Being flexible: Lismore, Ireland

The Vee

The Pine Tree House Bed and Breakfast, Lismore, Ireland

     Some people might think I over plan, but let me tell you that thinking ahead comes in handy sometimes. We had planned on driving from Kilkenny to the Rock of Cashel and then through the Vee and down to Cobh on the coast of the Irish sea -- all in one day. It is really not that far.

     Well, we left Kilkenny in good order and the weather was perfect. I had driven every inch of the road we were taking several times - ON GOGGLE EARTH - knew the way.

     The Rock of Cashel was a hit. Great views, interesting for photos and we had a nice lunch and were on our way. Stopped by Castle Cahir. What a surprise; we really liked seeing it, but we had better get going because road through the Vee (not often driven by visitors) was steep and narrow and, of course meant driving on the left.

     We were not prepared for the view with the expanse of greens. We stopped and took pictures and stopped again.

     I had driven the road - ON GOGGLE EARTH - but while I knew the road I had not seen the view. When we came down from the Vee it was growing late and we knew we'd not make Cobh until dark. But, there was the town of Lismore. It has a "castle" or manor house and lovely gardens. My research told me that it had a number of good places to dine. I also had considered it as a place to stop.

      The co-pilot wondered what we might do. "Trust me," I said. I knew that there was a newly built bed and breakfast just down the way and you turn left at the sign and you are there. You see, I had driven by it - ON GOGGLE EARTH.

     The Pine Tree House is nice. The views from it where beautiful as well as the discovery that it was landscaped with palm trees and succulents. (Southern Ireland gets the benefit of the warm Gulf Stream coming up from Cuba and Florida and across the Atlantic.)

     We had the next morning in Cobh and got to Kinsale just as planned.