{"id":744,"date":"2020-07-10T21:58:21","date_gmt":"2020-07-10T21:58:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elishalemoire.wordpress.com\/?page_id=744"},"modified":"2020-09-01T10:41:32","modified_gmt":"2020-09-01T10:41:32","slug":"tralee-and-dingle-peninsula","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/explorewithelisha.azurewebsites.net\/index.php\/tralee-and-dingle-peninsula\/","title":{"rendered":"Tralee and Dingle Peninsula"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em>October, 2015<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-coblocks-gallery-collage has-small-gutter\"><ul><li class=\"wp-block-coblocks-gallery-collage__item item-1\"><figure class=\"wp-block-coblocks-gallery-collage__figure\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"765\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/img_0522-1024x765.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-index=\"0\" data-id=\"2281\" data-imglink=\"\" data-link=\"http:\/\/explorewithelisha.azurewebsites.net\/?attachment_id=2281\" class=\"wp-image-2281\" srcset=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/img_0522.jpg 1024w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/img_0522-300x224.jpg 300w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/img_0522-768x574.jpg 768w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/img_0522-665x497.jpg 665w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/img_0522-348x260.jpg 348w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-coblocks-gallery-collage__item item-2\"><figure class=\"wp-block-coblocks-gallery-collage__figure\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"765\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/img_0511-1024x765.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-index=\"1\" data-id=\"2282\" data-imglink=\"\" data-link=\"http:\/\/explorewithelisha.azurewebsites.net\/?attachment_id=2282\" class=\"wp-image-2282\" srcset=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/img_0511.jpg 1024w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/img_0511-300x224.jpg 300w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/img_0511-768x574.jpg 768w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/img_0511-665x497.jpg 665w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/img_0511-348x260.jpg 348w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-coblocks-gallery-collage__item item-3\"><figure class=\"wp-block-coblocks-gallery-collage__figure\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"765\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/img_0508-1024x765.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-index=\"2\" data-id=\"2286\" data-imglink=\"\" data-link=\"http:\/\/explorewithelisha.azurewebsites.net\/?attachment_id=2286\" class=\"wp-image-2286\" srcset=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/img_0508.jpg 1024w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/img_0508-300x224.jpg 300w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/img_0508-768x574.jpg 768w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/img_0508-665x497.jpg 665w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/img_0508-348x260.jpg 348w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-coblocks-gallery-collage__item item-4\"><figure class=\"wp-block-coblocks-gallery-collage__figure\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/paddys-bar-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-index=\"3\" data-id=\"2284\" data-imglink=\"\" data-link=\"http:\/\/explorewithelisha.azurewebsites.net\/?attachment_id=2284\" class=\"wp-image-2284\" srcset=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/paddys-bar.jpg 1024w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/paddys-bar-300x225.jpg 300w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/paddys-bar-768x576.jpg 768w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/paddys-bar-665x499.jpg 665w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/paddys-bar-347x260.jpg 347w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-coblocks-gallery-collage__item item-5\"><figure class=\"wp-block-coblocks-gallery-collage__figure\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"765\" height=\"1024\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/img_0509-765x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-index=\"4\" data-id=\"2285\" data-imglink=\"\" data-link=\"http:\/\/explorewithelisha.azurewebsites.net\/?attachment_id=2285\" class=\"wp-image-2285\" srcset=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/img_0509.jpg 765w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/img_0509-224x300.jpg 224w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/img_0509-665x890.jpg 665w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/img_0509-194x260.jpg 194w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 765px) 100vw, 765px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Making our way to Tralee we were excited to treat ourselves to the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ballyseedecastle.com\/\">Ballyseed Castle<\/a>&nbsp;where we had 4* accommodations booked in an elegant room, with a 5-course dinner in the O\u2019Connel Restaurant and a full Irish breakfast in the morning.&nbsp;&nbsp;After driving up from Portmagee along the Ring of Kerry, we were excited to settle in and be pampered for a night of luxury.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From the moment we arrived we were treated like royalty, and settled into the last leg of our Irish adventure in style, taking a step back in time.&nbsp;&nbsp;We ironically received the Japan themed room, which made me laugh as I had literally just returned from a seven week stay in Japan.&nbsp;&nbsp;We enjoyed walking the woodlands and gardens, an afternoon of tea and sweets and meeting Mr. Higgins, an Irish Wolfhound and Bubbles, too!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"765\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/img_0496-1-1024x765.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2287\" srcset=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/img_0496-1.jpg 1024w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/img_0496-1-300x224.jpg 300w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/img_0496-1-768x574.jpg 768w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/img_0496-1-665x497.jpg 665w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/img_0496-1-348x260.jpg 348w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"765\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/img_0503-1-1024x765.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2288\" srcset=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/img_0503-1.jpg 1024w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/img_0503-1-300x224.jpg 300w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/img_0503-1-768x574.jpg 768w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/img_0503-1-665x497.jpg 665w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/img_0503-1-348x260.jpg 348w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Our evening started in \u2018Pappy\u2019s Bar\u2019 gathered around the fire, playing the rock game with Einstein &#8211; you know I love dogs and this castle has them all!&nbsp;&nbsp;We enjoyed a few cocktails prior to our 5-course dinner in the O\u2019Connell Restaurant.