Extra morning snuggles for the Wright team to start the day! While our tiny tourist caught a few more zzzs, Brian ventured out and returned victorious with a smoothie and juices in hand from Juice for Thought, glass jars and all.

After breakfast #1, we ventured out for some post-travel day wiggles in the church courtyard across the street. Liam stretched his legs, and then it was time to pack up the car and hit the road: today’s adventure was the winding, stunning Slea Head Drive on the Dingle Peninsula. First stop: Ventry Beach for a casual, sandy, picnic breakfast. Think banana bites, oatmeal, and sea breeze. Someone started getting that nap-glazed look, so we rolled on, passing a string of ancient stone forts, some dating back to 2000 BC! Just another reminder that Ireland’s been around a while. We cruised past Coumeenoole Beach (total drama coastline) and made a quick smoothie stop (forever in our smoothie era), before winding our way up to Conor Pass for more views. Liam took his nap somewhere between switchbacks and scenic overlooks. Meanwhile, we plotted future stops inspired by some beautiful photo prints we saw earlier at the smoothie shop, Piccolo.

Back in Dingle, we returned our borrowed breakfast glassware (trying to stay in the locals’ good graces) and made our way to Out of the Blue for a fresh fish dinner. We snagged a sunny terrace spot, and Liam quickly got to work making friends left and wright. Delicious scallops, sea bass, and hake hit the table. Honestly though, Liam was laser-focused on the bread basket, happily inhaling slice after slice like a small, joyful carb prince – not unlike his carb king dada.

Post-dinner: fútbol by the marina. Let the record show, momma’s still got it. A few soccer juggles (seriously, we didn’t get more than a few) and some laughs later we made our way back for the day’s final nap. Parents took turns on solo recharge missions; Anna laced up for a jog past crumbling old ruins (because Ireland), while Brian headed to the sister hotel gym down the road for some reps and quiet time.

Just when we thought we were winding down for real, we remembered a photo we’d seen earlier of Dún Chaoin Pier. It’s a zigzagging stunner tucked into the cliffs, and we couldn’t resist checking it out. We made it just in the nick of time for sunset (that is…10 pm sunset), and it didn’t disappoint. The views were jaw-dropping, even as we bounced between blowouts and full clothing changes. Real life, real beauty.

Back to the hotel for Liam’s second dinner and one last late-night stroll along Main Street. We caught snippets of live music spilling from pub windows, warm lights twinkling, and that content feeling that settles in after a full day well spent.