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Ireland 2007: Day 3 - Part I

Good evening everyone at home!

We woke up to (or went to bed at - depending on time of arrival back from the pubs) our first taste of Irish rain. We ate our breakfast and boarded the bus to some rain and barely a patch of blue in the sky. Although Doris had mentioned that if we could see a patch of blue big enough to make a pair of pants - we had a chance at good weather. And sure enough, it ended up being a beautiful day (windy and cooler than our first 2 days) but we were thrilled the clouds parted.

We headed out to tour the Ring of Kerry. We went through the town of Killorglan and heard about the Puck Fair held each August and the billy goat king. And as a special treat we drove right by the hotel run by Dorothy's cousin! Then we stopped at the Red Fox and many enjoyed an Irish Coffee (ask them what time it was!). Upon return to the bus we sang along to "Molly Malone". Doris also recommends a book, "Jack's World" by Sean Sheehan - which is newly published.

We had a photo stop along the road and could see across the water to Inch Beach and the Dingle Penninsula where we had been just yesterday. We then drove through the Birthplace of Daniel O'Connor and stopped to shoot more photos at the ruins of the home he was born in. We then headed to Waterville for lunch and enjoyed photos with Charlie Chaplin and more walks along the Irish beach.

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