The Ring of Kerry

{Beanie—Krochet Kids (shop), Raincoat—Anthropologie "Climatic Cropped Anorak", Cardigan—H&M (similar),

Striped Top—Splendid (remixed), Jeans—AG Cuffed Tomboy (remixed), Rain Boots—Hunter (shop)}

After we saw the Dingle Peninsula, Andrew and I went on a tour of the Ring of Kerry. Although I'm not the type of person who likes massive tour groups (aka I hate them), because we can't drive ourselves, a guided tour was pretty much our only means of seeing the area. So, we bit the bullet and hopped on a massive charter bus for the day. While there were definitely some moments that I wanted to run away from the huge tour group (i.e. when we stopped for lunch at a tourist trap that accepted US DOLLARS), overall, it was a nice way to see the beautiful Kerry coast. PLUS we even got to see a super touristy but actually kind of awesome demonstration from a shepherd and his sheep dogs (see picture below).

However, my favorite part of the tour was our stop at Ladies View in Killarney National Park. The lookout point was named by Queen Victoria's ladies-in-waiting, who loved the view of the land. And after visiting the point myself, I can definitely see why they adored it so much.

obligatory tourist picture...

Lost Coastlines

{Dress—Anthropologie "Two-Button Sailor Chemise" (shop // remixed), Cardigan—H&M (similar), Scarf—H&M (similar)}

After a weekend trip to the beautiful County Kerry, it's official—I am in love with Ireland. These photos were taken on the first day of our trip where we went on a small driving tour along the coastlines of the Dingle Peninsula. Our tour guide kept saying that it was the "most beautiful day of the year" and he was probably right. It was bright, sunny, and breezy the whole day and I was so excited with some of the landscape shots I was able to capture.

We used Killarney as our home base and stayed in a cute little bed and breakfast right outside of town. The town centre had some great pubs, but our favorite meal of the trip was at a place called Murphy's that had the most amazing cottage pie, beef and Guinness stew, and locally brewed Irish lager.

The only awkward part of the trip was when we found ourselves in a tourist trap bar filled with a (name-tag wearing!!!) senior citizen American tour group that had just filed in to enjoy the "local culture." What I don't think they realized is that a traditional Irish pub isn't exactly authentic when it's only customers are 100 half-pint drinking American tourists...

And it was in that moment that Andrew and I felt a little bit more like locals than American exchange students...and it was great.