away.  

Now, that would be a sight and certainly worthy of a selfie, but I held my ground. 

We went to the historical Kissane Sheep Ranch to watch Border Collies do their work.  

Actually, the only real worker of the day was Tapper, trained by our host Evan.  In spite of the fierce winds and rain, Tapper did his job, racing down the hillside and putting on an impressive show directing a herd of sheep where they needed to be. 

When his job was completed, Tapper jumped in a tub of water to cool off---I'd say more by habit than need, cuz he was already pretty watered down from the rain. 

Later, Evan directed us to the barn where he talked about sheep and wool and dogs.  Soon, we saw that Evan had himself a herd of dogs---seven, to be exact. 

They raced about inside the barn.  When they weren't eyeing the young sheep in an indoor pen, a black-and-white cat perched on a ledge up above kept some of the dogs transfixed. 

The group of visitors launched lots of interesting questions to Evan, who completed his presentation by shearing and spray-painting a young 2026 lamb. 

He explained that the lambs, once sheared, would stay indoors for several months for warmth and a chance to grow. 

The paint sprayed on the wool will wash off when the wool is prepared for its ultimate goal.  Farms use their chosen colors to mark their sheep, and, at times, will add additional colors to signify that the lambs have received specific treatments. 

It was sad to learn that both brothers who owned the Kissane farm (in existence since about 1872) have passed on.  Their sole heir is 16 and has not had any significant experience with the farm. 

It's also sad to learn that wool has run competition with synthetic fibers, so there's really not a lot of money to be made in sheep farming. 

We enjoyed a short chat with Evan before his presentation and learned that his girl friend is a basketball coach in Kenmare.  

So, it's very likely that our son Willie knows her, having conducted a two-day basketball clinic there last fall. 

The small-world stuff is always fun. 

Speaking of which:  last Wednesday while waiting to board our Aer Lingus flight to Dublin, I sat in a vibrating chair (pay $5 to get it started, which I did not) nor did the ladies sitting in other similar chairs. 

We just sat there cuz it was comfortable.  I mentioned in an earlier post having a nice conversation with the lady next to me who was a retired audiologist who had taught at Western Washington University in Bellingham. 

We had a common interest in Border Collies. I never di get her name but thought she was very nice. 

Yesterday in the rain and the wind, those watching the herding exhibition were bundled up in their rain jackets.

We moved around to get pictures of the action, and, at one moment, I turned around to walk to another vantage point.  Immediately behind me stood the lady occupying the vibrating chair next to me at Sea-Tac.  

She and her friend are on a Rick Steves tour, which I learned yesterday is following the same general pathway we are taking in our travels.  

We decided it was important to stage a groupie photo since we had become "new best friends."  I even know her name now: Anna. 

And, I became better acquainted with her friend Charlotte. 

Small world for some Northwest residents on the rainy Irish sheep farm!

And, so we all keep moving forward.  In Bill and my case, we took a back road to Kenmare after the sheep exhibition. 

The wind and rain continued to intensify, so our "slight detour" meant sitting in the car for about half an hour while a traveler with a chainsaw offered his services to help other remove fallen trees that blocked our route.  

It was interesting, once traffic began to move, watching the tour buses squeeze past us on the wet, narrow road. 

When we returned to our cottage, we discovered that the electricity had been off all over Kenmare for about three hours. 

It eventually came back on.  We did some projects and later walked to the Kenmare Brew Pub for dinner and a chance to once again listen to live music. 

This time two gentlemen playing guitars (one also had a harmonica) sang some longtime favorites for people of our generation. It was a quieter evening at the brew house, and when we left, only two other couples remained. 

Once again, I enjoyed a real meal of chicken, mashed potatoes and veggies while Bill had seafood chowder. 

It was a rainy, messy day yesterday, our first on this trip, but we made the most of it. 

Today the wind and rain have gone somewhere else, and I can see some blue sky.  We'll plan to go to Dingle and then prepare to move on to Clifden tomorrow. 

