{"id":10015,"date":"2014-07-17T13:37:00","date_gmt":"2014-07-17T17:37:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/?p=10015"},"modified":"2017-11-19T10:44:01","modified_gmt":"2017-11-19T15:44:01","slug":"dont-make-mistake-visiting-west-cork-ireland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/dont-make-mistake-visiting-west-cork-ireland\/","title":{"rendered":"Don\u2019t make my mistake when visiting West Cork, Ireland"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Today our Wild Atlantic Way journey takes us slightly afield, about 16km from Bantry to the little town of Drimoleague, where we meet up at the <a href=\"http:\/\/topoftherock.ie\/\">Top of the Rock Pod Pairc<\/a> and spend the day exploring West Cork with David Ross. This was one of my best days in Ireland and I hope you have the time to read about the entire trip. If not, this is the <strong><em>short version:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The <a href=\"http:\/\/topoftherock.ie\/\">Pod Pairc<\/a> is the most unique place to stay in the center of what is <span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/www.westcorkwalking.com\/site52\/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=5&amp;Itemid=6#mp3\">Ireland\u2019s best walking area<\/span>. Pick from 300km of trails nearby. <a href=\"http:\/\/youtu.be\/9UUhfiWZ8fM\">Here\u2019s a short video about Top of the Rock<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>If you have limited time or just want to try an easy walk \u2013 the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.westcorkalpacas.com\/\">Alpaca Walk<\/a> is fun, easy to do and has beautiful scenery (including a waterfall.)<\/li>\n<li>Looking for history and some fine dining \u2013 head to Gougane Barra to the sixth century <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gouganebarrahotel.com\/st-finbarr\">St. Finbarr\u2019s Oratory<\/a> and then have dinner in the Gougane Barra Hotel.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"et_pb_slider et_pb_slider_fullwidth_off et_pb_gallery_post_type\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"et_pb_slides\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"et_pb_slide\" style=\"background: url(https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Top-of-the-Rock-4004.jpg);\"><\/div><div class=\"et_pb_slide\" style=\"background: url(https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Alpaca-walk-8864.jpg);\"><\/div><div class=\"et_pb_slide\" style=\"background: url(https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/St-Finbarrs-Oratory-9055.jpg);\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p>There\u2019s much more in the <strong><em>complete version<\/em><\/strong>, including my big mistake, so please keep reading.<\/p>\n<h1 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>The Complete Version <\/strong><\/h1>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>(Page one of two pages)<\/em><\/p>\n<h1><strong>Drimoleague \u2013 where the heck are you?<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>I&#8217;ve been following the Wild Atlantic Way down the west side of Ireland and worked my way to lovely County Cork and into Drimoleague, where I have been invited to visit Top of the Rock \u2013 Pod Pairc &amp; Walking Centre.<\/p>\n<p>Drimoleague is 20km from Bantry going due east on R586.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>Top of the Rock Pod Pairc<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Top-of-the-Rock-8789.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-10055\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Top-of-the-Rock-8789-600x450.jpg?resize=600%2C450\" alt=\"Top-of-the-Rock-8789\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Top-of-the-Rock-8789.jpg?resize=600%2C450&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Top-of-the-Rock-8789.jpg?resize=150%2C112&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Top-of-the-Rock-8789.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Top-of-the-Rock-8789.jpg?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Following the signs north on the well-marked route from town center, I worked my way up the hillside to Top of the Rock, owned by David and Elizabeth Ross. This is a small working farm in an idyllic location with marvelous little cabins (pods), perfect for travelers, walkers and families. The farm is a restoration of his grandfather\u2019s farm who settled here in 1920.<\/p>\n<p><center><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/63154657\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><a href=\"http:\/\/vimeo.com\/63154657\">Development of the Drimoleague Walkway<\/a> from <a href=\"http:\/\/vimeo.com\/user14444026\">wcdpfilms<\/a> on <a href=\"https:\/\/vimeo.com\">Vimeo<\/a>.<\/center>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>David and Elizabeth are the perfect hosts &#8211; with hospitality a-plenty and a wonderful knowledge of the West Cork area.\u00a0 Looking for places to walk or visit &#8211; just ask.\u00a0 There are walks of all lengths with sights to suit anyone.\u00a0 Hiking books and maps are available to purchase in the guest center as well. David\u2019s separate <a href=\"http:\/\/www.topoftherock.ie\">Top of the Rock Walking Tour\u2019s website<\/a> has more information available on the walks starting from the Pod Pairc.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Top-of-the-Rock-8779.