Breathtaking Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry. . . . . . . . .

Such a beautiful place. . . . . . . 

. . . . named after the main town of Dingle, the Dingle Peninsula is commonly called
 Corca Dhuibhne in Irish (anglicized as something like Corkaguiny). 
It is the northernmost of the major peninsulas in County Kerry, ending beyond
 the town of Dingle at Dunmore Head, the westernmost point of Ireland and
 arguably Europe.

I'm sure you will agree that this dramatic scenery is exceptionally beautiful. I have to 
add that it was also very peaceful when we visited prior to the arrival of the 
 Summer crowds. Our day trip was cool and mostly cloudy with a few patches of 
sunshine, but again no rain. On arrival in Killarney, our base for four
 nights, we checked weather forecasts and realized we had a two day window for
 possible sunny days so made our tour reservations ahead to ensure seats on coaches.

This, the most western end of the peninsula is a Gaeltacht (meaning an 
Irish-speaking area) that has produced many notable authors and poets.  

As I mentioned in my last post, I'm obsessed with the story of the

 Blasket Islands, particularly Great Blasket, where the small population

 survived the potato famine and remained until 1953 when the government

 evacuated the island, many of the inhabitants emigrating to

 Springfield, Massachusetts.

There are six principal Blasket Islands. The northermost is Inishtooskert

(Inis Tuaisceart in Irish), also known as An Fear Marbh (the dead man) or

 the Sleeping Giant due to its appearance when viewed from the eastern

 mainland as here in my photo.

This was the closest I managed to get to visiting Great Blasket Island - next time
 I plan to be on a boat and going ashore!

The Three Sisters headland. . . . . . . along the dramatic Wild Atlantic Way.

This current movie site brought much excitement to many of our fellow passengers 

on the coach tour. I admit to not being a Star Wars fan.

Unable to get permission to film again on the distant island Skellig Michael, a UNESCO 

world heritage site where scenes were shot for Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens, the 

Irish government allowed Disney Lucasfilm to build a replica of the historic site on

the mainland. Contractors built a 1.5 km metal roadway to transport the heavy

equipment overland.

More to my liking was our guide's information about the the lovely beach,

 Inch Strand. Here a much admired movie, 'Ryan's Daughter' (1970) with Robert Mitchum

 and Sarah Miles was filmed. Scenes were also filmed at nearby Slea Head and

 Coumeenole Beach. Set in the aftermath of the 1916 Easter Rising,

 I plan to watch this movie again soon. 

Also planning a second viewing of 'Far and Away' (1992) with Nicole Kidman

 and Tom Cruise, which was partly filmed in this same area.

Cafe and beach/surf shop at Inch Strand - one of Ireland's most beautiful beaches

and very popular for surfing.

We truly fell in love with the Dingle Peninsula and will definitely put it on our

 'let's go back' list. Another visit to Western Ireland is required - we saw a lot but

 we want to spend more time there when possible.

An upcoming post from Ireland will focus on the second beautiful peninsula

 we visited - the Ring of Kerry.

Have you ever been across the sea to Ireland?

The Evening Light. . . . . . . . . . .

Have you visited England in summertime? I hope so.

If you arrived from the North American continent, and perhaps some other locations,

you will have noticed how the evenings remain light and bright until quite late. 

Sunrise is also very early, around 5 AM, so the days are exceptionally long and lovely.

I really enjoy that when I go home at this season.

Having more hours of daylight to enjoy walking and nighttime amusements is

wonderful. 

Sightseeing, beach going, drinking a cool glass of wine and dining

al fresco in late day sunlight, walking through flowering gardens, sauntering 

along the cliff walks, taking a ferris wheel ride . . . watching the sun set, then

street lamps turn on, all quite different when this occurs late in the evening.

Twilight arrives - the perfect blue hour.

All these photos were taken late afternoon into the evening in Torquay on different

days when we were out and about . . . . . . after the crowds had disappeared.

The last one below is from the windows of the cottage where we stayed - the 

street lights came on just as we arrived back after walking along the beach road

one particularly balmy evening.

Hope you enjoy seeing my beautiful home town. . . . 

and there will be more!