Killarney and Ring of Kerry on chauffeurdriven tour with dovechauffeurdrive

Yesterday we were off to the Ring of Kerry, with our first stop at Torc Waterfall just outside of Killarney. This is a pretty hard tour for me, as this is a young and very energetic group of teetotalers.  Well, not complete teetotalers, but only a few pints at night. Here we are, all pictured together with the Torc waterfall in the background.
From the left, we have,
Yours truly, Joe, Jean, Paul, Betsy, Barbara and Lee. 
We all look pretty well wrapped up, but the day was actually really nice. Typical Irish weather.

I took this picture of Joe, taken up by the beauty of his surroundings, and singing "Oh what a beautiful morning". What a special moment.

All happy together in the forest at Torc.

Ladies view is a really special, and most beautiful place to visit, and no wonder, that Queen Victoria declared it to be "The most beautiful view in the Kingdom".

What a beautiful photo, perfection in every way. Even the scenery is lovely.

You just might get this one from Betsy at Christmas. Standing boldly on a rock at Ladies View, like the great Queen Maeve of Connacht long ago, and definitely making a statement, "Don't mess with me".

Lee likes to wander a little, likes to have a little space, as he takes his own special photos. Nice one Lee.

She's off again. Now, who said what this time?

A lovely picture of the group, on the hillside overlooking the spot at the top end of the lakes, where they boarded their boats yesterday at Lord Brandon's cottage.

Betsy, examining this Rhododendron bush, which she discovered, and which marked the spot where somebody from the Boston had left a memorial card to a loved one. A nice tribute in a beautiful spot.

 Here we are together again at Moll's Gap, at the top of the mountains. To the right of the group in the far off distance, we have the gap in the mountains, which we know as the Gap of Dunloe, and where my pals were yesterday, as the crossed the top on their way down to their boat at the lakes.
Note that Jean is back with us again, (on the left, back row)

Finally we arrived back to the elegant and famous Muckross House, where Queen Victoria stayed during her visit to Killarney. Here we are, all together with the house in the background.

This was another great day, and one we all enjoyed. Last night they rounded off this great day at the Killarney racecourse venue for the Celtic Steps, a show not to be missed, if you are in Killarney, featuring the best of Irish music, song, and dance.

Chauffeurdriven tour in Ireland with dovechauffeurdrive

The Gap of Dunloe tour is one of the most spectacular tours you can take when visiting Ireland. It is a journey through an ancient road which was carved through the Kerry mountains by a giant glacier during the ice age. The first half of your journey, you make on the horse drawn carts or buggies, and then you board your open boats, which take you down through the lakes of Killarney, and back into Killarney at the famous Ross castle.

 The horse and cart journey begins at Kate Kearney's cottage at the entrance to the Gap of Dunloe. In the picture above, we have Jean, Betsy and Joe, with their horse and cart and Jarvey, in the background. The Jarvey is the guy who drives your cart, and these guys are also your guide and entertainer. Note how everybody has plenty of protective clothing on to protect themselves against the sun.

Almost a group photo, as poor Lee had been given the job of taking this picture. He did do well through. From the left we have, Joe, Barbara, Betsy, Paul, and Jean.

 A lovely view back down the Gap road, showing one of the magical lakes you encounter as you journey towards the Gap at the top of the mountains. My group wanted to ride heir own horse also but because they were all over thirty years of age they were refused permission.

 Is this the top? Not quiet yet, but just take it easy for another while and all will be well.

 Hurray, they made it to Lord Brandon's cottage where they were now able to hydrate and refresh their horse with some Guinness.

 Now why did Jean go off like that? What did i say? Will they ever get used to our Irish sense of humour? Come on Jean, the boat is leaving in a minute.

 All aboard and fitting on their life jackets. I see Jean is there also. Maybe it was not me after all. It usually is though.Ahh well....

 Is that a dog i see in the boat with Jean? Maybe that is what she wanted, and now all looks well.

 All set and ready to go. Their Boatman is Ducksy, real name Donal (Irish). Donal Duck, Get it?

 Now what....where is our boatman gone. The good news is that they did get away and arrived back in Killarney safe and well, and more than excited about this wonderful trip. They really are a happy lot.

The final leg of their journey back to dry land at Ross Castle on the shores of Lough Leane in Killarney. That's me at the top window of the castle keeping a look-out for their boat. Can you see me? Right at the top? Maybe i was just gone. Ahh well.

What a great day they all had. All they need now is a good feed and a few pints to wash that down. And all they say about us Irish and the drink. The less said the better.

