The Dingle Loop - Part I

When we were all recovered from our hike and drank a gallon of water we continued our drive on the Dingle Loop. There was lots of scenery to look it...it was just so beautiful! We went through the small village of Ventry, passed Paddy O'Shea's bar,  and saw a two-room schoolhouse. We then stopped at the parking lot for Dunbeg Fort. This fort was from Ireland's Iron Age (500BC-500AD). I thought it was pricey to see a fort that literally looked like it was going to fall into a sea...so we all decided to skip it. 

Dunbeg Fort in the distance

We walked across the road to the cute Stonehouse restaurant. We bought some drinks and we all used the toilets. Then we all got back into the car again. 

Stonehouse Restaurant

warming up by the fire

Our next stop was the Famine cottage in Fahan. This cottage was abandoned by the Kavanaugh family 150 years ago, during the famine. When we paid our entry fee they gave us a bowl of food for the animals to feed on our way up to the cottage. My little animal lover was in HEAVEN! L was feeding and talking to the animals and made sure they each got the same amount. She is just too funny!

Just look how happy she is?

The Famine Cottages

We first went into the main house cottage

The main cottage was built in 1845 using mud and stone. It originally had two rooms and a loft. A ladder was used to access the loft. 

Kitchen

Bedroom

Child's bed and crib

View of the loft entrance...with a scary looking doll

This was one of the soup bowls that was used during the famine. Soup kitchens were set up around the country but in order to get the soup the Irish Catholics had to either 1. renounce their religion OR 2. make their name more English sounding (e.g. dropping the "O" on O'Sullivan). That is where the expression was coined "taking/took the soup". 

Big Famine soup bowl

The stable was built here in 1880 to house the animals during the winter. 

inside the stable 

I honestly could not imagine living in these houses during the famine. They must have been freezing during the winter in the cold and wind. The Kavanaugh family ended up taking a ship over to the US and they settled in the New England area. They had around 18 children (somewhere between 16-19 children...I can't 
remember). ;-) Many died when they were born due to unknown reasons. 

another little hut that they probably used for animals

Looking at the back of the cottage towards the water

After I was able to pull L away from the animals on the walk back down to the car....we started back on the road. Our drive was honestly just beautiful and breathtaking...it just keeps getting better and better. We pulled off at Slea Head which is marked by a crucifix. We had incredible views of the Blasket Islands. 

View of the Blasket Islands

We continued our amazing drive on the Dingle Loop. We drove through Ballyferriter which is the largest town on this side. This town was established by a Norman family in the 12th century. 

We found a little beach! 

Our journey continues on the Dingle Loop...