We have been working hard putting plans in place for 2022 that will enable businesses who provide eco friendly services, products or events to sell them online and will enable people to support local business and sustainable practices to buy and book these offerings online – easily and securely.
So if you either provide or are interested in nature friendly events, green services & sustainably sourced products such as:
Lock down has been tough so when we saw an opening to get out and explore we decided to choose the Waterford Greenway as it wasn’t too far of a drive from Dublin & Wexford to get there and we also found a great all inclusive package with The Park Hotel Dungarvan which made it a no-brainer! Staff were so friendly.. Room was gorgeous with surprise gifts 🎁 😍 Breakfast in the outdoor gardens was right up our alley.. absolutely LOVED it.. great value and would highly recommend a stay here.. package deal of overnight, dinner, breakfast PLUS bike rental delivery from The Greenway Man 🚲 What more could you ask for…
Cheers to Marie at The Moorings. We stepped out for a meal on our first evening to The Moorings bar and restaurant located on the Dungarvan quayside. Wowser… 😍 super location and spoilt by beautiful sunset while having a lovely meal and couple of well deserved glasses of lemonade.
Thursday Morning we set off at about 10am having collected our bikes from the very nice Garvan Cummins of www.thegreenwayman.com along with a map. The trail begins across the road from the hotel (to the right) and so it was easy to find – we followed the other cyclists in front of us to make sure we were on the right path at the beginning – tiny bit confusing there.. and off we went!
We were lucky with the weather – it was a nice sunny day but not too hot and NO RAIN! We took it easy stopping off as we travelled to admire the treetops below us at some parts, the fairy houses with kids’ names on, the echoes of the tunnels.. There was a pit stop halfway with toilets and coffee available.
We cycled as far as Kilmacthomas workhouse where we stopped for FaBUloUS Lunch at Coachhouse Coffee Shop (GREAT food & value) and then back to Dungarvan.
I gotta admit after sitting down to eat the cycle back seemed slightly daunting. Linda is very fit (she is a mountaineer and often hikes 17Km or more) whereas I would say I am more average fitness level.. However, I thought back to my pre-Covid spinning classes and just DUG DEEP! Once I got my rhythm back I was grand. All in all we cycled 50KM that day – we stopped at Clonea beach for quick swim 🏊♂️ on the way back – brr but fab. ♥️🌊
A great day finished off with a delicious dinner at The Park Hotel and an early night! The next day I had to scoot off to Dublin to visit my twins’ allotment but Linda popped over to Mahon Falls for a short walk. Can’t wait to go back and do Dungarvan to Waterford Greenway 🚲
When accommodation is full why not consider house swapping?
Ireland is finally opening up a little but already people are finding it hard to book a staycation – Ideally we all want to support and stay with eco friendly accommodation providers, be it camping, glamping or the full on guesthouse / hotel experience – however sometimes on certain dates there’s simply no availability!
We love this site where you can list your house and swap with other travelers across the world – check it out at www.lovehomeswap.com
Walking out into the Irish sea….this is definitely up there as one of my favourite walks in Dublin.
This particular area consists of 3 very iconic Dublin landmarks. The 2 Chimneys (aka: Poolbeg Stacks, The Twin Stacks), the Great South Wall itself and Poolbeg Lighthouse. These features are a welcome sight for any Irish flying home into Dublin.
While it’s a recognisable scene from the air, it’s not as easy to locate when on the ground!
In order to reach this area you have to travel through a large industrial area that consists of, alongside container, transport and recycling companies, it also consists of the large ESB (Electricity) Power Plant, the Dublin Waste plant and some wicked smells!
It is well worth the search though!
Google search for Pigeon House Road, Shelly Banks Car Park or the Great south wall– any of these will get you into the general area
A time guide – If you park at Shelly Banks car park, the return walk is just under 5km which on average can take an hour to walk
This walk comes under different names such as Poolbeg Lighthouse walk, Great South Wall walk, South Bull Wall and I’m pretty sure there would be plenty other names if I went searching..
Regular storms battering the Wall and Lighthouse
According to records the Great Wall itself was eventually built by 1795. Today as you walk the wall you will be walking along large granite rocks which were brought across the water from Dalkey quarry. The wall is uneven and broken up in parts due to regular beatings it takes from the sea during storms…. to me though, this just adds to the tremendous character of this walk.
Speaking of character, this whole area is so full of character and magnificent sights.
