Monday, April 27:
Today, we departed Killarney and made our way to Waterford. Gathering for breakfast the mountains in the view were covered with a dusting of snow. Once our bags were packed and all were on the coach, we noticed rain drops started to fall. On our way to Waterford we stopped at the Blarney Castle. My last visit to kiss the Blarney stone was a wet one! It was my hope that things would clear up and we would have a lovely day. By the time we arrived, my hopes were granted. 

Arriving at the Castle, we had a number who were planning to climb the 127 steps to carry out that which many before have done - Kiss the Blarney Stone! Once at the top - you line up for the little opening shown in the picture. When you arrive, you are gently laid back and essentially "kiss the blarney stone" with your head leaning over the opening and kissing the stone with the top of your head pointed toward the ground. The bars underneath the opening have been added since the time I kissed it. There were a few that kissed it that didn't need to add to their "gift of gab". :) 

After visiting the castle, the gardens were quite nice. There was a special section for poisonous plants (i.e. rhubarb, wormwood, opium poppy, marijuana). Then, not to be missed - shopping! Ugh! The biggest hit was the Blarney Woolen Mill Outlet. Along with shopping, folks had a bite of lunch (soup from the pub or snacks picked up at the breakfast bar) before we continued on our journey. 

Our next stop was Waterford. Along the way we had rain and some hail. It was nice to be on the coach out of the elements. Arriving in Waterford, we went to the House of Waterford Crystal. A time to visit the "facilities" was provided prior to our factory tour. The tour provided us an opportunity to see each stage of the development of Waterford Crystal: wooden mould making, crystal blowing and furnace, crystal marking, cutting, and quality inspection and finishing. Other stages showed us crystal sculpting, engraving and design inspiration. Following the tour, we visited the retail store which houses the largest collection of Waterford Crystal in the world. 

Leaving the House of Waterford Crystal, we took a walking tour of the historic city of Waterford. The wind was blowing and folks were freezing. Waterford is Ireland's oldest center of continuous urban settlement in Ireland and is consequently Ireland's oldest city. In 914, the great viking adventurer and pirate, Regnall, a grandson of Ivor the Boneless, established a base in Waterford and built a longphort or ship's haven, which would in time become a modern city. Reginald's Tower is the oldest civic urban building in Ireland and is one of the most remarkable Viking buildings still in existence in Ireland. The present tower was built on the site of the original Viking fort named after Regnall who founded the city in 914. During its lifetime, the tower has been used as a royal court, mint and a prison. Next to the tower was a replica of a Viking ship which was launched in Waterford city on the 25th of November, 2012. The vessel is modeled on one of the famous Viking ships found at Roskilde, in Denmark. An analysis of the wood used in its construction shows that one of these ships came from the Dublin area in Ireland with timbers felled in 1042 - 1043 A.D. In about the year 1070 the inhabitants of Roskilde scuttled five ships in the narrow mouth of their fjord, in an attempt to barricade themselves against attacks by their fellow Vikings. 

Following the tour, we made our way back to the hotel to check-in and have dinner. We stayed at The Tower Hotel across the street from the Tower. At dinner, we had a choice of shepherd's pie (with lamb), a fish duo (salmon and haddock), or risotto. At the end of the meal we celebrated Beth Jones birthday. 

Tomorrow, we head to Dublin! 

Sunday, April 26:

Waking up to sunshine was the start of a perfect day! Departing for the day, our first stop was the beautiful Muckross House. The house offered a glimpse into the elegant lifestyle of the Victorian gentry. We explored the perfectly restored rooms of this magnificent mansion. This nineteenth century Victorian mansion is set against the stunning beauty of Killarney National Park. The house stands close to the shores of Muckross Lake, one of Killarney's three lakes.

Muckross House was built for Henry Arthur Herbert and his wife, the watercolorist, Mary Balfour Herbert. This was actually the fourth house that successive generations of the Herbert family had occupied at Muckross over a period of almost two hundred years. William Burn, the well-known Scottish architect, was responsible for its design. 

In the basement, we could imagine the busy bustle of servants as they went about their daily chores (hauling water upstairs for a bath, etc.). We could see part of the gardens through the windows of the house - rhododendrons and azaleas were in bloom. Beautiful!

After leaving the Muckross House, we began our journey around the Ring of Kerry, one of the most beautiful coastal routes in the world. Along the way we stopped for lunch and shopping at Moriarity's at the Gap of Dunloe - a place for wool products. Several made purchases of sweaters, scarves, and/or hats. For lunch, the options were soup, sandwich or a cider. Following lunch, our tour of the Ring continued with some photo stops and rest stops along the way. The views were incredible - around every bend.

Approaching one of our stops - the highest elevation along the Ring - Phil shared with us that at the stop there is usually a van where a guy is selling poitin (pronounced "put cheen") - a traditional Irish distilled beverage ("moonshine"). Prior to our stop Phil offered an opportunity for folks to smell it or taste it. Reaching the stop - one fellow was playing an accordion and selling St. Bernadette crosses (by placing in your home - it will be protected from fire). Another man had lambs for folks to pet and get a picture made with the lamb. A van was selling ice cream cones. There was another vehicle and it was assumed he was selling the poitin.

One of the villages we drove through along the Ring was Killorglin. Killorglin is known for the Puck Fair (Irish: Aonach an Phoic, meaning "Fair of the He-Goat", 'poc' being the Irish for a male goat). The fair is reputed to be one of Ireland's oldest fairs which takes place annually for three days beginning on the 10th of August.