It's a long drive, but we're excited to have Sue from Sharamore House announce that "the kids" have arrived.  

When you're our age, such euphemistic characterizations are much appreciated, especially when Sue and her hubby John are younger than we are. 

Speaking of age, Bill and I both want to wish our longtime great and treasured friend and perennial cheerleader, Jean "Mow" Tobin, a happy 80th birthday. 

We hope she has a celebration worthy of the great lady she is.  I've known her since 1965 when we both worked at a Campfire Girls camp on Lake Coeur d'Alene.  

She's been a true blue and thoughtful friend whose beloved by all of our family members.

Happy Birthday, Mow, from your Love family.  

Hope you have a fabulous day. 

Sending you our love and best wishes from Ireland!💚

Also, as I wrap up today's thoughts, here's a heads-up.  I have had the leisure of extra time here in Kenmare to organize my blog posts. 

Once we're on the road again and with less free time, plan for shorter posts heavier on photos and less muttering.  

Hope you've been enjoying the posts, and I'll do my best to represent the rest of our trip the best way possible within a smaller frame of time available at the computer. 

It's been fun. Lots more to come. 

 Happy Wednesday.  Enjoy the photos. 

It was quite a storm as evidenced by this photo in an online news report. 

https://www.independent.ie/county/kerry/trees-down-and-power-outages-across-south-kerry-as-wind-takes-roof-off-building-in-kilgobnet/a/162335270.html

It was raining cats and dogs at Kissane Sheep Farm yesterday, figuratively, of course.

The continuous sight of seven Border Collies constantly moving to and fro in a small barn area with busy eyes was something to behold.  

Charlotte and Anna, my "new best friends,' seen in Sea-Tac Airport and later at Kissane Sheep Farm in Ireland. 

Who knows where next?

An Irish robin.  

I knew it by the sound before even looking. 

The tiny bird may not look like American robins, but the sound is very similar. 

Clifton lives in Italy, but he grew up in Kenmare. 

Dani plays a great harmonica along with his guitar.  

Both men have beautiful voices and put great feeling into every note. 

Ireland 2026; Day Five

 

I just can't help it.  

Every time I walk past this little house, I have to take a picture.  

Never mind that I've done so at least a dozen times over the years. 

It's just plain photogenic, charming and so Ireland. 

And, that, I must confess, is a weakness I've noticed every time we come back to this country. 

Often we grow wearing of seeing the same-o, same-o scenes. 

Not in Ireland. 

These scenes all around the country have a sort of magnetism that keeps tugging at one's heart. And, when we see them once again, the heart is full of nostalgic admiration. 

So, I won't apologize about capturing some of the same images time after time on our visits. 

The little house is located along the street where we walk to The Moorings Restaurant for lunch. 

Yesterday's menu included mixed vegetable soup for me and bisque for Bill, along with fresh-baked Irish brown bread. As usual, we enjoyed our server Jacob who moved to Ireland three years ago from Slovakia.

As always, our meal was delightful---every last spoonful and bite. 

Port Magee is where passengers board a boat to visit or cruise around Skelig Michael of “Star Wars” fame.  Bill, Annie and I did that once a few years ago. 

We opted for the cruise around the island, which is alive with adorable puffins, but we also enjoyed an unplanned step off the boat to the island, thanks to some other passengers who were seasick. 

It was brief, but we could still wear the figurative badges of saying we’d been there and done that.

Port Magee also has a bridge that takes folks across to the Valencia Island. 

We’ve done that route a few times on our travels, and it has become an essential ever since 2023 when we went there the day after our Border Collie Liam had to be euthanized back home in Idaho.

As you might imagine, the grief of suddenly saying good bye over the phone to our beloved dog six thousand miles away was unbearable.

The next day was a “put one tear-filled foot in front of the other” as we processed what had happened.