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-10054\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Top-of-the-Rock-8779-600x450.jpg?resize=600%2C450\" alt=\"Top-of-the-Rock-8779\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Top-of-the-Rock-8779.jpg?resize=600%2C450&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Top-of-the-Rock-8779.jpg?resize=150%2C112&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Top-of-the-Rock-8779.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Top-of-the-Rock-8779.jpg?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The guest center serves as a dining area upstairs as well as a reception area.\u00a0 Downstairs you&#8217;ll find a game room with pool table and ping-pong table. There&#8217;s a large laundry room as well as men\u2019s and women\u2019s shower facilities. For anyone who wants to prepare their own meals, there\u2019s a large kitchen with gas and electric stoves, refrigerator and freezer.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"et_pb_slider et_pb_slider_fullwidth_off et_pb_gallery_post_type\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"et_pb_slides\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"et_pb_slide\" style=\"background: url(https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Top-of-the-Rock-3966.jpg);\"><\/div><div class=\"et_pb_slide\" style=\"background: url(https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Top-of-the-Rock-9098.jpg);\"><\/div><div class=\"et_pb_slide\" style=\"background: url(https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Top-of-the-Rock-9099.jpg);\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p>Top of the Rock is known as the \u201cWalkers\u2019 Junction of West Cork.\u201d Because you can walk in any direction, your biggest decision will be \u201cWhich way today?\u201d There are about 300km of dedicated walking trails that anyone can enjoy in West Cork\u2026and lucky for you, I think David knows them all and can give suggestions.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Drimoleague-8983.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-10032\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Drimoleague-8983-600x450.jpg?resize=600%2C450\" alt=\"Drimoleague-8983\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Drimoleague-8983.jpg?resize=600%2C450&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Drimoleague-8983.jpg?resize=150%2C112&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Drimoleague-8983.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Drimoleague-8983.jpg?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h1><strong>How to choose a walk?<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>Want to hear about many of the walks available as part of the Drimoleague Heritage Walkways?\u00a0 David Ross narrated a series of ten 15-minute recordings you can download to provide further insight into the wonders of each walk. <span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/www.westcorkwalking.com\/site52\/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=5&amp;Itemid=6#mp3\">Click here to give a listen.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>David was kind enough to custom design a whirlwind tour for this journalist, who wanted to see everything, but had very little time to actually walk the trails and soak up all the countryside had to offer. You\u2019d do yourself a disservice to do what I did, the paths are incredible and you\u2019ll want to savor every step and discover West Cork\u2019s treasures slowly.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>World\u2019s best Panna Cotta<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>Our first stop was a visit to his brother\u2019s <a href=\"http:\/\/glenilenfarm.com\/\">Glenilen Farm<\/a> where I got to sample some of his dairy products. To say his Panna Cotta was the best I\u2019ve ever had is an understatement. I had the Coconut &amp; Passion Fruit which was out of this world.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"et_pb_slider et_pb_slider_fullwidth_off et_pb_gallery_post_type\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"et_pb_slides\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"et_pb_slide\" style=\"background: url(https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Glenilen-Farm-8816.jpg);\"><\/div><div class=\"et_pb_slide\" style=\"background: url(https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Glenilen-Farm-8814.jpg);\"><\/div><div class=\"et_pb_slide\" style=\"background: url(https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Glenilen-Farm-8918.jpg);\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p>Their yogurt is packed in 160g. glass jars with the natural fruit layered at the bottom, and has zero additives or artificial flavors. Don\u2019t leave Drimoleague without picking up some of their products. You can thank me later.<\/p>\n<p>Down to the river, we glimpsed Castle Donovan, one of the many charming scenes on the popular St. Finbarr\u2019s 34km Pilgrim Walk. Walking across the stone Ahanfunsion Bridge (originally built in 1830) we explored the much more current, gently arched, wooden Manager\u2019s Bridge.<\/p>\n<p><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"et_pb_slider et_pb_slider_fullwidth_off et_pb_gallery_post_type\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"et_pb_slides\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"et_pb_slide\" style=\"background: url(https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Castle-Donovan-8917.jpg);\"><\/div><div class=\"et_pb_slide\" style=\"background: url(https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Ahanfunsion-Bridge-8802.jpg);\"><\/div><div class=\"et_pb_slide\" style=\"background: url(https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Managers-Bridge-8807.jpg);\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p>Read on for strange furry animals, stones that stand, wild Irish tales and a groovy place for pilgrims.