Valentia Island isn't that big. It only took me 15 minutes to drive down its spine to reach the small town of Knightstown at the eastern tip. You can glimpse the ferry pier in the background.However before I took the regular ferry, I decided to break for coffee and cake. In a local cafe I heard the Irish tendency to flatten syllables, errm becoming emmm. In fact I noticed similarities between east coast US accents and the Irish accent.
Seagulls in Ireland were larger than the ones in Sydney. closer to turkeys than chickens. Maybe they need more strength in the strong winds.
Little green car waiting to board.
Finally I boarded too. Looking towards the main island.
Looking back at Valentia.I arrived at my B&B for the night, called Cul Draiochta, meaning magic nook, as the owner was interested in Gaelic history. It was very easy to find, just after the junction of the main N70 and the spur road to the ferry. It was very comfortable.
I drove into the town of Cahersiveen, looking for a dinner place. Nothing looked suitable.Apparently this Catholic church is the only one named after a layperson, Daniel O'Connell, an Irish patriot. Among other things he started the National Bank of Ireland that wouldn't discriminate against Catholics, which the then Bank of Ireland did.
So I decided to take the suggestion of the B&B host of the seafood bar at the ferry landing. I drove back on the spur road and parked here.
It was fairly buzzing, being Friday evening. Prices were a bit steep, but I didn't want a full meal so I opted for crab salad and a glass of white. It was very tasty and even had slivers of shell in the meat that the worker had missed. I know, it's painstaking work.And with this I closed off a picturesque and very satisfactory day of touring.