&nbsp;&nbsp;The cuisine, the wine, the venue, the view and the company made this experience truly an authentic Ireland experience from start to finish.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery aligncenter columns-3 is-cropped\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"337\" height=\"337\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/dinner-salad.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"2289\" data-link=\"http:\/\/explorewithelisha.azurewebsites.net\/?attachment_id=2289\" class=\"wp-image-2289\" srcset=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/dinner-salad.jpg 337w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/dinner-salad-150x150.jpg 150w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/dinner-salad-300x300.jpg 300w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/dinner-salad-100x100.jpg 100w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/dinner-salad-260x260.jpg 260w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/dinner-salad-200x200.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 337px) 100vw, 337px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"576\" height=\"576\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/ballyseede-castle-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"2290\" data-link=\"http:\/\/explorewithelisha.azurewebsites.net\/?attachment_id=2290\" class=\"wp-image-2290\" srcset=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/ballyseede-castle-2.jpg 576w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/ballyseede-castle-2-150x150.jpg 150w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/ballyseede-castle-2-300x300.jpg 300w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/ballyseede-castle-2-100x100.jpg 100w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/ballyseede-castle-2-260x260.jpg 260w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/ballyseede-castle-2-200x200.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 576px) 100vw, 576px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/ballyseede-castle-dinner.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"2291\" data-link=\"http:\/\/explorewithelisha.azurewebsites.net\/?attachment_id=2291\" class=\"wp-image-2291\" srcset=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/ballyseede-castle-dinner.jpg 600w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/ballyseede-castle-dinner-150x150.jpg 150w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/ballyseede-castle-dinner-300x300.jpg 300w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/ballyseede-castle-dinner-100x100.jpg 100w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/ballyseede-castle-dinner-260x260.jpg 260w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/ballyseede-castle-dinner-200x200.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The original plan for the next day was to explore the Emerald Isle \u2013 the Dingle Peninsula.&nbsp;&nbsp;We had heard that this rugged landscape had a rich history, outstanding restaurants, authentic pubs, local artists, fascinating archeological sites, stunning landscapes and a rugged coastline.&nbsp;&nbsp;Life is not always about rigidity and rule following, and therefore sometimes you need to feel free to deviate from the plan.&nbsp;&nbsp;When lounging in our suite at the Castle, we stumbled across an article on Mount Brandon in a magazine which referred to it as \u201carguably the most impressive hiking route along Ireland\u2019s Wild Atlantic Way\u201d.&nbsp;&nbsp;All of the sudden, we had a new plan and headed out to find Mount Brandon the following morning, after fueling ourselves with&nbsp;breakfast in the stone room.  Breakfast offered a variety of freshly baked breads, fruit, juice, cold meats, pastries and Irish cheeses on top the traditional Irish breakfast fare consisting of eggs, fried tomatoes and black and white puddings.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are two paths up Mount Brandon; the Saints\u2019 Road (easier one) lasting 3-4 hours and the Pilgrims\u2019 Path (scenic, but harder) lasting 4-5 hours.&nbsp;&nbsp;Guess which one we opted for?  Neither!&nbsp;&nbsp;We chose, instead,&nbsp;&nbsp;the Brandon Range Walk, 6.5 hours (15km), which covers the main peaks of the Brandon Mountain range, including Gearhane Mountain, Brandon Peak and Mount Brandon.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mount Brandon is the second highest mountain in Ireland at 951.7m.&nbsp;&nbsp;Mount Brandon towers over everything the Dingle Peninsula has to offer, including views of jagged sea cliffs, sandy beaches, isolated villages and the glistening sea.&nbsp;&nbsp;Trust me, if you are in the mood for a good hike \u2013 not for the faint-hearted &#8211; along with incredible views of coastal Ireland, it doesn\u2019t get any better than this.&nbsp;&nbsp;It has been said, life is not about the destination, but the journey and this journey was completely worth it.&nbsp;&nbsp;Pause and reflect at the top, looking at your accomplishment and relish in how lucky you are for this moment and this view.&nbsp;&nbsp;As this was not on the original itinerary, I definitely recommend hiking shoes with a solid grip, compared to the running shoes we both hiked in \u2013 it can get a little dangerous in some sections with the rocks.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"765\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/img_0520-1-1024x765.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2292\" srcset=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/img_0520-1.jpg 1024w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/img_0520-1-300x224.jpg 300w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/img_0520-1-768x574.jpg 768w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/img_0520-1-665x497.jpg 665w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/img_0520-1-348x260.jpg 348w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>October, 2015 Making our way to Tralee we were excited to treat ourselves to the&nbsp;Ballyseed Castle&nbsp;where we had 4* accommodations booked in an elegant room, with a 5-course dinner in the O\u2019Connel Restaurant and a full Irish breakfast in the morning.&nbsp;&nbsp;After driving up from Portmagee along the Ring of Kerry, we were excited to settle [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/explorewithelisha.azurewebsites.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/744"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/explorewithelisha.azurewebsites.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/explorewithelisha.azurewebsites.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/explorewithelisha.azurewebsites.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/explorewithelisha.azurewebsites.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=744"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"http:\/\/explorewithelisha.azurewebsites.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/744\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4076,"href":"http:\/\/explorewithelisha.azurewebsites.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/744\/revisions\/4076"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/explorewithelisha.azurewebsites.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=744"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}