Deros Bus tour of Dingle Peninsula. Before boarding bus got shots of jaunting cart & horse, with statue of Christ the King in background. Also shot of statue by itself. Unsure of shutter speed setting, took insurance shots with speed dial returned to automatic.

Back aboard bus, started Dingle Pen . tour, first stopping for 2 photos of Killarney Lakes from road out of town.

Continuing on through Milltown & Castlemaine, then turning west along north shore of Dingle Bay toward Inch Beach.

Stopped for photos of beach and bay with Macgillycuddys Reeks in background.

Passed beehive huts & many fields of grazing sheep but unable to photograph. Did stop at ancient stone oratory & got photos of it, and of Pat in foreground.

[The following requires some background. My sister Margy took a trip to Ireland in 1988 with a friend, and stayed at the Dingle Pub and B&B. She met the owner’s young daughter, and was taken with her charm. Margy shared her photos with Mom and Dad, who were determined to meet the youngster on their own vacation].

Next stop Dingle (town) where we showed picture of Dingle Pub to local who gave us directions to same . After 5 minute walk up hill past cathedral, we took wrong turn on right street. Again showed picture to man in parked car who set us on right path. Found pub and walked in.

Pretty little girl was only one in sight inside. We told her we knew her name was Betty Ann; then explained how we knew. She was all smiles and charm.

Mother appeared and we introduced ourselves. We were cordially welcomed and we asked if we could get something to eat. It was Saturday and a slow time and Mrs. Moroney had no food prepared, but insisted on fixing us each a sandwich (ham and turkey). We each ordered a Harp, which was drawn from the tap by Betty Ann. Mrs. Moroney said the food and drink were Betty Ann’s treat & would not accept payment.  We talked and then got shots of mother & daughter (flash shots inside pub).

Then shots of Helen & child outside pub. We were smitten by this little 8 year old beauty . (She mentioned receiving Margy’s letter & photos). I think Helen wanted to take her home with us. We gave her 2 pounds to help defray costs of school supplies. Our tour bus was about to depart for Slea Head, so we had to say our farewells, with promises to send pictures back to them, when we got home (USA).

On way to bus got shot of church, with Helen walking down street in foreground. Joined by Kathy Fox (Everett resident on our Dingle tour bus, who turns out to be working for city of Everett in same office as Margy), who walked with us back to bus.

Next stop was viewpoint at Slea Head with impressive views of Blasket & Great Blasket Islands (westernmost points of Europe, along with Slea Head on mainland of Ireland). 

Several shots of beach & rocks below, including one of wrecked ship whose rusty remains will be there for another thousand years. Got one of Kathy F. with this marine scene in background . Also got one close-up of grazing sheep by climbing up to fence surrounding hillside pasture above road.

Returning to bus, discovered I was holding up progress & everyone was aboard and waiting for me.

Return circle took us through Dingle again and on to Tralee where we stopped long enough to have coffee and apple(?) pie.

Returning to bus at appointed time, found nobody there, so dropped in at local pharmacy. Cordially welcomed by owner, one Mr. Kennelly, who showed me his working area, complete with modern appearing computer and printer. Stock of drugs consisted of many more injectables than Carter’s [drugstore in Everett, WA— Dad’s last pharmacy job], and other drugs equivalent to ours had different (European) names.

Took 2 street scenes in Tralee & climbed aboard bus again. Back in Killarney & pre-booked into 3 Lakes Hotel (thanks to courtesy of Ross Hotel employees, where we were no longer able to stay, due to previous reservations for Saturday night by another party), we picked up our car, & with some difficulty, parked it in a too-small spot in the hotel parking lot . Carrying our baggage up to our rooms, passed desk & continued upstairs.

Not enough time to eat before 7:00 p.m. Mass, we walked to Franciscan church, and were almost too late to be seated. Finally sat down in row of chairs circling area of altar. Place was packed and presiding priest ran rapidly through the liturgy, completing his duties in 45 minutes. Closing hymn was Protestant masterpiece, “How Great Thou Art”! (Quite unexpected in Catholic Ireland).

Found decent eating place, not far from church, and entered quickly. Soon after we sat down, the door was closed & locked & we were informed that we were just under the wire, since the place adjoining was reserved for a boisterous group of 50 people.

After satisfying meal we returned to 3 Lakes Hotel rooms, had a nice visit with Mr. Jameson while Helen & Pat discussed Plan “A” concerning methods of avoiding payment of unfair supplement to above establishment.

Finally decided to slip away after breakfast Sunday morning, departing one at a time and leaving hotel keys in our rooms. The girls were red-faced and convulsed with mirth, after concocting this nefarious scheme.