Day 4: Killarney to Dublin

Day 4    6/29/17

The group made it down for another wonderful continental breakfast. We packed the bus and took off for Blarney Castle in County Cork.

We arrived there around 11:00 a.m. and got in line after purchasing tickets. It was about 45 minutes in line, but we passed the time exploring the nooks and spaces in the castle. They did a good job putting witty signs around the grounds and palace explaining what we were seeing.

Most of us got up to kiss the Blarney stone but all of us enjoyed the view. You had to get on your back and kiss a stone below floor level. Good thing there were rails to hang onto. The Blarney stone was originally from Scotland and became part of the castle. It was a gift in celebrating a victory over the English that they shared with the Scots.

Derek Jorgensen kissing the Blarney Stone



The view from atop Blarney Castle
After we kissed the stone and descended the castle, the group looked around at the rest of the grounds and gardens. I enjoyed the Poison Garden next to the castle. It was interesting to see the plants and the signs that gave the history and warnings. They were often humorous.

The Travel Club at Blarney Castle, above the Poison Garden


We ate lunch at Blarney and then continued to Dublin. As we got closer to Dublin, the more the weather threatened and it did finally rain. the tour bus was still pretty quiet. I think we were still recovering from the jet lag and the motion of a long bus ride.

We had a picture taken at the Rock of Cashel in county Tipperary. The Rock of Cashel was the traditional seat of the Kings of Munster.

The Rock of Cashel

The boys along the castle wall at the Rock of Cashel


Twenty minutes later, we took off for Dublin. The rain and traffic  made driving difficult. We arrived for our meal in the Temple Bar area. It was Tortellini with ice cream for dessert.

The rain lessened and we got on the bus to go to our hotel, The Green Isle.

We got lost trying to find it, since it was outside Dublin. We didn't get to the hotel until 9:00 p.m. The roadways can be pretty complicated.

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