Drove from Ennis to Tralee, famous for ‘the Rose of Tralee’, then over the mountains to Dingle. Two nights in this whimsical town with a sheltered bay. Long walks along the water’s edge, watching the playful antics of Fungie, the resident wild dolphin. Then further exploration of the rugged and historic Dingle Peninsula to Slea Head and the westernmost point in Europe, and fog shrouded views over the Blasket Islands. Onward through Killarney to Kenmare, which marks the start of the ‘Ring of Kerry’ and the location of Druid stone circles which date back 3000 years. A drive to Cork, big and cosmopolitan and lacking the Irish charm, bringing us quickly on to Kilkenny where the Irish spirit and beauty is abundant. Lovely walks in the forested grounds of Kilkenny Castle, enjoying the forty shades of green along the River Nore. We felt drawn to time spent in the mysticism of the Kyteler Inn, the old home of Kilkenny’s renowned witch from the 14th century. We were intrigued by the Wiccan stories and the beautiful stone architecture dating back 700 years. Two more days in Kilkenny, will bring us to Dublin to fly to Paris to meet our good friends Colleen and Gary. In 1981, Colleen and Christine backpacked through Europe and said “One day we will meet on the Champs Elysees with our husbands.”