Killarney.....Who knew?

Our plans for this trip were made months in advance. I enjoyed the process of putting our trips together so it was always a labor of love. That being said, we had no idea what to expect from Killarney and the surrounding area. All we had seen thus far was the ocean and the beautiful links courses I had been playing. As we made our way from Ballybunion, it was clear that the scenery was about to change. As we came down the hill on the N22, we saw a beautiful little town nestled in the foothills of the Killarney Mountains. What a beautiful little place it turned out to be. We made our way to the Ashville House B&B to get settled in. Albeit a beautiful little B&B two minutes from the Towne Center, with all of the food and music you could ever want,  a few subtle hints later I was on the phone with the Ross Hotel finding us a room in the Towne Center for the remainder of our stay. Apparently I learned nothing from our Kilkee experience. Enough said!!

In an effort to to save face, I booked a spa day for Kristen at the Aghadoe Heights Spa in the hills above Killarney. We packed up our things Friday morning and were off to the Ross Hotel to get checked in and drop our luggage off. There was no time to waste though. I knew that spa time is precious and to waste even a moment of it was blasphemous.  Off we went to the Aghadoe. The hotel and spa were just above Killarney, overlooking the Killarney Lakes etc.. What a view?

While Kristen was spending her day there at the Aghadoe Spa, I made my way down to the lakes above to the Killarney Golf Club and Fish Camp. The Killeen Course hosted the Irish Open last year and will do the same again in a few weeks. Such a beautiful setting down along the shores of these lakes. In no time at all, I was locked and loaded, ready to play. Rain was likely to be a factor at some point during the round, as was the wind. Both showed up for the party by my third hole. Surprise surprise after the weather week we have had thus far. That being said, a rainy, windy day on the golf course was better than no golf at all. On I went, at times with an audience in tow....

The rains ended as my round did. Par for the course I suppose!! I dried off, loaded up and headed back up into the hills to pick up Kristen. She assured me she was fine and would be willing to stay longer if I needed her to. She's such a giver. Seven hours of spa time later, Kristen was grinning from ear to ear. Earlier in our trip, Kristen proclaimed the Dromoland Castle Spa as her #1, casting out previous #1, the Old Course Hotel Spa in St. Andrews Scotland. Well, as World Rankings are oft to do, we had another changing of the guard. The Aghadoe Heights Spa in Killarney Ireland is now #1 in the official Kristen Davis Spa World Rankings. With three relaxation rooms and the #1 masseuse in the World (Norma) how could it not be. Thank you Aghadoe Heights!

I would be remiss to end this posting without referencing the wonderful food here in Killarney. We dined at the Bricin Restaurant the first two nights we were here. The food and service were incredible. Johnny McGuire, owner of the Bricin with his brother Paddy, was a wonderful host. He treated us with some celebratory Irish Coffees as an anniversary toast during our first night's dinner. The excellent service continued when we returned the next night along with some excellent advice as to how to tackle the Ring of Kerry. Advice that would prove invaluable to us on Saturday as we made our way to Waterville. If ever you come to Killarney, do yourself a favor and come see Johnny at the Bricin. Thanks Johnny...