Daily Journal 2019: Celtic Invasion of Dingle, Ireland

I had trouble maintaining a detailed journal on last few year's Celtic Invasion Vacations. So this year, I kept a very short step-by-step journal to share what happened. You can use this as a sort of reference of what happens on other trips. I'll try to add details in other blogs later. Look for links below.

And of course, this is what I did. Others might've experienced things differently.

Friday, June 7, 2019

Arrived at airport. Grabbed coffee before meeting Gary and getting a rental car.

Stopped in Saggart at The Maple Tree. Poor service, but the Beef and Guinness casserole was delicious.

Arrived in Cork. Driving here sucks. Thin roads.

Met Steve at Maldron Hotel South Mall. Nice.

Walked to Gallagher’s Gastropub. Met group for dinner.

Tried to go to see an Irish session. The pub was packed and I was ready for bed.

Crashed at 10 pm.

Thursday, June 8, 2019

Awoke 7:10 am.

Walked to Nectar Cafe for coffee and croissant

Departed at 8:30 to hertz to get vans.

Picked up my half of Invaders. Met the rest at 10:30 at Ballincollig Castle. Explored the tower.

Drove to Gougane Barra. Had lunch then walked around the church and soaked in the beautiful atmosphere.

Stopped at Lidl in Killarney for groceries.

Drove to cottage in Dingle.

Made Pasta dinner. Played a short show, followed by a session. Crashed late.

Friday, June 9

9:30 drove into Dingle.

Shopped. Found a cheese store.

Ate lunch with Steve at pub.

13:00 Dingle boat tour. Saw Fungie and great caves

Walked to distillery to setup an appointment.

16:00 Dingle whiskey distillery tour.

18:00 Dinner at the Dingle pub.

Gerry O’Beirne came to our house for an interview.

Went back out to O’Connor’s courthouse pub for a session and music.

Headed back to house for a home session.

Monday, June 10

Dingle Peninsula drive.

Stopped at Fairy Fort and Sheep petting

Stopped at closed castle. Got coffee.

Stopped at beehive huts

Drove to Blaskett Center. Ate lunch. Wrote an Irish tune.

Music from Gerry O’Beirne and Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, followed by an Irish session.

Prince Charlie chicken night.

Tuesday, June 11

Had trouble sleeping. Awoke at 4:15. Left at 5:30. Drove to Ballinskellig off the Ring of Kerry for boat tour. Arrived at 7:15.

Boat left for Skellig Michael at 8:45. Arrived about 10 am.

Climbed Skellig. Boring safety instructions. Puffin season at Skellig!

30 min Climb to top and down. Not enough time!

Sailed back. Napped on boat. Drove back to house. Picked up Renee.

Dinner at The Boatyard. Seafood platter with lobster. Delicious! Drank Dingle Gin. OMG!

Back to the house. Helped Christopher pick chords for song. Sleep at 10.

Wednesday, June 12

Left around 10 am

Started Sinead the Sheep videos

Drove to Slea Head drive. Climbed hill. Went to beach. Played in water.

Stopped at Louis Macauy Pottery for lunch.

Then drove to Gallarus Oratory

Grocery store. Made steak or lamb dinner.

Jam session

Early to bed.

Thursday June 13

Drove to Killarney. Very pretty, walkable town.

Jaunting Car tour with horse and buggy around Killarney National Park.

Visited Muckross House and gardens

Lunch at restaurant. More of a cafe. Not so tasty.

Stopped at Torc Waterfall. Lots of midges down below. Cleared out up the hill.

Shopping in Killarney.

Dinner at The Shire, LOTR-Themed bar. Mediocre food. Rather disappointing overall.

Friday June 14

Drove up Conor Pass

Came back to Dingle Farmer's Market. Small.

Shopped.

Had lunch at The Boatyard

Visited pub on Cloghane Pier. Played darts.

Dinner back at The Boatyard

Went to John Benny’s Pub for live music. Gerry O’Beirne & Eilis Kennedy played. Packed early on. Apparently, it cleared out later, but I was tired and ready for bed.