27 June: Day Six
Crystal Demonstration
Our first stop of the day was at the Dingle Crystal Workshop. Forget Waterford! (Which apparently isn't made in Ireland anymore?) Dingle is the place for beautiful cut glass.
Sean gave us a demonstration on how he creates these amazing works of art. The pieces were out of my price range, but it was so much fun to see them made. |
Bono, Is That You?
Slea Head Drive
Next we were off to admire Mother Nature's amazing art work. The views from the bus were breathtaking. As we traveled around the Slea Head Drive, we made numerous stops including several scenic overlooks, the Gallarus Oratory, Blasket Island Center as well as the church ruins of Kilmalkedar. A local guide had joined us on the bus when we started in Dingle. So we enjoyed lots of history, stories, and local folklore! As we walked around these old historic sites, it was easy to imagine the history was seeping up through the ground and surrounding us. Okay, so maybe it was just the dirt and dust, but I'd rather imagine it was the history!
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Rick is Right!
Rick often advises to become a temporary local by visiting the same places several times so people will remember you. So for dinner our second night in Dingle we went back to the Dingle Pub where we had stopped in the night before! And the same gentleman who had entertained us with red and white lemonade did remember us, and just like that we were temporary locals (or possibly annoying tourists).
Our next stop in town was the folk music concert at the St. James Church next door. Declan had collected money from those of us that wanted to attend the concert (since this was an OPTIONAL experience and not part of the tour) and arranged the tickets for us. The concert was fantastic! There was a mixture of people performing, instruments, and styles but it was all amazing and toe tapping! One of the most amazing performers was a male Irish dancer whose feet were faster than a hummingbird's wings! His feet moved so fast you could not see them! After the concert, Rebecca and I enjoyed a bit more music back at the Dingle Pub (YEP! Temporary locals again!).
Our next stop in town was the folk music concert at the St. James Church next door. Declan had collected money from those of us that wanted to attend the concert (since this was an OPTIONAL experience and not part of the tour) and arranged the tickets for us. The concert was fantastic! There was a mixture of people performing, instruments, and styles but it was all amazing and toe tapping! One of the most amazing performers was a male Irish dancer whose feet were faster than a hummingbird's wings! His feet moved so fast you could not see them! After the concert, Rebecca and I enjoyed a bit more music back at the Dingle Pub (YEP! Temporary locals again!).