May 27th, Killarney to Gougana Barra

Ross Castle

Well, we hit a bad day of weather. It got better as the day went on but I am very happy I was in a car, not riding. The guys got very wet. We are also fairly short on pictures for the day. We started in Killarney. I tried to go to Ross Castle and the Muckross House and Gardens but both places only did tours and I really didn't want to wait around an hour at either place. So hopefully, we will time them better on the trip back to Killarney on our way home and we will get to see them then.

Needless to say, we are lacking pictures on the day. The route took us off N71 and onto back roads through part of the Killarney National Park and towards Lough Guitane a beautiful lake that would  look better without the rain.

They climbed via back roads to this pub which unfortunately was not open since it would have been nice to get out of the rain, but we all met there and we were able to get this picture of them at the highest point in the Kilarney National Park.

From there it was off through the wilds. Our directions said to make sure took the fork to the left. I waited there for the guys because I wasn't sure it was made for a car! But the yield sign for cars going the other way said otherwise so off we went. It was like biking or driving through a woods. Further along, it widened out a bit and the foliage allowed better views.






The hotel that we were staying in was in the middle of nowhere in the Gougana Barra Forest. It was an old family run hotel which was wonderful. The hospitality could not have been more unbelievable.

The guys had rooms that looked over the lake, mine the mountain and sheep. And the rooms had bathtubs! Bed and Breakfasts through out Ireland have showers, usually tiny little showers and bathrooms. But when you find one with a bathtub, they are large enough to stretch out and soak! For me, finding rooms with a bathtub is a treat!

Because of the location, diner and breakfast were in the dining room. Excellent meal! While the hotel is a family business, Neill and Katie are the family that run it. Katie is the cook and we had an incredible dinner.

The garden had a sea monster overlooking the lake that Scott tamed.







The rain had finally ended in the afternoon so we all took walks, some longer than others. (Okay, when I am with the guys, I look like a real slacker!) It is a beautiful property around the lake including 2 homes of family members, a church and a grave yard.

This has definitely been one of my favorites from any of my Ireland trips.