<\/p>\n<p><em>(<a href=\"http:\/\/dbhas.info\/1kCwJ6w\">Continued on page two of two<\/a>)\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n[easyazon_block add_to_cart=&#8221;default&#8221; align=&#8221;left&#8221; asin=&#8221;190686876X&#8221; cloaking=&#8221;default&#8221; layout=&#8221;top&#8221; localization=&#8221;default&#8221; locale=&#8221;US&#8221; nofollow=&#8221;default&#8221; new_window=&#8221;default&#8221; tag=&#8221;thetra03-20&#8243;][easyazon_block add_to_cart=&#8221;default&#8221; align=&#8221;left&#8221; asin=&#8221;1607744309&#8243; cloaking=&#8221;default&#8221; layout=&#8221;top&#8221; localization=&#8221;default&#8221; locale=&#8221;US&#8221; nofollow=&#8221;default&#8221; new_window=&#8221;default&#8221; tag=&#8221;thetra03-20&#8243;][easyazon_block add_to_cart=&#8221;default&#8221; align=&#8221;left&#8221; asin=&#8221;0811844854&#8243; cloaking=&#8221;default&#8221; layout=&#8221;top&#8221; localization=&#8221;default&#8221; locale=&#8221;US&#8221; nofollow=&#8221;default&#8221; new_window=&#8221;default&#8221; tag=&#8221;thetra03-20&#8243;][easyazon_block add_to_cart=&#8221;default&#8221; align=&#8221;left&#8221; asin=&#8221;B004185GTW&#8221; cloaking=&#8221;default&#8221; layout=&#8221;top&#8221; localization=&#8221;default&#8221; locale=&#8221;US&#8221; nofollow=&#8221;default&#8221; new_window=&#8221;default&#8221; tag=&#8221;thetra03-20&#8243;]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Today our Wild Atlantic Way journey takes us slightly afield, about 16km from Bantry to the little town of Drimoleague, where we meet up at the Top of the Rock Pod Pairc and spend the day exploring West Cork with David Ross. This was one of my best days in Ireland and I hope you [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":10052,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","cos_headline_score":0,"cos_seo_score":0,"cos_headline_text":"","cos_headline_has_been_analyzed":false,"cos_last_analyzed_headline":[],"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":[],"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","advgb_blocks_editor_width":"","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[2769,2792,2795,1040,2794,3644,2793],"class_list":["post-10015","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel","tag-county-cork","tag-drimoleague","tag-glenilen","tag-ireland","tag-top-of-the-rock","tag-travel","tag-west-cork"],"featured_image_urls_v2":{"full":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Top-of-the-Rock-4004.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1",1024,683,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Top-of-the-Rock-4004.jpg?fit=150%2C100&ssl=1",150,100,true],"medium":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Top-of-the-Rock-4004.jpg?fit=300%2C200&ssl=1",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Top-of-the-Rock-4004.jpg?fit=768%2C512&ssl=1",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Top-of-the-Rock-4004.jpg?fit=600%2C400&ssl=1",600,400,true],"rpg_gallery_admin_thumb":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Top-of-the-Rock-4004.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1",150,150,true],"rpg_gallery_thumb":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Top-of-the-Rock-4004.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1",150,150,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Top-of-the-Rock-4004.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1",1024,683,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Top-of-the-Rock-4004.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1",1024,683,true],"gb-block-post-grid-landscape":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Top-of-the-Rock-4004.jpg?resize=600%2C400&ssl=1",600,400,true],"gb-block-post-grid-square":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Top-of-the-Rock-4004.jpg?resize=600%2C600&ssl=1",600,600,true],"et-pb-post-main-image":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Top-of-the-Rock-4004.jpg?resize=400%2C250&ssl=1",400,250,true],"et-pb-post-main-image-fullwidth":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Top-of-the-Rock-4004.jpg?resize=1024%2C675&ssl=1",1024,675,true],"et-pb-portfolio-image":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Top-of-the-Rock-4004.jpg?resize=400%2C284&ssl=1",400,284,true],"et-pb-portfolio-module-image":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Top-of-the-Rock-4004.jpg?resize=510%2C382&ssl=1",510,382,true],"et-pb-portfolio-image-single":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Top-of-the-Rock-4004.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1",1024,683,true],"et-pb-gallery-module-image-portrait":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Top-of-the-Rock-4004.jpg?resize=400%2C516&ssl=1",400,516,true],"et-pb-post-main-image-fullwidth-large":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Top-of-the-Rock-4004.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1",1024,683,true],"et-pb-image--responsive--desktop":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Top-of-the-Rock-4004.