Shelby and embarked on a sequel to our adventure to the stairway to heaven- we once again rented a car and headed west. This time to a picturesque peninsula, surrounded by the daunting Atlantic ocean. Dingle town is a gem among other gems in Kerry County. We explored the surrounding area, consumed tasty creations – like the local Dingle Gin and Whiskey and Murphy’s Ice Cream – and soaked up the rural, West Coast of Ireland atmosphere.
Just outside of sweet Dingle town a drive winds and weaves along the edge of land. The stunning blue ocean extends as far as you can see. A few small islands, The Blasket Islands, are dotted 
near the edge. The bright green pastures collide with the vast blues of the water. These are probably the images that the tourism industry in Ireland pulls from the entice people to experience this country. And here we were, seeing these images with our own eyes. While meandering on this road, the views I saw with my own eyes seemed surreal. I had difficulty comprehending that I was a witness to such stunning sights. But there we were, a witness to it all.
We were also witnesses to sighting a dolphin in the harbor – though it is not as spontaneous as it sounds. Yes, there are dolphins in the North Atlantic. The resident ‘Fungie’ has been reportedly swimming in this harbor since 1983. To bring a larger swath of people to witness this magnificent mammal, there are a handful of companies that offer a service. For a tenner, you can board these boats out to the harbor to view the dolphin. These boats have following this creature down to a science, with three or four of them surrounding as a fin or maybe a leap out of the water is spotted. We were just 
two of the many tourists aboard and saw Fungie with our own eyes.
Although we were able to enjoy that attraction, it is clear that traveling during an ongoing, seemingly chronic pandemic limits the activities one can enjoy severely. We should have anticipated that going out at night would look quite different than what we typically would experience. When traveling at this age, a key aspect is going out at night. Either ordering pints and conversing with strangers or dancing to the rhythm, you feel the buzz like you are a part of this energy. Barriers to communicating with strangers are lowered, and stories form themselves. Though these are 
different times, in which these luxuries, simple pleasures are potentially dangerous. Thus, on the last night there, we found some disappointment when we were unable to go out to the various pubs that Dingle is known for.
One of the few things still open was a brewery tour at Dick Macs. Originally an institution of a pub, the owner has transitioned into brewing and distributing their own beer as well. After establishing a brewhouse behind the pub, they now have four different beers that they brew and sell to many of the pubs locally. We learned about this small operation from a passionate tour guide, who emphasized the importance of eating and drinking locally. She explained that when you consume food and drink that are sourced locally, you are supporting the community. Contrasting this kind of investment in local livelihoods to that of the complicated globalized supply chain brings a necessary perspective of what may make the most positive impact.
Going on this quick holiday across the country once again renewed a sense of adventure and excitement. Shelby and I still found so many things to giggle at, despite our trip not looking exactly as we planned. We found delicious coffee to drink, ice cream to eat, and fresh air to breathe as we escaped Dublin for a bit. The more I travel around this country, the more I continue to fall more and more in love with this place that I now call home – at least for now. Ireland, a quaint island in the North Atlantic is full of unexpected and expected treasures.
