Christmas in Killarney

What a fantastically festive weekend I’ve just had. Saturday morning found me dressed in a Santa Suit signing up participants for Killarney’s first Santa Fun Run. The atmosphere was fantastic and saw 150 people (including a few Santa suited Dogs) take to the streets along a 10km route that weaved through the National Park and back to Scott Street. The cold was kept at bay with entertainment by musician Liam O’Connor & DJ Botty.

Next onto the Christmas in Killarney festival markets where I got very carried away buying everything from gourmet pies to stained glass stocking fillers. We passed both the Ice Rink and Free Santa’s Grotto which were both in full swing. The festival really has grown to provide something for everyone from Opera performances to Monster Sales and Street Entertainment to Guided climbs of Ireland’s highest peak – It certainly got me in the Christmas Spirit - www.christmasinkillarney.com

Linda Crossan
Randles Hotels

Winter's Weekend in Killorglin

Scrambling in the MacGillycuddy Reeks, Ireland's Highest Mountains


'Cara The Dog' looking like she wants to go home!

Sunset over the Iveragh Peninsula, looking towards Caherciveen

Kerry Way, Kells to Glenbeigh

This is a beautiful high-level section of the Kerry Way, skirting along the mountain range of the Iveragh peninsula, overlooking Dingle Bay.

Begin just above the sleepy post office at Kells, on the N70, Ring of Kerry road to Caherciveen. Although initially a little muddy, a decent track leads gently uphill, past several roofless, long abandoned, famine cottages and small fields with the faint remnants of potato beds in them.

After half an hour an old railway viaduct will come into sight, nestled in a thick pine forest. You'll then enter the top edge of this pine forest, crossing several streams. During warm summer days clouds of golden pollen burst into the air as the Atlantic breeze ruffles the pine boughs.

The peaceful, damp forest track eventually deposits you out onto the open hillside and this is often a welcome place to sit and savour the views over Dingle Bay and Inch Beach.

A narrow rocky track then winds along the flank of Drung Hill, once a coaching road, now used mainly by wandering sheep. An ogham stone stands atop of Drung Hill and it's thought by some that this was where local kings were crowned. From this peak they could see all of their kingdom spread before them. A steep detour off the Kerry Way will take you to this summit and is well worth the effort.

The fuchsia lined path meanders downhill slowly and crosses over the busy main road at Mountain Stage. This was once a stage coach stop, where horses were replenished. Now a little, friendly coffee shop stands there. It's a short detour off the Kerry Way to reach the coffee shop, so you'll need to use your OS map.

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From here quiet country roads, with the occasional farm house, leads you to a fork in the road. You've the choice of continuing straight, which will lead you through peaceful, shady pine woods into Glenbeigh village, or take a left to enjoy a long descent and spectacular views down to Rossbeigh beach, for a swim in the fresh Atlantic surf!

The hike is approximately 12km and takes five hours. You either need a car at each end, or use Falvey's Taxi to return you to your own car (087 9077648). The Towers Hotel, with it's blazing open fire, is worth calling into for a coffee or hot chocolate. You'll need proper hiking gear, including walking boots, waterproofs and an OS map.

Enjoy!

Nathan Kingerlee - Outdoors Ireland

Lorge Chocolatier in Bonane

We went on one of those days out today to escape from the office and to wander in the places we do not get to during the busy summer season. With no proper agenda we headed from Gougane(R584) to Glengarriff and over the Caha Pass (N71) in the direction of Kenmare. On our way down into Bonane we found the front door of Lorge Chocolatier open and we had to stop!!

Inside the door, we were greeted by Eva with samples of their creations, i got a homemade chocolate and honey taster. These are created by Benoit Lorge (and his team), award winning chef, who makes high quality chocolates for gourmet shops and high class hotels and restaurants and his own welcoming shop in Bonane, just 5 Km from Kenmare on the Glengarriff road.

Benoit also runs a number of specialist courses for aspiring chocolate makers, teaching them the finer points of preparing, handling and finishing many different types of chocolate. His most popular event is the bi-monthly children’s workshop, although sometimes his greatest critics, all the children go home delighted by what they have experienced with plenty of stories to tell.

Well worth a visit to this Chocolate Heaven with delicious homemade chocolates, loads of great gift ideas and courses on Chocolate making, Yum!!

Lorge Chocolatier, http://www.lorge.ie/

Bonane, 064 6679994

Kenmare,

Co. Kerry

Greetings from Gougane Barra Hotel

Greetings to Ireland South West from Gougane Barra Hotel where we are really enjoying this fine Autumn weather and making the most of it. We are looking forward to adding bits and pieces to this blog from our side of the mountain and we hope you can enjoy reading about the places we go, the people we see and the things we get up to!!
Slan Tamaill!

Autumnal Colours

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Blue Pool Woods

As a child I was often taken for rambles through Killarney’s Blue Pool Woods. So in a moment of nostalgia I veered off course from my normal Sunday runs and headed instead for this hidden gem. Located 3 kilometers out the main Muckross Road turn right just after Molly Darcy’s Pub and the wood's entrance is found on the left hand side of this road along with limited parking space.

On entering the woods we were completely cocooned by the rooftop canopy keeping the autumn showers at bay. The circular paths take you across wooden bridges up small inclines, into green glens and through un-managed forestry. Those that can manage to keep quiet enough may even catch glimpses of the local wildlife such as ducks, badgers, kingfishers and deer. The wood gets it name from a small pool off the beaten track that appears to be blue due to the minerals in its waters. The walks in here are short and probably suited as more of a filler to an adventure packed calendar. My day was finished off with a meal in Kayne’s Bistro at the Dromhall Hotel, highly recommend the Early Bird Menu at €25 for 4 courses it’s a steal!

Linda Cussen
Randles Hotels

Discover West Cork

Cromane Beach & Jack's Pub

This is the view from my rocky Cromane beach, which stretches for several kilometres, towards the better known Rossbeigh and Inch Beaches. Far off in the distance, on the right, is the tip of the Dingle Peninsula, tapering towards the sunset.

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At one end of this beach is one of my favourite Irish pubs, Jack's Bar & Seafood Restaurant. The pub is small, traditional and friendly. Weekend music in the form of one man playing six instruments and a roaring wood fire on the darkening evenings welcomes you inside.

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The restaurant is superb and excellent service, with views over Castlemaine Harbour and Dingle Bay. It's the upper and more expensive end of an Irish restaurant, but for special occasions well worth it!

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To get there leave Killorglin on the N70, towards Caherciveen. Approx 3km outside Killorglin take a right turn, signposted Cromane.

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Keep your eyes open for brent geese, who spend their winters on Cromane beach!

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Nathan Kingerlee

Outdoors Ireland

Discover Ireland