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1",1024,683,true],"et-pb-image--responsive--tablet":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Top-of-the-Rock-4004.jpg?resize=980%2C551&ssl=1",980,551,true],"et-pb-image--responsive--phone":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Top-of-the-Rock-4004.jpg?resize=480%2C270&ssl=1",480,270,true]},"post_excerpt_stackable_v2":"<p>Today our Wild Atlantic Way journey takes us slightly afield, about 16km from Bantry to the little town of Drimoleague, where we meet up at the Top of the Rock Pod Pairc and spend the day exploring West Cork with David Ross. This was one of my best days in Ireland and I hope you have the time to read about the entire trip. If not, this is the short version: The Pod Pairc is the most unique place to stay in the center of what is Ireland\u2019s best walking area. Pick from 300km of trails nearby. Here\u2019s a short&hellip;<\/p>\n","category_list_v2":"<a href=\"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/category\/travel\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Travel<\/a>","author_info_v2":{"name":"Doug","url":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/author\/admindoug\/"},"comments_num_v2":"1 comment","author_meta":{"display_name":"Doug","author_link":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/author\/admindoug\/"},"featured_img":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Top-of-the-Rock-4004.jpg?fit=300%2C200&ssl=1","featured_image_src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Top-of-the-Rock-4004.jpg?resize=600%2C400&ssl=1","featured_image_src_square":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Top-of-the-Rock-4004.jpg?resize=600%2C600&ssl=1","author_info":{"display_name":"Doug","author_link":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/author\/admindoug\/"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Top-of-the-Rock-4004.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1","coauthors":[],"tax_additional":{"categories":{"linked":["<a href=\"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/category\/travel\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Travel<\/a>"],"unlinked":["<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Travel<\/span>"]},"tags":{"linked":["<a href=\"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/category\/travel\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">County Cork<\/a>","<a href=\"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/category\/travel\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Drimoleague<\/a>","<a href=\"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/category\/travel\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Glenilen<\/a>","<a href=\"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/category\/travel\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Ireland<\/a>","<a href=\"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/category\/travel\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Top of the Rock<\/a>","<a href=\"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/category\/travel\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Travel<\/a>","<a href=\"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/category\/travel\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">West Cork<\/a>"],"unlinked":["<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">County Cork<\/span>","<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Drimoleague<\/span>","<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Glenilen<\/span>","<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Ireland<\/span>","<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Top of the Rock<\/span>","<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Travel<\/span>","<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">West Cork<\/span>"]}},"comment_count":1,"relative_dates":{"created":"Posted 12 years ago","modified":"Updated 8 years ago"},"absolute_dates":{"created":"Posted on July 17, 2014","modified":"Updated on November 19, 2017"},"absolute_dates_time":{"created":"Posted on July 17, 2014 1:37 pm","modified":"Updated on November 19, 2017 10:44 am"},"featured_img_caption":"","series_order":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p21Ejy-2Bx","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":10017,"url":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/groovy-furry-stones-irish-tales\/","url_meta":{"origin":10015,"position":0},"title":"Groovy, furry stones with Irish tales &#8211; it&#8217;s all here","author":"Doug","date":"July 17, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"(Continued from page one of two) If you landed here without reading page one, please go back to here to start. \u00a0 What kind of animal is that? Up another hill we found our way to the most enchanting of all the walks I did in Ireland this year \u2013\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Travel&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Travel","link":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/category\/travel\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"St. Finbarr's Oratory - Gougane Barra","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/St-Finbarrs-Oratory-9048.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/St-Finbarrs-Oratory-9048.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/St-Finbarrs-Oratory-9048.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/St-Finbarrs-Oratory-9048.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10106,"url":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/s-h-w-simply-heavenly-walking-sheeps-head-way-choose\/","url_meta":{"origin":10015,"position":1},"title":"S.H.W. \u2013 Simply Heavenly Walking or Sheep\u2019s Head Way \u2013 you choose","author":"Doug","date":"July 22, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"It may be named for the sheep, but the people and the trails make this a fabulous destination. Ireland\u2019s southwest coast is a series of finger-like peninsulas extending into the wild Atlantic Ocean. One of the slimmest is Sheepshead Peninsula \u2013 extending from Bantry on the north, past Ballymoor Mountain,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Travel&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Travel","link":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/category\/travel\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Sheeps_Head-3230.