Tuesday Motoring on Lough Leane

Following our jaunting car adventure, and Molly’s final halt at the boathouse, our group boarded several large open boats for a cruise on the middle and lower lough (pronounced loch). Maximum occupancy 12, and we split into groups of 10.

Lough Leane translates to loch of learning, connected to a middle age monastery located on the island Innisfallen in the lough. It was started in the 700’s and operated for about 950 years until Elizabeth I had them kicked out. The monastery ran an educational facility to which young men were sent from all over Europe, including High King Brian Boru.

Brian figures in all kinds of history and legends including Viking sagas,, and is said to have driven out the Vikings from Ireland. Not exactly true, because aside from pillaging, the Norse raiders also established settlements, intermarried over generations, and some fought in Brian’s army and were educated in the Irish monasteries.

The lake is just about mirror calm, and the skies are cloudy.

Waves have carved the limestone at the water level.

This is the boundary between the middle lake and the much larger lower lake.

Once onto the lower lake, we can see Carrauntoohil, the highest point in Ireland, all of 3406 feet. Panoramic shot. Carrauntoohil right of center.

Fishing is limited to one salmon per day, but you can catch and keep all the brown trout you want. Atlantic salmon run up through the lakes to the Laune River, and can bring up to 80 euros ($92) each in the wholesale market in Killarney. Commercial fishing would be like netting fish in a barrel. Hardly sporting, you know.

Here’s a view of the hotel from the water. Our room is on the top floor furthest to the left. A good hike with long halls, stairs, and elevators before and after breakfast and dinner.

And this is the dock and the ruin of McCarthy Mor’s great house on the hotel property where our boat ride ends.