Who Scattered the Stars?

The Ring of Kerry Weekend

April 1-3,2011


Programme

Friday
3.00 p.m. Bus Departs College
4.30 p.m. Killarney Bus Station
7.00 p.m. Dinner
8.00 p.m. “Life in South Kerry” (Local Speaker)
9.00 p.m. Céilí Dancing Class & Live Trad Band


I cannot even begin to describe how amazing the Ring of Kerry was. We were lucky to have the most amazing weekend ever- weather wise. Everything included was € 170. It was worth every penny. The hotel was amazing. I took a bath both nights and it was heaven on earth! It was one of the best parts about the trip. They also supplied soap, towels, and a television. It was amazing.






At night we had dinner and also dessert. There was bread at each meal the whole weekend: breakfast lunch, and dinner.
I had a beet lasagna which was delicious and a cream puff-like pastry for dessert. Grace had banoffe pie which was so much different than I expected it to be. Nonetheless the food was delicious. Next we dad traditional Irish dancing. It was AMAZING! I cannot even begin to describe how much fun I had. Although I am so bad at dancing, it was worth every horrible dance move I have.

Grace and I headed to bed once again reading our books and magazines and talking until late.

Saturday
8.30 a.m. Breakfast
9.30 a.m. Skellig Ring Tour
(Valentia Island, Hilltop Walk, Skellig
Experience Centre, St. Finian’s Bay,
Ballinskelligs Beach & Castle)
2.30 p.m. Lunch
Afternoon Free
7.00 p.m. Dinner
8.00 p.m. “Gaelic Football” (Local Speaker)
9.30p.m. Table Quiz & Prize giving

Saturday was by far the best day we had there. After breakfast we toured Valentia Island. It is known for it's slate which was used to build the House of Parliament in England.
We also went uphill to a beautiful pedestrian lookout. Before we went, our tour guide knew the people who owned the farm right across the street and I was able to pet the baby cows. The one in the picture was my favourite.




The Skellig Ring tour was incredible. It was a rainy day which turned into something more beautiful than words. We did look like tourists. The Island of Valencia is so tiny. I would love to live there.




After, we went to have tea. the tea in The Ring of Kerry was the most delicious tea I have ever had. I did not use milk or sugar once.
During tea, we had poems read to us by a daughter of a poet/ writer/ painter who is famous in the area. She read a poem called, 'Who Scattered The Stars". I was in awe.

Who Scattered the Stars?

Hark! From the abyss
Of darkness
A mighty rumbling roared,
Likened
To a voice-command :
‘Roll back, dark night!
My blinding stars
Will fill
The infinite
With light.
I do not toll
A funeral bell
For you!
I give you life,
I fill the seas,
And rock is born,
Where angry wind
Lays battle to a wave.’

Dewdrops glisten
Like diamond glass.
Moonbeams spin
Silk spiders’ skeins
Of fairy silk
Among morning stalks
Of grass.

It is time to scatter the stars,
Time to light a thousand
Billion lamps,
To pebble-dash a beach,
Wood a forest,
And flow a river.
Time to banish serpents,
Time to seek the spirit,
Time to be crucified
With love.
Time to wonder,
Time to ponder,
Time to stand in awe,
Trying to understand
Who scattered the stars.


But after we went down to the beach and got our feet soaked getting to a castle. It was more than worth it.























The afternoon free after lunch was spent exploring the small village center. It is like Main Street in New Paltz. One street that has a million different types of stores with each one painted a pretty bold colour which is better seen in the mornings. But there were palm trees and also flowers blooming in small lawns.







After dinner, we hard a local speaker talk about Gaelic Football. It was amazing, and then everyone went into the pub and we played table quizzes. We came in second to last. I consider that winning.
After I took a bath and Grace and I indulged ourselves in our books.


Sunday
8.30 a.m. Breakfast
9.30 a.m. Walking Tour of Cahersiveen & Stone Forts
12.00 p.m. Lunch
12.30 p.m. Depart hotel - Waterville, Derrynane
House (tour), Sneem, Ladies View,
Molls Gap, Killarney
6.30 p.m. Back to UL

After Breakfast we headed on our journey. The multicoloured buildings were beautiful int he morning. We walked to a farmer who just had baby lambs. They were ADORABLE.











We then went to these old forts that were circular. I guess it is more like a landmark now being taken care of by locals.








After we headed back to the hotel for lunch and then we left for our journey home. We made some stops along the way to some breath taking views. I don't know if I have ever seen a place more beautiful than this.
This was Waterville. Unspeakably beautiful.









We then stopped at Daniel O'Connell's house (Derrynane
House tour). What a beautiful place, and he had his own carriage. The most exciting part I though were his gardens. They were amazing.









Our last stop was off the beaten path. There was a waterfall and everything was green. Moss covered the trees and the rocks. The only thing that was not covered in green was the water.






Our journey then came to an end. We made a quick stop in Klarney and then we were headed to Limerick. It was the most beautiful weekend in Ireland as was Giants Casuseway, but the Ring of Kerry was more desolate then the Causeway, but nonetheless, they were both breath taking and thank goodness for the amazing weather two weekend in a row.