We left Kilkenny early to beat the traffic on the Ring road and found it harrowing just the same. Apparently, the roads to come are even narrower and so we rested up, and lunched on local ingredients in Kenmare — a cozy little tourist town en route — and visited our first Stone Circle.
No one knows exactly why the 15 stones sit in a circle just outside town, or why the centre stone is larger than the rest. No one could tell us who arranged the stones or when they were set down. Archaeologists say evidence suggests that 4,500 years ago the stone circle served some ritual purpose for the pagan religion of the day — something tied to the worship of the sun since the shadows from the stones fall into alignment on the summer and winter solstice. Today, they bring in a little tourist revenue, which would come as a surprise to the ancients who once lived here, I’m sure.
We arrived at Parknasilla mid-afternoon and enjoyed walking the grounds along the sea shore. I came upon a fairy trail and found some darling little houses, just the size of the folk that inhabit these parts. Tomorrow on to Dingle!
Kenmare
Parknasilla
Parknasilla
Fairy Folks
