DAY EIGHT
SATURDAY, MAY 25, 2019
breathtaking scenery and a performance from the house band
For our last full day in County Cork, we went out with a bang - the Mizen Head Peninsula.
Known as the southernmost point in Ireland (which is not technically true but close enough), Mizen Head is a dramatic jagged landscape that once housed a working signal station, weather station, and lighthouse. It’s one of those places you can photograph all you want and it’ll never evoke how spectacular that scenery really is. But I sure was gonna try.
But to back up a second, we started at the Visitor's Center where they have various displays about the peninsula, from the tides to the topography, plus a little café.
We then headed out to wander among the rocks and bridges, trying not to blow away in the wind while being metaphorically blown away by the beautiful coastline of Ireland.
This cow has a hell of a view.
After leaving Mizen Head, we stopped in the small town of Crookhaven for lunch at O’Sullivans and some pup fun outside.
Then, to walk off lunch, we headed to the nearby Barley Cove Beach. A beautiful day to take off the shoes and wade in the shallow water.
(Thank you Tricia & Chris for the second two photos! That walkway was fun.)
Before heading back to the hotel, we made a stop at a nearby altar wedge tomb, built around 3000-2000 BCE and used originally as a place to cremate and then to bury the dead.
Definitely (accidentally) fell fast asleep while lying down in the grass right here. But it was a particularly great little nap in the sun.
After that nice sunny rest, we headed back to the hotel, and were on our own in Rosscarbery for dinner. Even on a Saturday night it’s a pretty sleepy town, and choices were limited, but a few of us found ourselves at Market House and ended up having a really excellent meal.
Tonight’s music was courtesy of Harmonious Wail, our tour leaders. We had seen them perform a few casual pieces so far, so it was nice to see Sims, Maggie, and Jeff in a more formal light. Killer musicians!
I didn’t take video, but here’s an opportunity to show them at their best, courtesy of YouTube. I love the vibe of this kind of jazz in general, but I’m always floored by sheer technical skill…and I really can’t wrap my head around what they do! Excuse me while I go practice some scales.
After the performance, we stayed in the room at the hotel and made a big circle for an informal little jam session before calling it a night. Love that so many people in our group brought their instruments with them!