Blarney Castle, Killarney and the Ring of Kerry - Days 3 & 4

On the road to Killarney - Wednesday February 21st

It was an early morning start to a long day on the bus.  We had a full group, 45 people on a 49 passenger bus so as a solo traveller I was seat mates with the threesome-Brittany and her mom Judy, and their friend Mari, and luckily still in front of my former seat mates Carol and Kathy - some of my faves from Boston.  It was a fun ride through the countryside and the scenery was just everything that I ever thought it was going to look like and more!  The sheep in the fields and meadows, the stone walls and old ruins, the greenery and mountains popping into view - it was just gorgeous! 

When I think of Ireland this is it!

We stopped into Blarney around lunchtime and made our way up to the Blarney Castle where I had absolutely no intention of kissing the Blarney Stone but after climbing the crooked narrow steps and seeing that it wasn't really a big deal, in terms of height and claustrophobia, I forgave the germ factor and did it anyway!  I even bought the €10 picture of proof that I did it.  I really can't believe I did it but I did and it wasn't too bad and this isn't the pic that I bought (below), Larry III took it - naturally I rubbed hand sanitizer on my mouth afterwords and spit every chance I had.

I went through the Blarney Woolen Mills, Ireland's oldest mill, where I had to make the toughest decision that I had to make all week of which beautiful sweater would be going home with me.  I'm quite happy with my selection!

It took me a while to find "the one" and I'm so glad I did, I love it!

Brittany and I spent most the time on the bus snoozing or chatting over our tour guide and driver, Pat, while trying not to miss a chance at snapping a picture of sheep or something of significance that Pat was mentioning.  We stopped in front of the Rock of Cashel, a beautiful historic church in the Plain of Tipperary that I would have loved to be have been able to spend some time at but we got back on the road. 

The Rock of Cashel

We got into the most adorable Irish town of Killarney around 5:00 and the sky was looking ugly so I didn't take the opportunity to walk around.  I settled in since we were there two nights and then headed down to the bar to catch up with my fellow travelers.

I have to say, as skeptical as I was at first about the solo trip, everyone welcomed me.  It was truly been a blessing.  Sure, at first there was the "oh you're by yourself (imagine sad face)??" but then after chatting with me they praised me and were envious of my courageousness.  As usual, I talked with everyone and met some great people.  Being a relatively small group we had the opportunity to get to know each other quite well.  Funny, there are a huge number of New Yorkers and east coasters on this trip.  A lovely group from Boston has been a blast to talk with!  Others from Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Florida, Colorado, California, Vermont, and of course various parts of NY have been so wonderful to chat with and get to know as well.

Group photo but missing 10 people :(

We had a very nice but late dinner in our hotel and then headed out to some of the local pubs to get a taste of the real Irish living :). Most places offer music and I'm sure the later you are at a place the more rowdier and crazier it gets.  We only made it to a few places before heading to the hotel bar for a shot of Baby Guinness and a nightcap before hitting the sheets. 12:30 is too late to head to bed when we have to be at breakfast at 7:15 in the morning!

Larry, Larry II, Larry III, Brittany, Judy, Mari and then Shawna goes to bed...

The Ring of Kerry and Killarney - Wednesday February 22nd

Unfortunately it was a rainy day in Ireland :( but it didn't stop the scenery from being any less beautiful.  We passed though the River Laune region had views of the Irish mountains, the Macgillycuddys Reeks where Ireland's highest mountain, Carrauntoohil resides.

We stopped for pictures at a beautiful mountain view of Lough.

In the town of Kells on Dingle Bay we visited a sheep farm and it was the most interesting experience!  The shepherd, Brendan Ferris, used special whistles, verbal calls and hand signals to tell the Border Collies to move the sheep across the hillside.  It was so cool to see the process.  The wind was bitter and it was drizzly but it didn't matter, to be able to see that was really cool. The selected sheep that the shepherd showed us would be sheared in June or July when the weather was nice and their wool would be used for tweed products. 

Brendan Ferris with is 2 Border Collies and selected group of sheep for our demonstration.

We drove out onto the Valentia Island and stopped at the Skellig Experience Center. We watched a short film about Skellig Michael, a jagged pyramid of an island  that is called the most fantastic and impossible rock in the world.  It is over 700' tall and about a mile around and was first inhibited by 6th century Christian monks.  The monks chiseled the 600 steps and Monastery out of solid rock over 1000 years ago.  It was an unbelievable sight (in the video) and something that I would love to go back and experience in person.  Boat trips from the town of Portmagee can be taken to both Skellig Michael and by the Little Skellig which is smaller than Michael and protected by law from visitors because it is home to a huge colony on gannets which are large seagulls with 6' wing spans. 

Back on the mainland we ate lunch in Portmagee at Moorings Guest House and then continued our trip around the ring.

Portmagee, Ireland - small fishing village next to Valentia Island

We saw a rainbow on our drive.  It was faint but I was sure looking for a pot of gold, or at least a leprechaun.  There was a short coffee/bathroom stop in the colorful town of Sneem, a photo stop at Moll's Gap and the Black Valley which was the last place in Ireland to get electricity in 1978.  There are 23 families there that are pretty much removed from everyday life...um can you say "The Village?".   Another quick photo stop was at a viewpoint of the three lakes of Killarney as we entered Killarney National Park that covers 26,000 acres. 

Moll's Gap and the Three Lakes of Killarney

Wednesday night we dined in the hotel and then headed out to the Sheehan's Pub to get some seats for the night since there was entertainment coming in.  The music is just so great to listen to. At first there was a two man band with the fiddles and guitar I think then a rock band came in that played a lot of American songs in an Irish accent, it was great.  

It was late and another early morning was on the horizon so I called it a night in the fun town of Killarney.

As usual, I've captioned the pictures with much more detail so be sure to click on the link if you can't read them!