As you walk the wall out to sea towards Poolbeg lighthouse you can’t help but notice the heather covered hills of Howth out front to your left. While closer to your left, just beyond the North Wall and the green North Bull lighthouse, you have Dollymount Strand that stretches 5km along the length of North Bull Island. North Bull island itself is accessed by a wooden bridge (built in 1819) and holds more titles than any other location in the country. (National Bird Sanctuary, a biosphere reserve, National Nature Reserve, Special Protection Area under the EU Birds Directive and Special Area of Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive) It too, is truly well worth a visit..
Half Moon 5 Gun Battery station
“Nesting Birds. Do Not Disturb”
Continuing your walk, while breathing in the fresh sea air, you might notice the birdlife all around you.
One variety of bird seen in this area is the Tern which ranges from the Common and Artic Tern to rarities such as the White-winged Black Tern. Terns have been nesting in Dublin Port for up to fifty years. The Dublin Port company have now provided 4 structures in the area for them to nest in. Keep an eye out for them as you walk.
Further along, about one km you will come to what is now the Half Moon Swimming Club. This was originally a gun battery named the Half Moon Battery due to the shape of the gun turret. During the 19th century and english rule, the gun battery was used as further protection (alongside the Pigeon House Fort which was located nearer the start of the wall) against any incoming attacks to Dublin Port.
A further 800m from the Half Moon swimming club you will reach Poolbeg Lighthouse.
This iconic large red lighthouse was built in 1768, rebuilt and redesigned in 1820, went from candlelight to oil and is now fully automated and managed by the Dublin Port Company unlike most other lighthouses which are managed by Irish Lights. Painted red indicating Portside (left side) to incoming ships while the North wall lighthouse opposite is green indicating Starboard (right side) to incoming ships.
Take time out here to soak in your surrounding sights, looking back into Dublin port and watching for ships entering and leaving the port. Its stepping away from the main land and sitting watching the world go by.. Whatever the weather, it is one special place to visit. Switch off / time out..
The return walk back to land is equally as scenic with views of Dalkey island, the iconic Dun Leary Piers, the Sugar Loaf mountain rolling into the Wicklow and Dublin mountains all on your left.
On doing some further research as to why the wall was built it brought me in touch with interesting information..
The Great South wall was built to stop major silting issues in Dublin Port. The port was not very accessible for incoming ships due to strong weather conditions and constant silting and sand banks resulting in lack of depth for ships to sail. In 1717 they first attempted a wooden wall consisting of large wooden posts and heavy bags of boulders which over time proved ineffective against storms. They proceeded then, in 1761 to build a stone wall starting from the Poolbeg lighthouse and work back to land using large granite boulders brought across the water from Dalkey quarry.
Alongside the South wall they then built the North Wall which in turn reaches out to the green North Wall lighthouse opposite Poolbeg lighthouse. The two walls worked a treat together. They now protect entering ships from strong winds and high waves. More importantly no sand has blocked the channel entry to Dublin Port since.
After the walls were built, the sand that normally entered and blocked Dublin Port was now being pushed north of the port. It created what is now known as North Bull Island (mentioned above)
During the building of the Great South Wall, a storehouse was built to store materials. The caretaker who lived in this storehouse, John Pigeon later converted it into a tavern and then a hotel The Pigeon House Hotel. The Hotel provided food and bed to travellers and sailors coming in from long sea voyages. It also became a very popular restaurant to Dubliners.
Soon after, just at the end of the 18th century the english army requisitioned this whole area “The Pigeon House Precinct” and used it as a military fort with drawbridge entry. It became known as The Pigeon House Fort. Further defended by the Half Moon 5 gun Battery located along the wall towards Poolbeg Lighthouse. During this time the Pigeon House Hotel became the officers quarters. Alongside the quarters was an armory, a hospital, a prison, a magazine & store house. The fort remained under military control until the end of the 19th century when the land and buildings were then bought by the Dublin Corporation. The remains of the Pigeon House fort are a protected structure.
Old Poolbeg House Fort. The Great South Wall is actually 4.8km. Most now lies within Port facilities and ESB plant. 1.5km is accessible to public.
The tall chimneys (aka Poolbeg Stacks, The Twin Stacks, Laurel and Hardy) were built in 1971. They were designed to minimise atmospheric pollution coming from the ESB Power Plant. They became and still are to-date a famous landmark on the capital’s skyline and have featured in many films, TV adverts and even in one of U2’s music video’s (In the name of love). Decommissioned in 2010, the Irish people nearly lost their reason when the ESB announced they were thinking of knocking these two “ugly obsolete relics”. Much to the peoples relief, the Dublin icons are now, since 2014 listed as protected structure’s.
