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has an orange tint, which turns a pleas-
          ant creamy rust color when milk is add-
          ed.
          The allure of doing as the Irish do, and
          sipping hot tea on a cold day is one of
          the simple pleasures to be had on a vis-
          it to Ireland.  In Ballyseede Castle near
          the town of Tralee, a pot of tea brews all
          afternoon near the fireplace in the Vic-
          torian room for castle guests to enjoy as
          they wish.  Relaxing inside by the fire,
          my daughters and I drank 4 cups of tea
          each – just two shy of the daily average
          in one sitting!!  Now that’s a real Irish
          afternoon.

          Ring of Skellig

          The Ring of Skellig is a 60 kilometer mo-
          tor loop that detours from the world
          famous Ring of Kerry, which is a bigger
          loop of three times that length that cir-
          cles around the entire county of Kerry.
          Skellig ring is more secluded and rugged
          with  some of  the narrowest, windiest
          roads in the country.  This is good be-
          cause it makes for a more secluded and
          off the beaten path adventure.

          Much of the Skellig ring road traverses
          coastal mountains whose green slopes
          sweep  gradually  downward  to  the  sea.
          The road is sometimes high on the hill
          and sometimes dips right down to the
          water’s edge.  In between panoramic
          views of the Atlantic coast, you can stop
          in at quaint villages like Port Magee, for,
          (yes another) pint of Guinness or hot
          whiskey and chat with the local towns-
          people who always are glad to make your
          acquaintance.

          The Burren
          If Ireland is the Emerald Isle, then
          The Burren is her birthmark.  For 250
          square kilometers the landscape turns
          limestone grey and barren.  Trees are
          suddenly non-existent and all the green
          shades of the Irish spring can only be
          seen in your rear view memory.  The vast
          naked land is composed of large silvery
          grey and off-white limestone rocks sit-
          uated like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle that
          are laid out and ready to be snapped in
          place.

          Tranquility on the grounds of Muckross Castle near
          Killarney. Opposite top: “Galway Girls” shopping in
          the Latin Quarter. Opposite center: Root veggies in
          Galway’s Farmer’s Market.



                                                                                   Wine Dine & Travel Summer 2014  77
                                                                       Photos courtesy of   T he  I nn a t R anchos S an ta F e
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