If you want to talk to me about anything just send me a message. I am not that bad really. I think i am not anyway.
Tomorrow its Ladies View in the Kerry mountains, and Muckross House in the National Park. More about that then.

Gray to Cliffs of Moher and Killarney

Today we left Kinvara as we began our journey to the south. Our first destination was the Cliffs of Moher, despite the fact that the day was foggy and misty, and that is not the best weather to visit the cliffs.

 My gallant band of warriors, braving the conditions, with the mighty Cliffs of Moher in the background. Just because you cannot see them does not mean that they are not there. It was disappointing but they were all great, and managed to have a laugh at the whole thing. There was no chance of it clearing, but at least we did enjoy a walk, and the fresh air.
From the left here, we have, Jean, Cormack, one of the cliff rangers, who was really most helpful , Barbara and Paul, Joe and Betsy, and finally Lee.

 Our wind blown ladies, posing for this outdoor look photo. At least they do look happy.

 We just could not miss this opportunity to take a picture of Paul and Barbara Gray, with their family bus. (And i thought that they were here to tour with me.)

 St Bridgets well is located close to the Cliffs and here we have Lee, posing in front of her statue. Paul tells me that his surname, Kowalkski, means blacksmith in Polish and that Bridget is the patron saint of blacksmiths. This guy knows his stuff.

 My full group posing in front of the statue, and the cave where the holy well is located. the entrance to the well is seen in the background just over Joe's head.
From the left, Joe, Barbara, Paul, Betsy, Jean and Lee.

Today was not the greatest day for photos but we did get this final one at the famous Bunratty castle. All of this group are actually from Pennsylvania, not Mass, as i mistakenly said last night. This photo is special for them as William Penn, the founder of their state, actually lived in this castle for a period.

Chauffeurdriven Tours of Ireland with Dovechauffeurdrive and Dave Hogan

 My latest tour, with my group from Pensylvania. started on Sunday, when i collected them at Shannon airport on their arrival there. This group consisted of Paul and Barbara Gray, Joe and Betsy Roche, and Lee Kowalski, and Jean Hurd. 
Today was our day in the magical area we know as God's Country, also known as the "Quiet Man country", where the great Irish movie by that name was filmed, and starred John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara. Best known as Connemara, this was one of the worst affected areas during the great famine, and huge numbers of people from that area, fled to the USA during and after that period.

Before setting out today, we toured around some of the main sights in Galway city. The picture above shows my new friends standing in front of the famous Lynch's window in the center of the city, a window from which the then town magistrate, a man by the name of Lynch, hung his own son, after he had been convicted of murder, and because nobody else would hang the young man, as they believed that the man he killed deserved to die, as he had seduced the defendant's fiancee. They say that that is where the term Lynching came from in the English language.
From the left we have, Lee, Jean, Barbara, with Paul behind her, Joe with Betsy, behind him. (you know what they say, behind every good man there is a good woman.)

Now we are in Connemara, and if you have seen that famous movie, maybe you recognise this bridge. It is of course the Quiet Man bridge, and a place visited by thousands of people every year.

 We are of course, standing on the Quiet Man bridge.

The Sky road, outside the town of Clifden, is a really spectacular place to visit, as it overlooks the Atlantic, and three thousand miles of ocean between there and the USA. It was a little overcast today, so unfortunately we could not see Cape Cod.

Connemara is famous for its beautiful Connemara ponies, two of which you see in the picture above. These horses swan ashore after the Spanish Armada galleons, carrying a large force of their army and cavalry, were wrecked off our western coast during a terrible storm. They bred freely there, and are now one of the most popular breeds of horses in our country. As they are smaller than a full horse, and have a wonderful temperament, they are most popular as suitable for younger people, and children. They actually saved the lives of many sailors and soldiers, who clung to their tails and manes, and were then dragged ashore to safety.

I could not leave out this ram, and some sheep, who were grazing on this mountainside. The Connemara sheep are most popular for their wonderful tasty meat.

Enjoying a tasty lunch snack in Clifden, Lee, Jean, Betsy and Joe. Note that Paul and Barbara and i are missing from this photo. We went for a sensible walk as some people need to set an example when it comes to controlling the intake of calories.
I think you can see for yourself just how many calories are on that table. I am not sure if they had dessert afterwards, as i was not there, but i know that they did last evening.

We took the coastal route through the lovely little harbour town of Roundstone. What a lovely scenic area this is. It surely is God's Country.

