Sheen Falls Day 3

We had an aperitif sitting beside the Falls 

but windy conditons drove us inside after an hour or so. Our intention this week- end was to visit Sceilig Michael but again, as with last summer,  plans were thwarted by choppy seas. 

Dinner was very good if not excellent. An Amuse Bouche of tomatoe soup flavoured with lobster, followed by oysters and scallops for starters, followed by filet steak and wild sea bass - (the only place I had seen WILD sea bass was at the food court in Harrods, where stratisferic prices were being quoted! ) Surprisingly, there was no sorbet to cleanse the palet.  A cheese board and lemon tart followed by coffee and petit fours completed the meal, all 'washed down' with a half bottle of Sancerre and a bottle of Chateau Musar! 

As we finished a group of guests gathered around the piano in the dining room,  where the pianist had been playing as we ate. One of the guests was an excellent tenor who sang many songs from the operas, accompanied by the excellent pianist. I thought initially that he was Italian, but as we discovered this morning, he is from St Petersburg but has spent the last 25 years in Canada. I doubt Putin would have enjoyed one of his fellow countrymen singing God Bless America to the 90% of American guests staying at the hotel. The Irish are in the minority, possibly a half a dozen couples. 

After midnight, we repaired to bed and this morning following an excellent breakfast of my favourite Eggs Benedict, we are in the process of packing and about to depart..,, 

A most enjoyable weekend save for the restaurant service at the lodge which was abominable!!

Sheen Falls Day 2

It was a lovely  morning, so we decided to walk the estate. The highlight is the Queen's  Walk, opened in honour of Queen Victoria, who visited the area in the 1860s. However, it is now closed and a sorry sight as Petty's forestry, (he of the Downes Survey fame , who surveyed the country with a 1,000 soldiers in 15 months - were that we were so efficient today! In payment,  Cromwell gave him lands in the area- 3,500 acres and by 1666, he owned 270,000, having purchased land from Cromwell's soldiers, who wished to return to England), was ravaged by unprecedented gales last winter as was much of the south and west coasts.- remember Ardmore, dear reader? 

We walked down by the Falls - not as spectacular as Niagra and Iguazu Falls ( dear reader can you locate the latter? ) 

but it has its own charm. 

Later, we used the Lodge bikes to cycle to Glen Inchaquin Park on the Beara Penninsula.  

It was supposed to be 5 km cycle but after 10 km and having queried  locals as to distance, 'just a mile up the road"  we gave up and returned to Kenmare - a round trip of 20 km and all before lunch!! It was a very scenic cycle by the Kenmare river.  

Crossing the bridge into Kenmare town, 

we cycled around the town, espying, dear learned friends, what must be the most spectacular looking courthouse in Ireland. 

We adjourned to The Purple Heather, an old favourite from previous visits and partook of a plate of Irish cheeses together with an excellent LV port. We sat outside observing the visitors as the sun shone benevolently down on us. 

 

We set out on our return journey to Sheen Falls and I nearly came to a sad end as my bag caught in the spokes of the front wheel!! Practice in my younger years obviously saved me to torture you with further blogs on my world journeys. 

A hour spent by the pool to rest my weary limbs was just 'the ticket' ; the sun shining on the glass roof so I no need to avail of their sauna. 

Dinner at 8 here in the hotel. What culinary delights await??

Sheen Falls Co Kerry Ireland

Sheen Falls Lodge in the South West of Ireland was a former Landlord agent's home. He lived as if he were the landlord! 

This is a truly picturesque part of Ireland with its high, windswept mountains, its remote valleys and sandy beaches 

Our room, which is very large in size by modern hotel standards, has a stunning views over the Kenmare river. The hotel had spacious common areas including a spa and library

It is a truly historic area, originating as the   monastic settlement of St Finian in 8th century. After the rebellion of 1641, the Barony was granted to Sir William Petty of Downes survey fame. (the entire island of Ireland was surveyed by soldiers under Petty's direction in 15 months ! )  it remained in the Petty family until 1936

Last night, we decided to walk to Kenmare and have dinner at Packie's. The recommended starter of prawns in filo pastry was spectacular. They were the freshest tasting prawns I've ever had This was followed by rack of Kerry lamb for partner and Sole Muniere on the bone for moi. Again so fresh, it was delicious. All the fish comes from Castletownbere each day and the flavour and freshness was evident. Interestingly, a note on the menu mentioned the fact that they did not serve imported fish!! 

After a delicious sticky toffee pudding, we decided to walk back to the lodge, only to get totally lost with the aid of Google maps!! I heard noise from a house and decided to ask for directions - as it turned out, we were on the estate and minutes from the hotel. The young man who gave us directions served our breakfast this morning!!