I remember feeling numb and empty for most of the day, but when we drove to the highest point on Valencia Island and looked down at the green fields, then filled with white sheep, we could both envision Liam down there doing his work.

Yesterday Bill pointed out one field, and said, “That’s Liam’s field.”

So, it’s an emotional trip but also one filled with awe at the sheer beauty of the ocean, its foamy, white waves crashing the shore, the lighthouse and those green fields where Liam now resides in our minds.

We also enjoyed some amazing views of Skelig Michel and thought of the day in 2017 when we enjoyed the good fortune of setting foot on the island.

Our hours here in Kenmare involved Bill taking and minding the laundry next door and enjoying walks in between.  I worked extra time on my blog and took some nice walks around the neighborhood as well as to Quill’s Woolens a few blocks away.

A few years ago, I bought most of my Christmas presents at Quill’s and had them mailed home.

I probably won’t do that this year, thanks to the advice from the clerks who said they would be happy to mail my purchases if I didn’t mind tacking a 17-percent tariff on top of the purchase, mailing and insurance price.

No thank you, I said.  Their suggestion:  buy an extra suitcase for those items and you can shop at several stores and take it home with you.

Thank you, Donald Trump, for your “beautiful” tariffs, but I’d rather see that my money does not go to your ball room, your arch or all the other places you are spending money.

I don’t know if we want to deal with that hassle, but I’ll still pick up some souvenirs that fit in my bags.

After returning from Port Magee, Bill and I relaxed for a while and then walked to P.F. McCarthy’s to say hi to Vince. 

His wife Mary had already left. Still, we took a group photo and caught a shot of the man Vince had jokingly told our friend Janice Johnson was Vince. 

That man’s name was Mike, and he says he does get confused as Vince occasionally.

It made for good laughs all around.

After saying good bye to Vince and the gang, we headed to the Kenmare Brew House where the two-man band was playing mainly American favorites. 

I enjoyed some more sweet potato tarragon soup while Bill ordered the favorite dish to many---steak and potato cakes.

It was another fine day in Ireland, including the weather, so we are pinching ourselves.  This morning we’ve seen a little rain and some rather blustery wind, but it’s pleasant outside.

We may go to Dingle today. That will be decided when we’re both ready to make some plans.  For now, we’re enjoying a quiet and pleasant morning here in the cottage.

Happy Tuesday. 

Enjoy the photos. 

 

From a prior trip, when Bill, Annie and I visited Skellig Michael, a World Heritage site of the coast of Ireland. 

Our friend Vince.  

He's a chef who creates amazing baked goods, and we've seen him on every visit since Bill and I started doing trips on our own through Ireland.  

Besides working as a chef and a business owner, Vince is a gifted writer with a wicked and hilarious sense of humor.  For locals back home, he could be an Irish version of Patrick McManus. 

Vince pulled our neighbor Janice's leg when she and her hubby Mark were in Kenmare a few days ago. 

After I suggested that she go to P.F. McCarthy's restaurant and ask for Vince, she did just that. 

Vince's quick wit took hold, and he pointed to a man outside the establishment having a cigarette and told Janice that was Vince. So, she went outside and met Mike, who was not Vince. 

The group all enjoyed a great laugh once the truth about the real Vince was known. 

This little 4-legged cutie apparently also serves as the paper boy. 

This is an Irish crow. 

Don't ask me why the different color, but when you see the difference between an Irish robin and an American robin, you'll note that birds, like people, are not uniform the world around. 

Still, they have some universal tendencies, and, in crows, it seems to be the personalities and the range of sounds. 

We have several crows hanging out and flitting from roof or high wire to another in the lane leading from our cottage. 

Nice to feel at home with their ever-present busYness, even if they don't look the same. 

Hydrangeas and fuchsias are as common in Ireland as daisies in America. 

We arrived in time for the hydrangeas to still exhibit their beautiful blooms, but they are slowly fading. 

Fuchsias, on the other hand, are ubiquitous and always elegantly beautiful.