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Tuesday, 14 August 2012

...a wee spin



So since we had the week off, we decided to pack up the car and make a run for it! This is where we ended up. The very southwest corner of Ireland.

Dingle, County Kerry. Haven't been down this way in years and it was every bit as stunning as I remembered, just one thing to note for future reference, book ahead. Book far ahead. Since we hadn't really planned a vacation this year, we were pretty much ready to take what was left accommodation wise, but I saw oodles of lovely places to stay, if I'd booked earlier. We got ourselves a simple house for the week and it was grand, we were out and about every day anyhow, so it was fine, but like everywhere else on the planet, things are expensive this weather and a little forward planning would have been wise...lol...

Got some nice pics which I hope to share, if you don't mind...this one above is the view towards Dingle from along the coast. Below is a pic of the first thing that comes to my mind every time I think of County Kerry - the hedges, miles and miles of lovely fuschia hedges, my favourite hedge flower. I have a bank of fuschia at the back of my house, it's my one wee tenuous link to my favourite places in Ireland. As I'm doing the dishes, I'm looking at the hedge and wishing I was in Kerry....


Below is one of the many, many ancient sites on the Dingle peninsula, Kilmalkedar Church. Associated with St Brendan, it's a beautiful quiet spot, with Ogham stones, an ancient sundial and an alphabet stone. I'd love to spend a few months just traipsing around Ireland, taking snaps of ancient places.


I have a few more snaps if you are interested...it'll keep us going until the ink dries on my latest card anyhow....

hope it tickles!

35 comments:

  1. The photos are lovely, esp the first one. Kerry is beautiful, so glad you had a good time. I share your love of the fuschia hedges.

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  2. Ah! If i had known you were coming I would have put the kettle on!

    Vicky (just down from Kilmalkedar.)

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  3. oh Claire, these pics are out of a movie. gorgeous. so glad you had a well deserved break.

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  4. Ooooh, please keep sharing! I don't know if I'll ever get to make the trip there, so I will have to live vicariously! :). Beautiful pics!! Just beautiful!

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  5. oh how i miss living in ireland! don't get me wrong i love being back home in toronto; but there is just something about ireland, it hooks you in somehow!!

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  6. Oh wow, this looks so pretty :-)

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  7. Hi Claire

    Looks like you guys had a wonderful time love the pictures. Its been nearly 15 years since I went to Ireland and remember it dearly. I attended a friends wedding in Tipperary had so much fun. Will have to visit again sometime. Would love to see more lovely pictures Claire Ireland is so beautiful and scenic.
    Hugs Rizwana xx

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  8. Absolutely gorgeous! I think I need to visit Ireland.

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  9. I have an unconditional love for anything ancient, crumbling buildings & its mysteries... Great Britain is the place to be and I'd move there if I could choose the one perfect place to live :) I've been to Ireland and I was taken with its rugged landscapes, folklore and stone buildings/walls. You're one lucky gal! <3

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  10. I hope one day to see these sights with my OWN eyes, but until then, I'll be happy to see any pics you want to share.

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  11. Welcome home, Claire! I'll love seeing any pictures you share!

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  12. I live in a high desert so the green photos of your lush land are refreshing and most welcome. Hope you had a nice break!

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  13. I can't imagine how breathtaking these little corners of the world are in person... Thanks for sharing... Keep em coming! :)

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  14. I love these posts, Claire! They make me long for an overseas vacation, but until then, I can live through your photos :)

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  15. I'm of Irish ancestry and I so hope to visit Ireland some day. Thanks for posting this beautiful photos and do yes post more.

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  16. I love to see more pic's, and i'm very glad that you enjoyed your vacation.

    Hugs Yvon.

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  17. Great photos ,keep them coming. Ive never been to Ireland
    But would love to vist, until then i will have to look at your pictures. Many thanks.

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  18. when I see your pictures I want to come to Ireland. Next year to the States, but the year after I would like to visit Ireland. Nice pictures. Love from Holland.

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  19. Oh, Claire...
    I LOVE when you post pics of "Your Island" :)
    I always think of the character Stephen in "Braveheart" when I think of this :)...
    but I just get lost in the photos and the stories you tell about this gorgeous place that was truly blessed by the hand of God...
    breathtaking!
    Even my husband and kids will come to read these posts and gaze at the photos...
    we enjoy them so much and would love to see more!! :)
    Thank you so much for sharing with us all across the pond!
    Hugs!!

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  20. these posts are wonderful; i get to see a lil bit of ireland through you until i one day can make it out there. thanks for sharing and i hope you had plenty of time to recuperate and enjoy your family!

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  21. Wonderful photos Claire - and Dingle is just the best - years since I was there too....you will get fuchia/fuschia in Donegal too....how many spellings are there of that little ballerina anyhow? Around here they are just called 'fewshe's'!! Glad you got a break.

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  22. So lovely!! I'd LOVE to visit Ireland before I die!

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  23. Beautiful pics of your travels Claire, I hope to holiday in Ireland in the next year or too, visit the rellies etc! And yes please, can we have some more..pics that is!

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  24. You're going to get me daydreaming Claire!!! Gorgeous photos - so rich in beauty and history!

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  25. Thanks for the lovely pictures, Claire. I bet your family enjoyed having you full time for the week.
    I think that we all need you to take these trips so we can enjoy your photos...they are so beautiful.

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  26. Lovely pictures...thank you for sharing them. Would love to visit Ireland some day!!! We have fuchsias in our yard too...native to Oregon, USA. They grow quite large, but in bush form....probably could be a hedge if planted closetogether. Mine are red with purple throats, and one that is a light pink. Of course, also have hybrid types with larger flowers as well. The nice thing is the deer don't bother the native fuchsia!
    Paper Hugs,
    Jan

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  27. Just wanted to say I hope that you had a wonderful time and that I love the photos! I would love to see more--Ireland is just beautiful!

    Chris L.

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  28. loved my trip to Dingle - now I want to go back more than ever! So glad you had a good time.

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  29. Oh Claire! Gorgeous and stunning photos all! Ireland is so magical to me and I hope to visit one day! So lovely to live vicariously through your pictures in the meantime!!!

    I cannot get over the fuschia hedges! I grow one in my yard to attract hummingbirds and just love them!! But I have never seen them in their native setting - so very breathtakingly beautiful!!!

    I hope we get to see more! Thanks for sharing!!!

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  30. Superb photos Claire. I love the view towards Dingle, so atmospheric. And the fuschia hedges are just magnificent - one of my favourite flowers. Looks like you've had a great time and I would love to see more of Ireland - please!!

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  31. I would so like to visit Ireland. Your pictures are just gorgeous, Claire! Love when you post them. I'm so glad you enjoyed your break. You really desired it!

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  32. I love that photo of Kilmalkedar Church, the green grass is so striking against the gray colors of the church. You must have had such a great time on your vacation...you deserved it!

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  33. These are lovely pics Claire - I really must go back one of these days. My boys would love it there! Hope you have a wonderful time - you certainly deserve a lovely break away with the family :). Hugs x

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  34. What a wonderful trip and I'm so glad you got the little getaway! The hedges are beautiful!!

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Thanks for taking the time to comment, :) I read them all and I appreciate you taking time to visit!