Our OverKnighter in the Black Castle {North Tipperary, Ireland}

I did a series of posts on our 10 year year anniversary trip to Ireland months ago (Ballinskelligs, The Aran Islands, and The Rings of Kerry) but never got around to sharing photos from our night (or “overknight” rather) in a private 16th century castle. When planning our trip I knew this would be perfect stay for my husband Zade, a born and bred romantic, whom has mentioned dozens of times his dream to LIVE in a castle. Our hosts Sonja and Kevin, who felt like friends from the start, are in the process of restoring this gem and their vision and artistry is apparent. Handyman Kevin discovers authentic details on ebay and repairs, buffs, and shines them to a thing of beauty. He is currently working on the “great hall” (I included a picture) where they can host intimate weddings! The night we arrived we were greeted by a jar of honey meed in celebration of our ten years. We turned on renaissance music and were transported to an age gone by. A night we will cherish always!

The Ring of Kerry {County Kerry, Ireland}

The one ring to rule them all: the magical Ring of Kerry!

We settled into Ballinskelligs and drove round the Ring of Kerry over the course of a couple of days. Most round the ring in a day. But, we sleep late, drive slower, and stop more. So, we stretched it out!

We explored 15th century castle ruins…

Skipped atop stone ring forts standing strong since 600AD…

Chatted it up with a mill worker while picking up a cute knit at the Kerry Woollen Mill…

Hopped on a jaunting cart, just at rainfall, at Killarney National Park…

Rested in the peace of Derrynane Abbey, a graveyard and abbey ruin only accessible when tide is out..

and

Discovered stones that, in Irish Mythology, mark the burial ground for a bard magician’s beloved…

Thankful to Zade who gifted me by braving all the harried driving himself!

The Aran Islands {Galway, Ireland}

We spent two nights on the quiet Aran Island: Inis Oirr. The last ferry from the island to the mainland leaves in the early evening and it is then that the little island comes alive as local children chase their siblings down to the town pub and join the entire town crowded round the televised football game. We listen to local Gaelic chatter as we spoon steaming seafood chowder and brown bread into our mouths. Our AirBnb host Pairic, whose family has farmed Inis Oirr for generations, shares how this land resides in his heart. He has worked it from brambles and stones and built wall upon connecting wall. My heart is touched to hear of someone so grounded to the land of his birth. Zade sleeps in for a rest day and I wake early for a day of adventure. After Paraic's hearty breakfast of Irish bacon, eggs, and sausage I ferry to explore the more polished and most visited sister island Inis Mor by bicycle. A horse stands waiting to greet me as I cycle by on my way to Dun Aonghasa, a prehistoric semi circular hill fort perched 300 feet above the Atlantic. I race to discover The Serpent's Hole, a natural rectangular shaped pool into which the sea ebbs and flow at the bottom of the cliffs before my ferry returns me back to our sweet Inis Orr for the night. Before sunset we walk the sea path to see the amber rusted Plassey's Shipwreck, a cargo ship marooned by storm on the island in the 60's. Before we leave we choose a few famed Aran sweaters to keep the family cozy this fall. The shopkeeper tells me of his small island "I like it and I love it."

We agree. 

We stop for a quick peek at the Cliffs of Moher, ya know, since we're in the neighborhood.