Killarney

Up early yesterday for our last morning in Dublin, checking out the Hugh Lane Contemporary Art Museum.  En route we came across James Joyce, talking to the Dublin eccentric, Gogarty, outside the colourful Oliver St John Gogarty bar, presumably named after himself.  Philip couldn't resist joining in.

Coming back, also in Temple Bar we found a lively music mural, where I felt the urge to get out my spoons as they hadn't had an outing yet this trip.

Then on our way to Killarney, via the Kerry Woollen Mills, situated on the beautiful Ring of Kerry on the Atlantic coast.  The mill has been creating fabrics and yarn from fine wool for over 300 years, remaining faithful to the traditions of its founders. Today it takes advantage of up-to-date weaving technology, marrying tradition with contemporary styling.  I couldn't resist the lovely 3-ply aran yarn, dyed and spun at the mill.  They also do  natural coloured organic and Jacob's wool.  

After checking into our hotel that evening, we were out again quickly to find food and a session - as you can imagine, as this is Killarney, we didn't have to look far.

Visited Crafty Alley in Killarney this morning - great shop stocking everything craft-related, including the Irish yarns used in Carol Feller's book - Cushendale, Kerry Woollen Mills and Studio Donegal.  Spent the afternoon at Muckross house in the national park - beautiful house and gardens with fabulous sculptures and jaunting car trips around the lake.

Fantastic meal tonight in a family-run Killarney restaurant.  Johnny and Paddy McGuire and their team gave us a warm Irish welcome - can't wait to come back next year.  I had veggie boxty - a speciality, sort of potato pancake, sooooooo good.  Ingredients are sourced locally, the wine list is to die for and for the craic - look no further. There were also quite a few veggie options on the menu which is refreshing as we lettuce eaters usually have to make do with a token lasagne.