We are Mizen you but having a great time

View from bridge at Mizen Head

 The Wild Atlantic Way was calling today and so we started in Kinsale even though that apparently is meant to be the end. It is probably quite appropriate for our time in Ireland that we do it in reverse.  After some of the spectacular coast line we then joined the Ring of Kerry for equally spectacular scenery through the Killarney National Park before reaching our little cottage just outside Killarney for the night.

Bridge out to signal station

Seals at Mizen Head

Mizen Head is the most South-Westerly point in Ireland (love how they are so specific – maybe it is like every child wins a prize – another place can claim to be the most South-Easterly, South-South-Easterly etc) and a very spectacular point also. The day started off cold and wet after quite a bit of rain overnight (they must have thought they were almost in drought – it had been 3 days with no rain) but by the time we got to Mizen Head it had thankfully cleared. The wind also dropped during the night so all up today was very good on the coast. It was clear to see it could be an extremely wild, rugged and inhospitable place if the weather was not good. A signal station and light are installed on the head but due to the height of the cliff there is no lighthouse as such. Some time was spent walking around the headland where we managed to see some seals seemingly sheltering in one of the inlets. Apparently some basking whales are also spotted from time to time but we missed them today. Mizen Head has a bridge over one of the inlets out to the Signal Station which Stephen managed to negotiate with a minimum of fuss – may have been a different story if Elizabeth’s suggestion that a glass base of the bridge was embraced. The Fastnet lighthouse was visible in the middle of the ocean and it is apparently officially the most southerly part of Ireland. Little wonder that it is such a danger to shipping, sticking up in the midst of the open ocean.

Bantry Bay

Upon leaving Mizen Head and heading to Bantry Bay a clear change occurred in the landscape. The bright green fields of grass gave way to more windswept rocky outcrops and cattle gave way to sheep in the paddocks. As we wound our way to Killarney National Park the scenery while very different was no less spectacular.

Another lovely cottage awaited us outside of Killarney where we made use of the fireplace, ensuring we are warm tonight before we go hiking tomorrow in the National Park.

Ladies View of the lakes -
Killarney National Park

Love to all

S&E