An opportunity arose, visitors arriving to my adopted home of Tralee afforded the chance to join the tourist trails of this county and savour all that it has to offer.
Driving to Dingle and onwards over Slea Head lifted us high above the cliff tops which drop down into hidden bays of golden sands…looking out over towards the Blasket Islands rising out of the waves on this windy Sunday afternoon.
Another day and another visitor arrives and we take the Ring of Kerry route from Killarney driving through the rolling hills – noticing the changing colours of green…the natural vegetation and the shades of the sun adding to the beauty of the colours of the landscape where grey rock protrudes as sheep graze quietly, ignoring the many onlookers. We look down over Ladies View to the Lakes of the National Park amid this patchwork of fields.
Each turn of the road, and there are many, brings some new sight to awaken us to the beauty of all of creation…lakes, rivers and cascading waterfalls, grand houses and small cottages, trees of every kind and colour rising out of the landscape.
Along the way my companion tells of the tree line…above which one cannot build. We drop down into small country towns, Kenmare, vibrant with colour and people…Sneem, Waterville, Portmagee. All unique in their own way and offering a place for locals to call home. We move on to Glenbeigh and Rossbeigh Strand…the golden sands offering holiday makers places to rest…to paddle…to swim…to enjoy the cool water of the sea.
These days of touring offered us an opportunity to connect with the natural world all around us…to smell the fragrance of flowers, plants, sea air; to wonder at the rocks balanced precariously on steep hill sides; to take in the colour of blue sky…the green of the fields and the trees…the dark water of the sea…the yellows and purples of plants…the grey of the rocks with white sheep wandering across the landscape. The landscape of Kerry lifted our soul prompting us to give thanks once more for God’s gifts to us. The world of Kerry is certainly alive with the grandeur of God!
Karen OSU
Karen,
Thank you for sharing a rich and precious “Kingdom” interlude so beautifully. I travelled with you every inch of the way- a welcome invitation to prayer and thanksgiving.
Breda