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Sheeps_Head-3230.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Sheeps_Head-3230.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Sheeps_Head-3230.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":9489,"url":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/secrets-irelands-wild-atlantic-way\/","url_meta":{"origin":10015,"position":2},"title":"The Secrets of Ireland\u2019s Wild Atlantic Way","author":"Doug","date":"June 23, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"By Doug Bardwell If you have ever dreamed of a \u2018big\u2019 adventure, but never followed through on it, now may be the time to make it happen. How about the roadtrip of a lifetime, through some of the most beautiful landscapes on earth? It\u2019s all mapped out, with helpful signage,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Travel&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Travel","link":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/category\/travel\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Cliffs of Moher","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/Ireland-4103.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/Ireland-4103.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/Ireland-4103.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/Ireland-4103.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":9707,"url":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/killarney-gem-national-park\/","url_meta":{"origin":10015,"position":3},"title":"Killarney &#8211; a gem of a National Park","author":"Doug","date":"July 2, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Killarney National Park is 25,400 acres in size, contains three lakes and just to its west is the MacGillycuddy\u2019s Reeks, the highest of all Ireland\u2019s mountain ranges.\u00a0 Centerpiece of the park is the almost 10, 000 acre Bourn Vincent Memorial Park (which all the locals call the Muckross Estate.) In\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Travel&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Travel","link":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/category\/travel\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Ireland-5516.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Ireland-5516.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Ireland-5516.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Ireland-5516.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5836,"url":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/kinsale-a-picturesque-harbor-town-in-county-cork\/","url_meta":{"origin":10015,"position":4},"title":"Kinsale &#8211; a picturesque harbor town in County Cork","author":"Maureen","date":"July 5, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Popular with the yachting community, Kinsale is a beautiful little town in southern Ireland, clustered around a harbor. White sails still reflect the sun as small and medium sized sailboats come and go, some preparing for the many sailing competitions held here annually. In the 17th & 18th centuries, Kinsale\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Travel&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Travel","link":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/category\/travel\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Colorful storefronts in Kinsale","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/Kinsale-2464.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/Kinsale-2464.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/Kinsale-2464.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":11407,"url":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/otzshoes-using-5000-year-old-technology\/","url_meta":{"origin":10015,"position":5},"title":"OTZShoes &#8211; using 5,000 year-old technology","author":"Doug","date":"November 4, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"It\u2019s hard to know where to start with these shoes.\u00a0 OTZShoes are a lifestyle brand that feel great, look great; but are inspired by 5,000 year old technology.\u00a0 Let\u2019s go there first. Back in 2005, Ludo (founder of Otz) discovered an article chronicling Oetzi the Iceman, a frozen, mummified Copper\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Past&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Past","link":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/category\/past\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/OTZShoes0101.jpg?fit=624%2C412&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/OTZShoes0101.jpg?fit=624%2C412&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/OTZShoes0101.jpg?fit=624%2C412&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10015","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10015"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10015\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10052"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10015"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10015"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10015"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}