Walk, parade, rugby

Today started with a 2 hour loop walk through Annascaul and up to a glacial lake which was beautiful. The village has 2 famous sons; Tom Crean who was on the fated expeditions with both Scott and Shackleton, and Jerome Connor a renowned sculptor.

Memorial to Crean with the pub he opened in the background.

The sheep came running to the gate thinking humans = food.

Always someone to chat to;

We then jumped into the car to get to Dingle in time for the St Patricks Day Parade at lunchtime. There had been a first parade at 6 am which means Dingle can claim to have Ireland's earliest parade! The audience were dressed up too.

There was a real tongue in cheek attitude both in the commentary (St Patrick was introduced as the welshman (he was born in Wales) and in some of the characters in the parade. This trio were illustrating how ex President Mary McAleese had upset the church with her recent comments about their 'misogyny '.

A variety of entrants in the parade;

Next we drove back home to a lovely peat log fire and the rugby match which was not lovely.

After dinner we went for a drink to Tom Crean's South Pole Inn which was packed with memorabilia about his eventful life. We also popped upstairs where they have a small exhibition of some of Jerome Connor's sculptures. Martin has been inspired and is looking forward to getting the clay out when we get back.