We had considered taking a Jaunty Car ride to the Gap of Dunloe but it was almost an hour drive to get to the meeting point and it involved an extended Jaunty Car ride. Instead we could take a boat ride and a jaunty car ride from Ross Castle which was only 7 minutes away. With all the driving we did the previous day, we chose not to spend more time in the car. This was the right choice as the boat ride was delightful and the Jaunty Car ride was only an hour. On the boat, the captain gave us multiple facts about the area and the lake. The largest island in the lake housed a 11th century monastery. The copper mines here were dated 2000 BCE and are considered to be among the earliest of mines in the world. Only licensed boats can ply the waters and they are limited to 6 hp. Some folks will buy a 8 hp motor and scratch off the upper right hand corner of the eight decal to get a six. After the boat ride we got in the Jaunty Car and had a leisurely rode through the National Park. Then we had a picnic on the sly at the Ross Castle outdoor cafe. The posted signs clearly said that no food from the outside could be consumed on the grounds. Tell that to my stomach.
On our way to Ross Castle we started seeing the Jaunty Cars
They were getting ready for a full day of hauling tourists
Our boat is coming
We had to pass through Ross Castle to get to the dock
Lets all ride
The day was clear and warm
So warm that he could open the top windows
The clear air allowed for great visibility
Swans
Limestone creatures
The swans were chasing the kayak
Many islands in the lake that is 213 feet deep and covers 19 square km
Innish Fallon island has the ruins of a monastery
The monks resided here for 950 years
It is 42 acres and is the largest of the 32 islands in the lake
14 kinds of fish swim in these waters. They include salmon, trout, artic char, lamprey, eels and shad
Purple Mountain
This is the Queens Oak, Queen Victoria had a picnic under it 160 years ago
The lake stays at a nearly constant 14 degrees Celsius
They say swimming in the cold water is good for arthritis. If you don't have it , you will after swimming here
Beware the shallows
This bridge spans the river that connects Lake Muckross with this lake
Lots of folks enjoying the view
It looks like a Moai laying down
Layers
Fishing for salmon. Fishermen are allowed 10 salmon per year
What's SUP
These small boats will take you to all three lakes
Approaching Ross Castle on the return
Ready for our Jaunty Ride
Glad we did not book these boats
The amazing unsupported steps
Still some boats for hire
Gonzo our horse for the next hour
Our Driver
Off we go into the National Park
Instead of saying cheese they told us to say "whiskey", so a sip seemed appropriate
It is working!
Sister Laura contemplating the glory of nature
Oncoming traffic
The second tallest spire in Ireland
This breed of cattle is native to the area and are one of the oldest breeds
A nice stream
Red Deer are also native to Ireland
Looking out at all the mountains
A deep forest where many of the trees seem to grow horizontally
A view of the smallest island, Mouse Island
Mystery birds
A limestone kiln
Another view of Ross Castle
Gonzo and the castle
Reeds
Gonzo gets three bags of these goodies when he is working
Still riding along the stream
A big bin for the horse poo
Driver and horse
Say Whiskey!
Gonzo had blue eyes
And soft hair
This little guy was 15 years old, deaf and mostly blind
Wasp killing jar
Back at Ross Castle for our furtive picnic
The Vikings are storming the castle
A scruffy chaffinch
Motoring by
Sitka deer were imported by Queen Victoria
Since absolutely no hunting is allowed in the 26,000 acre park, these deer are reproducing beyond the capacity of the ecosystem to handle them
The layout of the castle
A woodcut from the 1500's by Durer of Irish mercenaries
A drawing of the castle in its heyday
Not the most flattering of paintings
The fishing season is almost over
This looks like a legit 6 hp
