Day 3

Brittas Bay Beach, Wicklow

Johnson Castle



Killmore Quay



Hook Head Lighhouse



countryside



Fri  9/17  Today we packed the car then headed  to get coffee and raspberry scones.  The Irish scones are like no other.   We have got to get the recipe for them and try to make them for the folks at home.  We headed  back to  the car and began our harrowing ride through Dublin at rush hour.  We survived the ordeal and got on the highway to Brittas Bay, just south of Wicklow.  This stop was one of Maggie’s (Maureen’s roommate) recommendations.  It lived up to its reputation.  We walked a sandy beach, climbed the dunes and collected rocks  and shells.  We also made an effort to take a lot of photos for Maggie.

Johnson Castle Gardens was next on our itinerary.  It was . . . well a castle and gardens.  The gardens were immaculate and the castle itself was built in the early 1800’s.  The grounds featured peacocks.  We walked around about an hour, shooting the castle from different angles and enjoying the fine weather and beauty of the place.  We went to the wall garden and had to admire what was grown there.  There were pears growing up the walls, sunflowers and various colored flowers.  We also chatted several times with a pair of Irish couples and no doubt we were the topic of their dinner conversation. 

We left the parking lot and headed to Killmore Quay, (pronounced key) a quaint fishing town with white houses and thatched roofs.   It smelled like a typical New England village.  By this time we were pretty hungry and wound up at the Silver Fox.  White tablecloths and empty, it was perfect.   Before we left, Shannon bought her Mom a beautiful pumpkin-colored scarf.  We also took some good photos.

Brittas Bay Beach



Johnson Castle grounds



In the dungeon



Johnson Castle Watchtower

 Hook Head Peninsula was our next destination.  As we wound around tight curves and down narrow roads, we stopped to photograph a burned out church and cemetery.  At the end of the road lay our destination, the Hook Head Lighthouse, which is one of the oldest in the world.  Perched on a dark and rocky shore, the facility was finally automated in 1996.  

Back on the road to Ballyhack to see the castle there.  It is one of the oldest in the country but was closed for the season.  We found a pipe-smoking gent working on a fishing boat and couldn’t resist a candid pic.  We hopped in the car and took the ferry in Arthurstown to avoid a 45 minute drive north of the channel.  Anything to avoid extra driving.  We headed to Dungarvan to stay at Barnawee B & B.  It proved to be a wonderful place to stay.  It is newer home overlooking a bay with a view of the bay as far as you can see.  The proprietors were kind and helpful, and we woke to the smell of a wonderful breakfast.