Ireland Day 4-- Blarney and Killarney

We got up this morning and left the Blarney Golf Resort and backtracked toward Cork. Blarney Castle is just minutes from the resort, so we were there in no time. We went into the castle grounds and started walking toward where they told us there was a castle, not seeing anything. Suddenly, we rounded a corner and there it was It's pretty amazing. You can go right up to the top, using the original stairways. These stairways are steep and curve to the right, making it almost impossible for invaders to use their sword arm as they climbed into the castle. We went all the way to the top of the castle and kissed the Blarney Stone. You have to lay on your back, grab onto two railings, and lean way far back into empty space. An old Irishman has a hold of you, but I felt like I was going to slide and keep on sliding. The cool thing about Ireland is that pretty much nothing is closed off to visitors. We looked into the dungeons, caves, climbed on the walls....everything. We also had a memorial service for Bret Wanken and scattered some of his ashes at the Castle. It was very moving.

After we kissed the Blarney Stone, we had a couple of hours to do some major shopping in the Blarney Woolen Mills. Yes, mom, I bought Waterford. I got a nine-inch vase. We are having it shipped home for free. I can't wait for it to get there! We had lunch there, and then hit one more shop before we left town. The two ladies that ran this shop were a kick. They loved us, told us how to pronounce things in Gaelic, and watched for our bus to leave town and waved to us as we left. They told us that they had "just a wee Irish shop".

After we left Blarney, we headed for Killarney. This is a very beautiful town. We have walked into town twice now....once to see a beautiful cathedral and once to use the internet cafe. We are off to see the Ring of Kerry. We are in Killarney one more night and then head up the coast to Galway and the Cliffs of Mohr. We are having a great time, but we are tired. Love and miss you all very much.