But before leaving town we got to watch some crystal cutting. Dingle Crystal was started by Sean Daly, a former Waterford employee. It was amazing how quickly he could cut an intricate pattern into a simple glass object.
As I have said before, signs are confusing in Ireland. The fog was lifting as we made our way onto Slea Head Drive. And the roads were as narrow as yesterday, and the drop offs down to the sea much greater.
The picture does not capture the beauty of the area. Many movies were shot in the area, from "Ryan's Daughter" to "Star Wars". We have made a list and will be watching them on our return home.
The obligatory group photo. The weather could not have been better.
What you are looking at in this picture is an early Christian church from around 700 AD. When the rest of Europe was going through the Dark Ages, monks on the far edge of Europe were practicing their religion here in Ireland. The weather must have been brutal in the winter.
These structures were always built facing East/West, with a door on one side and window on the other. The walls were about 3 feet thick, and built without mortar.
Vera and I have been amazed by the Fuchsia plants we see along the road. Fuchsia originally came from Chile, and have done quite well in Ireland. They grow wild, and in huge hedges along the road. Supposedly they will do well in the Seattle area, although we have only tried the hanging basket variety.
Tomorrow will be a free day in Dingle, plus we have tickets to hear some traditional Irish music. And, the weather forecast continues to look good.
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