More serious than not

It has been a few days since my last post.  A combination of fatigue and business has kept me.  However, as we know, if it does not go down now, it will not be recorded.  Sad but true.  Since An Daingean we have gone round the Ring of Kerry, stayed a night with a lovely couple in Kenmare and spent 2 nights and a day thus far in Kinsale.

We were supposed to leave Kinsale this morning and head for Kilkenny and the Rock of Cashel.  But I have learned the value of multiple night stays with a darling little boy.  And after dragging our poor boy on a drive from Dingle to Kenmare, Round the Ring of Kerry and then Killarney to Kinsale (a total of about 10 hours) he deserves to stay in one spot another night.

So many lessons learned my dear friends with toddlers, I think I'll write one entire blog just full of tips on traveling to Europe with little ones.

So this Easter was a fascinating one.  In Ireland it is illegal to sell alcohol on Good Friday.  Our host, Neil, in Kenmare informed us it was "Black Friday".  He guaranteed that there were a few hosteleries that looked completely shut down but were packed inside.  This country values it's social drinking.  Neil informed us there are 2 black days every year.  Good Friday and Christmas.  This country who sells hard alcohol in every convenient store and supermarket.  All those sections are strictly closed off before noon on Sundays and on Black days.

There's something very charming about the Irish Catholics.  This may only be my perception but to me it seems they are more honest with their humanity.  I know the grass is always greener and EVERYONE, every religion has issue but I find this truly refreshing.  It seems to me among american protestants we are obsessed with shoving our humanity aside if not completely denying it's existance.  I recognize this is primarily in pentecostal circles.

By the way, Jeremy and I went to a lovely dinner that night at Mulcahy's and I (along with everyone else in the restaurant) broke the law.  If you are ever in Kenmare certainly go there, lovely food.

Another item of note.  Ireland seems to be just where we are in regards to political and economic struggles.  Perhaps because this is my first visit to an English speaking European country I am able to take note of it more clearly.  But when we traveled in 2005 it seemed that Italy was more of an alternate vacation universe.  Where as Ireland feels much closer to home.  Not to mention Northwesterners would feel right at home with the weather, truly.  Ireland too is facing a huge budget crisis, higher taxes (still non compared to the taxes we pay) to pay for mortgage lenders mistakes.

Enough seriousness, I just find it fascinating how small the world is now.

Aside from that Kinsale is a wonderful town.  Entirely underrated if you ask me in Rick Steve's guidebook.  You find a lot more European tourists here as opposed to the American tourists who go straight to Killarney.  As Americans in this town we are hugely outnumbered, as it should be when traveling.

Yesterday Jeremy and I visited Charles Fort.  It is awesome!  If you are in Kinsale, this is a must see.  If you'll forgive me, I'm going to copy/paste a description from the tourism website.  I believe the IRA even used this old fort for a headquarters at one time.  By the way, perfect for kiddos to run all over!  Perfect for explorers of all ages.  I will post more pictures later on facebook.

Charles Fort is a classic example of a late 17th century star-shaped fort. William Robinson, architect of the Royal Hospital in Kilmainham, Dublin, and Superintendent of Fortifications, is credited with designing the fort. As one of the largest military installations in the country, Charles Fort has been associated with some of the most momentous events in Irish history. The most significant of these are the Williamite War 1689-91 and the Civil War 1922-23. Charles Fort was declared a National Monument in 1973.