FreeSpirit : Bootlegger Molly

Thursday 5 July 2018

Bootlegger Molly

I was that surprised last night. BBQ lit and the wine free flowing and suddenly realised the river had risen by at least 2 ft! Then the penny dropped. So near to Kenmare Bay and the Atlantic Sea that this river was tidal. And the fish!!! OMG, what I would have given for a rod and line. I watched one chap from another motorhome cast out time and time again to no avail. The spinner he was using was not what these fish were after. Then a fellow turns up looking very official and asks about this chaps fishing licence. Oh dear, none was to be had so he was told to stop fishing immediately or a fine would be issued. One thing I did find out was the river contained not only trout and salmon but mullet as well.

We took another excursion off the Ring of Kerry. This time on another N road and on to the Ring of Beara. We rather fancied going to Bonane and the Heritage Park. Full of Druid history it was a 'must see' on one of our tourist guides. What it failed to inform us was the road width. OMG, another L road and this time there was grass growing down the middle.

2 nail-biting km later and not meeting a single vehicle we arrived at the park.

To walk the 2km around this historic site we parted with another €8 but it was worth it for the sheer peace and tranquillity of the place. Of particular interest was the Stone Circle. To read about the significance of the circle click here Many other Druid features were scattered around the walk.

On arrival back to the kiosk, the ranger told us of another Ballaun stone at a burial site called Feaghna. Another 2km walk back along the road but which was again unsuitable for the Beast. So we decided to walk to it. And walk we did...on and on and on. Did we find it? Did we 'eck! Such a shame because this stone is said to have 8 depressions to match the constellation of Orion. To see what we missed click here
By 13.30 we were back at the Beast for a late lunch. Next stop was a place called Molly Gallivans Traditional Farm. She was made famous because of her 'bootlegging' ways. Brewed a very potent whisky made from potatoes. The date was in the 1840's. Widowed with seven small children, Molly Gallivan had to call on all her resourcefulness to keep body and soul together.
She supplemented her meagre income from her small mountain farm by opening a “Sibheen” (illegal pub). Here she sold her own home made “Poitín” (whiskey) locally known as “Molly’s Mountain Dew”. (exert from the history of Molly Gallivan)
The place has a shop filled to capacity with Irish gifts and woollens, and next door the place has been left as was in Molly's day. A walk around the farm was also on offer which we excepted without hesitation.