Blasket Islands Ecotour & Musical Treat

At breakfast this morning, we decided to do an afternoon boat ride to the nearby Blasket Islands.  Our hostess was kind enough to let us borrow her phone to see about a reservation. One of the many good points for going somewhere in the margin between the off season and on season is that most adventures are both operating and available.  With 7 people in tow, we might not have been so lucky had we called the morning of in the middle of the high tourism time.  So, having done these sorts of boat outings in the North Atlantic before (albeit on the other side), we knew full well the importance of bundling up. So, right after breakfast, we drove into Dingle and quickly found warm, woolen mittens and hats to help keep the winds from getting to the bones.  

On our way back to the car, the music shop Dad had wanted to check out for drums was open, so we went in. What a treasure that turned out to be.  Dad (on drum), Bill (on piano), and the proprietor, Michael (on button accordion) treated us to an impromptu jam session.  Very cool. Jam is probably a good choice of words, given the international, cross-cultural mix of musical flavors - Irish folk and jazz.  Music is music, and it was beautiful.  Mitch got his first lesson on the accordion from Michael, and he was a quick study.  Now the kids have a beginners accordion - lovely memento from the morning. 

One more stop on the way back to the car was to a small grocery store to pick up sandwiches for lunch. We were getting close on time for the beginning of the boat tour, so we drove to Ventry Harbor (only 4km away our B&B), ate our lunch in the car, and were soon on our way to the Blaskets. 

We saw all kinds of marine birds, including guillemots, Fulmars, and PUFFINS.  We saw one Minke whale, many grey seals, and scores of common dolphin.  We even saw a red deer on the Great Blasket Island. The first mate said there were about 150 red deer on the island (no one lives on the island anymore).  The whole trip was stunning.  The kids seemed to thoroughly enjoy it.  

We drove back to Dingle for supper, and ended up at Murphy's pub (I think).  Samantha and I shared the beef stew and ate every bite. Josie ate her fish and chips and half of Mimi's.  Mimi and Papa treated the kiddos to ice cream afterward, and they were very happy.  Perfect end to a perfect day. 

(West of Dingle, headed toward Blaskets, we got to see a farmer and his border collie herding sheep - awesome!)

(Red deer on top, above)

Puffin

(Dolphin playfully swimming alongside the boat)

Hiding in there are Samantha, Josie, Mimi, Mitchell, and Papa.  The /Blasket Princess/ was our vessel for today's adventure.  Another great day in Ireland!!