Finally we stopped off at my own home, and in this picture, we have the full group, with my own wife Sue joining them. (Back row, on the left)

What a lovely day we had today, and a great start to what i know will be another most enjoyable tour. How do i keep finding all these great new friends, it cannot be just my looks. Can it? 
Tomorrow we are off to the Cliffs of Moher. Come along and join us. Ireland beckons.

Chauffeurdrive vacations on Wild Atlantic Way with Dovechauffeurdrive and Dave Hogan

The beautiful, and historic town of Kinsale was our final destination on this really lovely tour, and i was sad to part from my new pals as said our goodbyes. They were a joy to be with, and i know that they really enjoyed their time with me, as we toured some of Ireland's loveliest countryside.

 The views from up on the hill at Charles Fort in Kinsale are gorgeous, and here we have, from the left, Patrick, Julie, Kathleen, Ken, Amy, Erin, and Ian, enjoying the lovely sunshine, and the fresh air, with Kinsale harbour in the background.

 A different view from the same place, with the town of Kinsale, at the inner end of the harbour.

 All together again, outside Acton's hotel, on the harbour front in Kinsale. That's me on the left, but i am sure that you already knew that.

 One of my favourite pictures was this one showing Ken emerging from his spell of confinement, in a beehive hut on Dingle. His behavior did improve a little after that. Well Kathleen does have to come down on him occasionally, and the Irish in her makes that easy.

 A lovely picture of these two beauties, Amy with her little lamb.

Love birds on vacation, Ken and Kathleen, what a lovely couple, and only married 50 years.

This had been a really nice tour, and our time together flew bye. I think we will have to do it all over again. Take care you guys. Love you all.
Dave

The Dingle peninsula and the Wild Atlantic way with Dovechauffeurdrive.

Today we were off to the Dingle peninsula, as we continued our journey on the Wild Atlantic way from Killarney.

Just have a look at those empty plates. All ready to head for Dingle after a hearty breakfast. From the left, front row, Ken, Julie, Patrick, Ian, Erin, and Kathleen. In the back row, Amy and yours truly. (i did not charge for my inclusion in this photo, well, because Amy is nice)

The Killarney Plaza is a really nice hotel, and one i use regularly for my guests. This nice photo i took in the main lobby of the hotel.

Our first photo on Dingle was at Inch beach as the day brightened and warmed up. This is a beautiful beach and featured in the movie "Ryan's daughter".

What a lovely picture of Ken and Kathleen. Ireland brings out the best in all of us.

Another lovely picture with the patchwork quilt like fields on the hillside in the background. After agreeing terms, i joined this picture myself. (Yes, that is me on the right. I think that my right side is my better one.)

 A visit to this particular site near Slea Head on this peninsula, is really a must, as there you can hold and cuddle a baby lamb. Here we have Kathleen, loving this experience, and one to remember.We did finally get Kathleen to reluctantly release the lamb, and in the photo below we have Ian and Erin, taking their turn.

Now it was Amy's turn, and how lovely she looks with her lamb. I think that this is a really special one, with the Dingle bay in the background. Unfortunately, due to the mist on the bay, we were not able to see the Skellig islands, which are actually offshore in the distance, directly behind where Amy is standing. These are the islands featured in the most recent Star Wars movie.

Patrick looks really pleased with himself in this picture, with Julie by his side. I think, that this session, with the baby lamb, was a real highlight today, eventhough they would not let me hold him, as they insisted that it was their tour and not mine. I suppose they have a point.

I always include this place as a special treat for my customers. It is located very close to Slea Head, and also includes a visit to the ancient Beehive Huts, stone dwelling places inhabited by ancient farmers and fishermen, and the monks of old.

 My friends standing in front of one of the Beehive huts. From the left we have, Ian, Amy, Ken, Kathleen, Julie, Patrick, and Erin.
This was a really great day and one enjoyed by all.

 After returning to Killarney this afternoon, we made our way to Muckross House, the stately home, where Queen Victoria stayed when she visited Killarney in the eighteen hundreds. The picture above shows the entrance gates to the estate.

 This is a view of the house as you approach from the entrance.

 Here we have my pals, standing on the steps down into the garden at the lake side of the house.

 This picture shows the rear of the house, and the fire escape which had to be installed for the Queen, as she would never sleep upstairs in any house, because of a fire in her youth. Special quarters were renovated in the downstairs area for her.The rear garden is very beautiful here, as are all of the gardens, once again especially created for her visit.

 My happy group, all together, with the lovely garden in the background.
What a great day we had today. Tomorrow we head for Kinsale, where unfortunately this tour ends.
They are just going to have to come back again for more, and they will be very welcome.