Its actually a super evening walk in the Dublin hills. With a little planning you can make the experience even more special. Experience sunset in the west, moonrise from the east and a full moon all in one evening! (check online for sites that will tell you sunset and moonrise times in Ireland)
A little note of caution.. If planning a moonlight walk – always travel with people or let people know where you are going. Bring torches. Spare layers for temperature drops. A drink and a small snack. Know your route well before going anywhere in the dusk! Have a phone and spare battery pack (or spare phone) with you. Use your head and don’t put yourself in any risk or danger. Be prepared for “just in case”. What would you need if you were to get lost or have an injury on route?
This is a beautiful natural local amenity nestled in the Dublin mountains. It is visited by locals on a regular basis. Park at the Hell Fire Car park. Anyone can easily negotiate the forest trail to the top where they will find the ruins of the Hell Fire House standing looking out over amazing views stretching out over Dublin city and the east coast.
The land is owned by Coillte. It is called Mount Pelier Hill but better known by locals as the Hell Fire Club.
The main route up to the Hell Fire Club is forest path. You can at any stage disappear off into the many small forest tracks with the hope of spotting wild deer, fox, red squirrels, rabbits or hares. Kids (and adults of course!) always love these little trails in amongst the sky high spruce trees. It adds to the excitement of being outdoors.
Any walk around the Hell fire will not need huge fitness levels. It is a beautiful natural wild habitat, generally used by families, dog walkers & locals who visit to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
The HellFire Club house itself (originally called Mount Pelier but known mostly to the locals as The HellFire Club) dates back to the 18th century. It was originally built as a hunting lodge by a man called William Conolly who at the time was Speaker at the Irish House of Commons.
The House itself was built on top of a Passage Grave which after further excavations in 2016 is now believed to be similar in size to the Passage Grave in Newgrange and possibly dating back over 5000 years. At the time Conolly built the House he used stones from the passage grave in the construction. Soon after the house was built a great storm hit and blew the original roof off the building. Local superstition believed this was an act of revenge by the aggrieved spirits for disturbing the ancient Cairn. I mean who can blame them!
Today, what remains of the passage grave can be seen to the rear of the house in the form of a circular mound with a dip at the centre.
The House has so many facts and stories entwined within its history it’s hard to tell which is fact and which is fiction. It’s believed because the house was in such a remote area that it attracted immoral groups and meetings such as the Hellfire Club. The groups consisted of high society statesmen and aristocrats who followed a motto “Do as you will…”. There are stories of sex, drinking, prostitution, gambling, devil worshipping, satanic black masses, animal sacrifices, murders and much more… There are many favourite devil stories passed down through families over the years especially the story of how he appeared one night in the form of a stranger, joined in a game of cards only later to disappear in a ball of flame. It seems like whatever went on in these meetings within the house was never talked about openly (What happens in the meetings stays in the meetings!) and we are left only with tales of mystery and flagrant carry on lingering around the ruins of the house on top of the hill. Were these groups actual devil worshippers or were they free thinkers just vilified in this manner by gossip, rumours and media.
Whatever the stories, whatever the history, it makes for an even more interesting Moonlighting walk experience up at the Hell Fire Club!
There are currently plans for development in this area which will include a large scale visitor / interpretive centre to cater for up to 300,000 visitors per annum, an associated car park, cafe, a treetop walkway and more.
Local residents and community groups have strongly expressed opposition to this plan believing “..that this proposal by South Dublin County Council will have a catastrophic impact upon an already beautiful and natural amenity and its surrounding environs. To learn more about why they believe this, visit “Save the Hellfire”
Walk from Tibradden Wood over to Two Rock Mountain (Fairy Hill) and return by the same route.
The Dublin Mountain Way is actually a 42km waymarked trail stretching across the Dublin Mountains. It goes from Tallaght west over to Shankill in the east (or vice versa, whichever start suits best). The highest point of this Trail is 536m (1,759ft) at Fairy Castle. If you are interested in doing the full route check here Dublin Mountain Way for further details.
This particular route I have written about is just a little slice of the Dublin Mountain Way. It is a beautiful route for visitors and native Irish to explore. A real hidden gem just 40 minutes outside from the hustle and bustle of Dublin’s busy city centre.
While travelling this route you will witness Spectacular views.
