Ireland Part I

Happy belated Thanksgiving. Our Thanksgiving was anything but tradition this year. Since we couldn't be with family, we decided to travel. Being the "off season" we were able to get tremendous deals on flights. From there we booked four different bed & breakfasts, a rental car, mapped out our rout {with a LOT of assistance from our neighbors - thanks guys!} and narrowed down our must sees.

First stop, Blarney Castle. Couldn't go to Ireland and not kiss the Blarney Stone.

 

 

Only a million more winding staircases to go.

 

 

 

And kiss it we did.

 

You see that hand on the left, the one holding onto our jackets? ...Well, I guess several years ago they decided it would be a good idea to hire someone to sit by the Stone so that people didn't fall through the opening below my head. They also installed those nifty metal bars to make things a little less challenging.

 

 

The view from the top.

 

The narrow, winding stairs were enough to build up my appetite ...that and the whole 4:00 AM wake up, two hour flight etc.

 

 

Daniel won this one. His "traditional Irish stew" was perfection. My homemade tomato basil wasn't a bad second. AND let me just tell you about that brown bread. YUM. 

 

 

We enjoyed walking around the extensive grounds & viewing the Castle from all its many angles.

 

 

 

The Blarney House

 

Wishing Steps // Tradition has it that if you walk up these steps wet, uneven steps with your eyes closed & back down backwards, still with your eyes closed the Blarney Witch will grant your wish. Daniel made it all the way up with his eyes closed. I wasn't so brave.

 

 

From here, it was time to check-in to our first B&B. We slept like babies.

One of the reasons we opted to do B&B on this trip was the famous "Irish Breakfast" promised with each one. So, first thing Thursday morning {Thanksgiving} we headed towards the smell of fresh bacon and enjoyed a delicious Irish breakfast and some nice conversation with the owner & two other Irish guests.

 

Thursdays agenda -- Killarney National Park.

 

First stop, Ross Castle.

 

 

 

 

 

My prince charming ;)

 

From the castle we headed towards the old abbey, estate and waterfall.

Luckily for us, after parking by the gate we were met by our tour guide Patrick and his horse Sally. It had been a long time since either of us had been on a house and buggy ride. {Perhaps since my sophomore year of collage when Daniel came to visit & I took him to tour Historical Philly.}

I ask, what could be better then touring the Irish countryside by horse drawn cart with my love?! Oh and we got to use plaid blankets.

 

This Yew tree is over 300 years old.

 

 

Patrick said this is called "Friar's Walk". One said is lined with lime trees & the other, chestnut trees.

 

 

Muckross House.

 

 

How would you like to wake up to this view every morning?

 

 

Sally couldn't go up this part so she nicely parked & allowed us to climb out so we could hike to the waterfall.

 

 

 

Tomorrow... Dingle. Dingle to Ennis. Ennis to the Cliffs. Cliffs to Kerry. Kerry to the Airport.

 

Stay turned for Ireland Part II.