We arrive in Cork to a heatwave - 18 degrees! After Skye it is so hot!
 
We explore Cork and are somewhat surprised and saddened to find it so run down and 'depressed'! Too many buildings, both residential and commercial, are abandoned or in disrepair .

But the pubs are lovely and we enjoy three of the oldest. 

The Mutton Lane Inn has been in Cork since before the days of the Irish Civil War when the bar was split down the middle between pro-treaty and anti-treaty forces. 

At The Laurels we decide upon fish and chips. "Where does the fish come from?" I ask the lovely waiter. She looks at me and replies with great seriousness, "From the sea!" We are in Ireland!

We pick up our hire car (a small black bug - an Opel) and jiggle off towards Kilarney.  

We stop at the village of Macroom and buy delicious looking cheese at the local market. The countryside is quite different and dry. We foray to a pretty spot Beal Athain Ghaurthaith in the Shehy Mountains.

Killarney is pretty - a major tourist destination. 

We visit Ross Castle - now this is a serious castle!Huge, solid and intimidating. We explore part of The Ring of Kerry - mountainous and beautiful. We picnic beside an unnamed lake.

We visit Tralee and like Cork we are very saddened by the general demeanour of people and environment. Depressing!

We wend our way to the greener fields (literally and metaphorically) of the Dingle Peninsula. 

We locate our unit and it is just as pleasant as before! 

We overlook Main Street and the hustle and bustle of Dingle passes by. We are amused at how many of the shops are shop/bars and the locals, usually old men, gather at the entrance around 9am. 

They seem to stay there all day!