At high points along the trail you will witness the east coast of Ireland stretching both north and south of Dublin City. North of Dublin City you will see sights such as Dublin Bay, the 2 iconic chimneys , Howth Peninsula, Lambay Island and so much more. South of the city you will see Sandycove beach stretching along to Dun Laoghaire and its 2 iconic piers. Bringing the eye further south you will see sights such as Killiney Hill, Bray head, Greystones beach stretching all the way down south to Wicklow town.
When you turn your eye away from the east coastline you will be viewing spectacular views of the Dublin hills stretching out into the Wicklow mountains.
2 historic points along the route: Close to Tibradden top you will see a prehistoric site. A chambered Cairn. The burial Urn retrieved from this Cairn can be found at the National Museum of Ireland. On arrival to 2 Rock Mountain (Fairy Hill) you will see a Cairn and a Trig Pillar sitting on a raised mound covered with turf and heather. This mound is the remains of a Passage Tomb. (The entrance to this tomb can no longer be seen due to collapse)
The trail consists of forest paths, boardwalk and stoney paths. The land itself is of granite nature which can be noted along the route. You will pass through mixed woodland area’s of Scots pine, Japanese larch, European larch, Sitka spruce, oak and beech. The shrubby heather areas with no trees that you pass through are important breeding habitats for birds including the red grouse.
The walk is not hugely strenuous height wise, but a certain level of fitness is definitely required as its 10km in length.
You will be on track all the way so the walk can be done with good sturdy runners / walking shoes.
This route passes over the famous Wicklow Way (Another waymarked walking trail stretching over the Dublin & Wicklow mountains)
This is not a circular route. You return from Fairy Hill back the way you came. The views are just as stunning on the return route!
It’s Ireland so always bring a raincoat and other rain-gear if you have some. Hat, scarf and gloves if doing the walk out of summer time. A snack, sandwich and flask of tea is always nice to have! There are plenty of scenic spots along the way to stop and enjoy a cuppa and soak up the views.
If you’re looking for a unique holiday that offers eco fun, food and friendship then may I suggest the following!
Camping at Clifden Eco Campsite with shopping and dining in Clifden followed by a trip to nearby Inisbofin for a walk back through time and wonderful food.
My good Pal Linda and I set off for my first ever camping trip to celebrate my 47th birthday two weeks ago. First of all, having never been camping apart from out my back garden once or twice, I had to buy a tent that would keep me dry and warm without breaking the bank as we were on a budget. Life is a budget! Now, Linda is an experienced camper, and a mountain guide (and a mountain rescue volunteer – isn’t she cool?!!) so she had all the other bits for cooking etc and advised me on getting a small tent to start, to see if I liked camping. Wise words as I, having delved into the incredibly HUGE world of camping and tents had fallen for the new style Vango Airbeam tents, which still interest me but for a beginner it is wise to buy a regular tent.. So, I bought myself an Inis 200 (two man tent) online from The Outdoor Store for approx 65 Euro.
Our loose Itinerary ( thank you Linda) was as follows:
Sunday: Arrive and set up tents, then go for a stroll to Omey Island with birthday dinner afterwards in Clifden.
Monday: Camp breakfast then go to Inisbofin and spend the day there returning for takeaway and some bubbly.
Tuesday: Camp breakfast, walk on Diamond Hill, head home after lunch in Clifden.
So that was the plan… lol – Do you recall that there was a ‘bit of a storm’ that weekend?… more to follow on that later…
Well, we did make it down in good time for Sunday and decided to have a stroll around the town before heading out to Clifden Eco Beach Campsite (whom you may recall we met in 2014 on our EcoTour ). We popped into the ConnOMara shop and met Leo, one half of the couple owned business, who’s wife designs and creates the fabulous merchandise featuring the character Conn O’Mara! I have discovered that I have a sock fetish I think – and so purchased some gorgeously girlie woolly socks!
We headed out to Clifden Eco Beach Campsite and met Tatjana and Kris who gave us a lovely spot right in front of the water – I was a teeny bit nervous as I have a bit of a fear of the water but Kris assured me not to worry. We set up our tents and headed off for a walk across the coastline to Omey Island – where they were holding Bingo on the beach! There were cars and tractors all in attendance and when someone got Bingo they all beeped madly! It was a real Fr Ted moment I tell Ya!
