We chose not to follow the recommended route via the main roads. Instead we chose the back roads. Yes, there were more bumps, yes they were more narrow, yes we had to share the road with sheep, but that is why we chose this route. We drove through Leap, Ballylickey, Skibbereen, Bantry, Carhoomeengar and other nearly unpronounceable towns. The back roads were exactly what we wanted to experience. Winding, narrow, and passing through some beautiful scenery. We had a lunch spot planned out in Kenmare and it was jus t the right break in our trip
Leaving Rosscarbery
There were sheep with blue afros
Another large mudflat
The tide is out
Big houses along the way
Skibbereen M'Lady
Every small town has a relatively large church
Nice saw mill logo
Vertical stones on the top of the fence
A hole in the tree cover
Gaining altitude
Pretty hill top
A sculpture in the Bantry Cemetery
A rather large Silver Seas cruise boat
We got spirit yes we do, we got spirit how about you?
The bay was pretty large
The bottom figure is a winged angel
This was a very crowded cemetery
Many of the headstones were quite elaborate
Well planted
A more traditional boat
The Celtic cross
This dog was having a great day
In Bantry the colored house tradition continues
In the town center
Outside town we see more large estates
Large expanses of water too
A very rock coastline
We are getting closer to the mountains
Another nice inlet
With boats all along the way
Climbing into the Caha pass
We are up there
Rugged landscape on either side
With green valleys
Rock walls
Folks on Bicycles
Sheep too
Get out of the way!
Some old school tunnels
Carved out of the rock
Almost to the top
Dual tunnels
One land bridges
A bigger iron bridge
Another cute town
Here is looking at you!
We are in Kenmare
For a bite of lunch at the place above
We timed it out so we beat the lunch rush
On the menu a inspiring quote
Lots of old Guinness advertising
For Strength
John Sullivan Irish boxer won the championship in the US in 1882
Flying in the Guinness
Good even if you are tired
Or a bird in a nest
Or out golfing
A very delightful set of flower pots
Music is very important
This shop had it all
Different instruments
In quality to serve the entire county
Every instrument you can think of
And some you have never heard of, like a foot tambourine
Ladies who lunch
Goose heads in a bucket
Chicken heads too
The middle sized towns have even bigger churches
Pubs are not in short supply
