| October 3rd Log |
Oct 3rd Gallery |
| We woke up to a nice Irish breakfast cooked by our host. We were the only ones staying there, so we had the full attention of Anne and her husband. He was into genealogy, so he gave us some quick information about the name Reynolds and Tyrone. Lovely couple. Breakfast was good and we were ready for a full day.
The Gables is a
little outside of town, but a good location. |
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The Blarney Castle was great, mostly because we where the first people in the gate. Get there as soon as you can, I understand you might have to wait to kiss the stone during peak times. It was a beautiful morning in Blarney, with low-lying fog to start the day, which turned in to clear skies.
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| Even the most untouristy visitor will probably feel compelled to kiss the Blarney Stone and get the gift of gab, or as an 18th-century French consul put it, 'gain the privilege of telling lies for seven years.' It was Queen Elizabeth I, exasperated with Lord Blarney's ability to talk endlessly without even actually agreeing to her demands, who invented the term. … Bending over backwards to kiss the sacred rock requires a head for heights. You're unlikely to fall since there's a grill and someone there to hold you. The stone is at the top of the castle; the long spiral staircases are narrow, steep and uneven so be careful.
Lonely Planet |
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| In Cork, we tried to find the Beamish
Brewery, which we happened upon by chance. We pulled up to the gate and struck up a conversation with the gateman. There wasn't going to be any tours today because of construction. Great. After struggling to find a parking space, we walked around and got a couple of pictures, then headed to Midleton. |
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The Old Midleton
Distillery/Jameson Heritage Center was fairly easily to find. For the cost of the tour, you got to sample some Jameson Whiskey. The tour was good and informative, something I would recommend. If they ask for a volunteer, raise your hand quickly! We ate a nice little lunch at the café. |
The distillery is about 20km east of Cork. Whiskey has been distilled here since the early 19th century, and the old works were opened to the public after a new distillery was opened. Twenty-four million bottles of whiskey are produced at this new plant each year. … Forty-five minute guided tour starts with a film show and continue with a walkabout that reveals the whole whiskey-making process. The tour ends in the bar, where two lucky volunteers get to compare assorted Irish whiskey with Scotch and Bourbon.
Lonely Planet
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After a sip of whiskey, and a little bit of a lunch, we headed of to Cashel. (We didn't have time for Cahir Castle, but we drove by it a couple of days later. It looked like a great place to stop). |
| Rock of Cashel is a fantastic place to visit. You start your tour with a nice video, and then you are free to wander the grounds. There's a little walk up the hill, parking is 2 euro, and entrance cost was around 5 euro. This is a Duchas site, so if you bought a Heritage Card, you would get free entry. |
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On the outskirts of Cashel a huge lump of limestone bristling with ancient fortifications rises up from the center of a grassy plain. Mighty stone walls encircle a complete round tower, a roofless abbey and the finest 12th-century Romanesque chapel in the country. For over a thousand years, the Rock of Cashel was a symbol of power, the base of kings and churchmen who ruled over the region and large swatches of the country.
Lonely Planet |
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Our B&B for the night was the Cuilin
House. Ty thought the lady of the house made the stay very enjoyable. He enjoyed conversing with her. The house is a little outside the town, so we had to drive to get back to town for dinner.
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| We ate at Dwan's Brewery for dinner. They only have food BEFORE 6 pm now. Their website is out of date. The food was decent and the beer was good. Ty got my two free pint glasses. Go, Ty! |
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