The Campsite was really busy and the guys were saying they had the busiest late season ever as Irish people discovered camping! Recommend it for families and it is dog friendly too
It was a lovely walk albeit with both my biggest fears surrounding me – water and cattle – but very enjoyable. That evening we drove into Clifden for my birthday dinner at EJ Kings Bar and Restaurant. The food was really good and the place was busy enough with Covid restrictions in place etc. Early to bed then as we were up to get the ferry in the morning.
We were incredibly lucky with the weather the next morning as the sun was shining and it was a warm day. We cooked up our brekkie before setting off to Cleggan Pier – a short 15 minute drive from the campsite – to get the ferry to Inisbofin. There are carparks with attendants who will ask how long you are visiting the island for – some people go for an overnight stay etc – and you can thus leave your car in Cleggan for the duration at a small fee.
It was really busy with a lot of tourists waiting to get on board. We all had our masks on and disinfected our hands etc before we boarded. A calm sea made for a pleasurable journey across – took about 30-40 minutes and we landed.
Linda is an old hand at these trips so she had me ready to depart as soon as she figured which gate they were gonna use to let us out (lol) so we were first off and headed to the left from the ferry to begin our island stroll.
We realised we were a tad hungry though so decided to stop outside a hotel up the road a bit and have tea and scones – we got a table by the sea – the views were so incredible – and enjoyed our little break before the masses arrived. Then off we set, powered up with delicious home baked jammy scones.
Inisbofin is a really peaceful island, living there must be difficult especially without tourism. We did speak to a few of the locals who said that there had been a debate on the island whether to allow tourists or not what with Covid and it had been decided to do so although all were not happy with that choice. Understandably so.
On the other hand many were happy to see tourists as this was their only form of income and they really needed to make the most of these windows of potential sales. One thing is for sure – everybody has (finally) realised the potential and value of a good e-commerce site to bring in business whatever the world may throw at you.
We walked for about 3 hours before returning to the starting point and decided to forgo our takeaway in favour of having a bite to eat at The Beach Hotel and Restaurant before the ferry departed in another hour.
What a pleasant surprise- the food was REALLY REALLY delicious and the staff lovely , despite being rushed off their feet. One I would recommend for sure!
There was much amusement as a farmer delivered a couple of sheep to be taken by boat to the mainland – not a sight you see every day!
Once the ferry arrived again around 5pm we headed back to the mainland to the campsite – where we were informed about an impending storm…
Tatjana and Kris had mentioned to us earlier in the day about high winds expected that evening – they suggested we make sure the tents were very well pegged down using sand pegs – (which you can buy there, 6 for a tenner I think) but assured us that we should be ok with the car beside us to break the wind and as our tents were quite low they should be fine too. It turned out to be Storm Francis that arrived that night..
When we arrived back from Insibofin Linda and I had a nap in our respective tents, then, later on that evening after refreshing, we prepared for the high winds.. I must admit I felt much safer once I had put in the sand pegs as they really made the tent feel stable in the sand. We had some snacks and a bottle of bubbly which we opened which may have helped our lack of concern for blowing away in the night
Off to bed and so it began.. The wind began to howl and every scary movie I had ever seen or even imagined that involved sea creatures gliding up from the murky waters began to fill my brain as I lay in my tent – unable to see what was going on outside and feeling the wind begin to creep to the nape of my neck inside the tent.. This was my second (ever) night camping. Admittedly it was pretty exciting too and around 10pm we heard Kris outside as he was checking if we were ok and was happy to report that our tents looked like they would be fine. And our tents were – amazingly fine!
At around 3am (neither of us had fallen asleep yet – the NOISE of the wind was like being in an airplane engine) – I heard Linda shouting at me – “Roz I am getting into the car!” EEK- Just me left in the tent by the sea in a storm – NO WAY! I gathered my blanket and raced out to join her. There we could see all the flashlights of everyone as they were securing or – on occasion chasing – their tents. One family whom I had met earlier no longer had a tent and were all packed into their jeep- well, I did suggest he needed to make it sturdier at the time.. ho hum.
It was quite an experience and after about an hour things were slightly less manic so we both headed back into our still standing tents and (finally) fell fast asleep.
Needless to say the following morning – in the rain – we decided to skip Diamond mountain and instead just pack up and head home…
All in all though, a great Eco Adventure on the Wild Atlantic Way!
“Come to Leitrim – It could change your life!” says Michael Harding in a beautiful new video launched today showcasing Leitrim as a place to visit, enjoy, explore and experience but also as an invigorating and vibrant place to live and work.
The video was created by Edwina Guckian of Dreoilín Productions along with artists Michael Harding, Eleanor Shanley, Seamus O Rourke and Charlie McGettigan who each share their thoughts and values of what makes this county such a treasure.
