Ireland #2of2

Near Glengariff and Kenmare, we saw some of the prettiest scenery we’ve seen in Ireland, with coast line, mountains with craggy rocks, and purple and yellow flowers, and strange looking lambs. There are many different kinds of sheep, many breeds, and many colors, with different looking “coats.” The city of Limerick is very industrial, a lot of coal mines and factories. Not a lot of charm, but a nice, well known name.

In many places we have seen groups of people living in several trailers along side the road. It looks like they are permanent squatters. We can see a big chimney sticking through the trailer roof, for cooking and heating with wood or coal, something not seen in a movable trailer. Ireland is a poor country, not severe poverty, just few of the extras of life.

Along the road we see signs that say “Accident Spot” with a black spot on a sign, and sometimes a number, maybe for the number of people killed or injured there.

We enjoyed Dublin. People were so friendly. When we would stop on the street and open a map to look for something, people would stop and try to help us. St. Patrick’s Cathedral sits in a beautiful park-like grounds, and displays many statues and memorials for people who fought for Ireland’s freedom from England in 1916. We had lunch in the rather new restaurant in a shopping mall in the Irish Life Building. Emmy had corned beef and cabbage, very good she says.

Emmy saw beautiful Irish linen knitted sweaters for $60 to $80. Very pretty, but when she tried to buy the yarn so she could knit her own, they said it was not for sale, too scarce.

On our last night in Ireland there was a very big storm, Emmy thought the high wind might blow the camper over, so I assured her there was no problem. I didn’t know it wouldn’t turn over, but I didn’t want her to lose any sleep because of it. We awoke to a beautiful clear, but still windy day. Campsite was in a very nice area with large houses.

The previous day, at the travel office they assured us there was no space for our RV on the ferry from Dun Laoghaire to Holyhead, Wales, but we got on the first ferryboat, OK.

As we have found so many times, (almost) never a reservation, (almost) never a problem.