The rain, wind and mist, instead of dampening our spirits, created incredible eerie light everywhere we went. It was impossible to take a bad photo. We felt like hardened, warrior tourists out in the elements, soaked through our coats yet eager for more fascinating stops. The beach in this photo was empty and wild, waves crashing and roaring, wind whipping and rain pelting our faces. Yet we played in the rocks, looking for treasures when others might cower in cars. Ancient oratories (places of prayer) with markings so old they are likely druid. A cemetery so old it combined Viking gods with Christianity in a beautiful mix of ornate carved buildings with primitive cat head sculptures and stone markings predating modern written language. Check out this incredible church and cemetery here: Kilmalkadar Church
There were crashing waves the color of sea glass underneath steep cliffs along the roadside, a huge crucifix on a mountainous shore which was the last glimpse of Ireland seen from ships filled with immigrants long ago, remains of cottages occupied during famine years and green, everywhere green lush landscape as far as the eye could see. It wasn't all misty ruins and moody landscapes, however. Damian's jokes and pranks kept us on our toes, while a random herd of cows crossing the road made us jump out of the car full of smiles and squeals of delight. There was no paint o'clock on a rainy travel day, so the piece at the beginning of this blog was painted days before, along the banks of the River Feale just as the sun was setting, flashing brilliantly along the water.
We return to lovely Listowel from Dingle today, newly inspired and ever more enamored of this wild and beautiful land.
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AuthorLola Jovan |