“The piece is a very honest, artistic response to our diverse county. Each of us involved are very passionate about our home and promote it across the world wherever we are performing. And it is when we are on the other side of the world we really feel the draw of Leitrim calling us home.” – Edwina Guckian
It’s not until you slow down and take the time to explore it that you really see Leitrim’s hidden treasures. The land, the water, the people, the communities, the towns and villages, the lilt of our language, the music, song and dance, the easy pace of life, the welcome; we tried to capture it all and show the world the wealth of what Leitrim gives us and how lucky we are to live here. What we have is very special. As Seamus O Rourke said, In Leitrim you’re allowed to breathe, and be the better for being yourself.”
“This video articulates the wonderful way of life in Leitrim; in nature, in landscape, in environment and people. It goes hard in hand with sustainable tourism which is one of the most important elements of our economy, supporting local employment, food producers, farmers and the hardworking Leitrim business owners. We want to share the message that Leitrim is a wonderful and safe place to visit, work and live.” – Joe Dolan of The Bush Hotel.
We are calling on the people of Leitrim, near and far and those that have visited us from across the world to share this video on their social media using the hashtag #EnjoyLeitrim
Are you interested in learning about bee friendly flowers you can grow at home, incredible food created from your own produce or taste how incredibly delicious & versatile snails are! Then get along to Bumblebee Flower Farms’ Open Day on the 16th August 2020.
Includes a tour, a talk with Mags, tastings of edible produce created by Eddie Attwell as well as more tastings and talk from Eva and Eoin from Gaelic Escargot. A lovely opportunity to share and meet like-minded folks in beautiful West Cork!
Dine Like A Druid on this Seaweed, Coastal and Hedgerow Wild Food Forage & Feast.
Join The Sea Gardener as we forage for wild food on land and shore and enjoy the foods eaten by the earliest settler’s on the Waterford Coast. Learn how to identify edibles and gather wild food as we forage for seaweed and wild plants to be enjoyed as part of our cook up. We’ll enjoy wild foods such as Blackberries, Haws, Orache, Knotweed, Sea purslane, Sea Beet/Wild mushroom/Hazelnut tarts; Periwinkles, Raw Fraughan and Hazelnut Cake, Haw Jelly, Hedgerow Jam and Wild mushrooms amongst others, all washed down with Yarrow tea, Dandelion Root Coffee, Beech Noyeau, Local Metalman Ale and Elderflower Cordial!
Just back from a lovely trip to Coomarkane visitor centre in Glengarriff. Was glamping! Took my 13 year old daughter with me. We were able to cook on the campfire. Everything was very eco friendly with compost toilets and covid restrictions in place. Peace and quiet was lovely. Definitely need a car! We were there for 2 nights. First evening we built the campfire, was great fun collecting sticks from the lane and we made potatoes wrapped in tin foil, threw them in the fire, then we had a kettle and a pot. Fried sausages in that and then put beans in was delicious. The potatoes cooked perfectly! All cutlery is in the little shared kitchen and they also had a little fridge for each cabin. (Only 2 cabins on the site) Toilet is outside which was fun. Solar lights led the way but they did provide a torch also in the cabin. Cabin had tv and dvds but we didn’t turn tv on once.
Next day we had a toasted sandwich at a cafe and beside the cafe was a little boutique called B/Apparel run by a really stylish lady (Beatrice). My daughter bought a lovely jacket. Next we went to visit a friend Mags at Bumblebee flower farm which was about 30 mins away. When we got back we lit the fire again but only made tea as we had a big dinner. Casey’s Hotel seemed to be the popular spot for eating as it was booked up so good to know to book in advance especially with covid restrictions.
We went to Poeleen forest for a walk and it was beautiful. The waterfall walk isn’t far and the river is gorgeous so peaceful and perfect for our little picnic.
We took the trip to Garnish Islands next morning – takes about 15 minutes. Beautiful island with high italian influence. Beautiful gardens too. There is a cafe on the island with basic sandwiches and tea etc.
Seeing the seals on the trip over was a highlight. Next stop was to Kinsale where I was visiting another friend. We ate in the Blue Haven Kinsale delicious meal and we stayed in the Pier House Guesthouse which was almost 5 star in my opinion. Tea and coffee and ice all available and a lovely area to sit and chill. The decor was very shabby chic/Sea themed highly recommend. Power shower was very welcome too!
