Kerry

It's been a busy week and this post is long overdue. Last weekend's trip to Dingle, County Kerry was my favorite of our program excursions so far (I think I say that every time but I really mean it this time). Friday was spent mostly on the bus with a few quick stops at Coole Park and Bunratty Castle. Of course, the rainy Irish weather joined us on our excursion too. 

Bunratty Castle

Coole Park 

Bunratty Castle

We stayed in Dingle, a small town in Kerry, at the Dingle Harbor Lodge. Our first time staying somewhere other than a hostel and needless to say, we thoroughly enjoyed the change. In addition to comfortable beds we got a full hot breakfast each morning which certainly beats a piece of bread at the hostels. 

Dingle Bay

Saturday was a day spent driving through the Dingle Peninsula stopping along the way for plenty of photo ops. The views were incredibly green and incredibly wet. 

We stopped at a standing stone:

beehive huts:

Coumeenoole Beach:

Blasket Island Centre:

Riask:

Gallarus Oratory:

Kilmalkedar:

Saturday night, our whole group hit a few pubs together. We started off at a small one where we listened to some traditional Irish music and then moved onto one where we killed it on the dance floor. We certainly looked like the Americans that we are jamming to One Direction. This weekend was the first in a while that we were in Galway. With a four day weekend, we've been catching up on sleep, work, and Galway fun. Next weekend is our last program excursion to Northern Ireland. We've hit the half way mark of our time in Ireland and I need the time to slow down! I can't think about leaving. I love being here too much!