Day 6 - Ross Castle, Innisfallen Island, Torc Waterfall, Muckross House

Breakfast at the hotel
We ate great apple crepes, good bread - a good meal overall. I also had hot chocolate.

Ross Castle (Ross Castle photos)
Our first stop today is at Ross Castle (wikipedia), where I took many photos in places I was allowed. This includes anywhere outside the castle, and views out the windows during the guided tour, which costs €5.30 for each person. Fodor's says €5, but this is evidence that you should always plan on paying more than what's listed in a guidebook. No other photos were allowed inside.



Innisfallen Island - boat ride (photos of Innisfallen)
Next we took a boat ride (€15 for both of us) to Innisfallen Island (wikipedia) in Lough Leane (which means Learning Lake) (wikipedia). Innisfallen Island was home to a monastary.

Wildlife / birds (wildlife photos)
After the boat ride to Innisfalle, I got a change to take some photos of patient birds who posed for me.

Lunch visitor center restaurant at Muckross House and Gardens (Muckross Garden photos)
Pre-made sandwiches ~€5 each

Torc Waterfall (Torc Waterfall photos)
We hiked up a trail to Torc waterfall. Walking up to the waterfall itself was easy, but continuing the climb was literally and figuratively breathtaking.

Jaunting cars
We had offers of rides from Jaunting Cars (horse drawn carriages). The drivers were bordering on pushy while somehow remaining polite as they offered rides from various places we parked at as we accessed the sites. We might have accepted, except the price for a ride was €35 ($50), and we were able to drive ourselves in our rented car, and/or walk to each destination.

Tour Muckross House
We took a tour of the famous Muckross House (wikipedia).

Pub dinner
For dinner we ate at The Laurels pub, "A great place to talk..." The back of menu mentions fine craic.
Kristin ate bruschetta, and I had fish and chips, and Guinness.

Towels and robes
This hotel has a sign in the bathroom: "Guests are asked not to remove towels or robes from the bedrooms. If you would like to retain any if these items please purchase them from the reception."
First, there were no robes supplied. Second, the towels feel like sandpaper - I'm not sure who would want to keep these towels!

[Photos of Ross Csatle] [Photos of Innisfallen] [Photos of Wildlife] [Photos of Muckross Garden] [Photos of Torc Waterfall] [All Ireland photos]