Another stop along the Ring was Waterville. Here, we had a rest stop and opportunity to walk on the beach. I took a moment to build a cairn on the beach. After walking on the beach we made our way to a statue of Charlie Chaplan. Chaplin brought his family to Waterville on vacation every year for over ten years beginning in 1959. Initially staying at the Butler Arms Hotel, he eventually purchased property which is still in the family today. Despite not being Irish, he became so beloved by the community during his brief stays, that they finally erected a permanent bronze statue of him. In addition to the statue, the small town now holds a Chaplin film festival each year which has been endorsed by the Chaplin estate. 

 A final stop along the Ring was the point called "Ladies View". Here, we could see the Lakes of Killarney: Lough Leane, Muckross Lake (middle lake), and Upper Lake.


















We drove back through Killarney on the way back to the hotel, driving by St. Mary's Cathedral. Arriving at the hotel folks were on their own for dinner. Several ate at the Brasserie Bar - which offered burgers and steaks. After dinner, off to bed to prepare for an early start to Waterford.

Saturday, April 25:

Breakfast at The Old Ground Hotel before we departed for Killarney. Our first stop was the Molanna Dairy Farm. We were greeted by Margaret and Paddy Fenton. They invited us into our home where we had tea or coffee and Guinness Cake or Scone. The guinness cake was wonderful!! After a welcoming reception, we made our way to the Fenton homeplace where Paddy Fenton was born. We all gathered in a room and heard him tell his story. He ended with this wonderful poem, "What is All When All is Told" by Mona Tierney: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUFeWekD9xc

 








We then met Patrick, son of Margaret and Paddy. He is running the dairy and he told us how he ran the dairy with 150 cows. While he was talking it began to rain and we made our way into the milking shed. The rain was short=lived. Patrick shared wonderful information regarding his work on the farm. The entire visit made us aware of the hospitality of an Irish family and connected us a little closer to what life was like living off the land.

 








Leaving the Molanna Dairy Farm, we made our way to Killarney. When we arrived we had a little over an hour before our next scheduled event. Some went to eat lunch (fish and chips, etc). I had a guinness and enjoyed sitting and relaxing. When we gathered together, we were treated to a time-honored Irish jaunting car ride. A jaunting car is a light two-wheeled carriage for a single horse, in its most common form with seats for two or four persons placed back to back, with the foot boards projecting over the wheels. The jaunting car ride took us through the Killarney National Park. With the wind, it was freezing cold! Some blankets were provided - but this was not enough. It was a great ride!

 

After the Jaunting car ride, we had free time. Some shopped. There were a few that sat in the hotel lobby of the Killarney Park Hotel. While they were there a wedding reception was taking place and they were given some champagne from the wedding. Since I had not eaten lunch I went to the Porter House and had a fish 'n' chips. I sat near a window and enjoyed sitting and watching people go by. 

Once back on the bus, we made our way to our lodging for the evening. The Europe Hotel and Resort - a wonderful hotel where we would be staying for 2 nights. We had time to go to our rooms and freshen up before dinner. It was a wonderful hotel!

Gathering for dinner in the Panorama Restaurant, we had a choice of the following:

Salad or Soup

   Classic Smoked Salmon (Seaweed and Fennel, Horseradish Cream)

   Roast Butternut Squash & Parmesan Custard (Ginger Bread, Goats cheese beignet, smoked seed, walnut puree)

   Cream of Caroot & Orange soup

Entree:

   Roast striploi of beef(king oyster mushroom, confit onion and bacon jus)

   Ovenbaked fillet of Hake (Gratinated by spinach, prawns & buffalo mozzarella)

   Wild mushroom risotto (smoked gubbeen, kale and walnuts)

Dessert:

   Classic Chocolate Fudge Cake

   Europe Classic (Vanilla Ice Cream served with hot raspberries

   Selection of Irish Farmhouse Cheese (with crackers, fig jam  & grapes)

After dinner, folks made their way back to the room to get ready for a new day.

Friday, April 24:

After breakfast, we set out for the Cliffs of Moher, located on the western shore of Ireland. Today was overcast with threatening rain. The drive to The Cliffs was beautiful! Dry stone fences. Skeletal remains of Abbeys and Castles. Fields of green. Yellow blooming gorse shrubs. 

Once we arrived at The Cliffs of Moher Visitor's Center, we used the facilities, then we explored on our own. Some chose to watch a short film showing the Cliffs. Others set out on foot to view the Cliffs. The walk was not too bad. The view was incredible! Atop the 700-foot-high Cliffs - we had an incredible view of the Atlantic Ocean and the Aran Islands. The Cliffs take their name from an old fort called Moher that once stood on Hag's Head, the southernmost point of the cliffs. 

The Cliffs consist mainly of beds of Namurian shale and sandstone, with the oldest rocks being found at the bottom of the cliffs. It is possible to see 300 million year old river channels cutting through, forming unconformities at the base of the cliffs. 

There are an estimated 30,000 birds living on the cliffs, representing more than 20 species. These include Atlantic Puffins, which live in large colonies at isolated parts of the cliffs and on the small Goat Island. Also present are hawks, gulls, guillemots, shags, ravens and choughs. 

Standing on the edge of the cliffs and looking out - hearing the sound of crashing waves and birds below - feeling the breeze hitting me - God felt near. It reminded me of a poem by Sara Teasdale called "There Will Come Soft Rains". Here are the words: 

"There will come soft rains and the smell of the ground, 

and swallows circling with their shimmering sound;

and frogs in the pools, singing at night,

and wild plum trees in tremulous white,

Robins will wear their feathery fire,

whistling their whims on a low fence-wire;

and not one will know of the war, not one

will care at last when it is done.

Nor one would mind, neither bird nor tree,

If mankind perished utterly;

And Spring herself, when she woke at dawn,

would scarcely know that we were gone."

An interesting question, "After humans are gone, would nature even notice if we are gone?"

Leaving The Cliffs of Moher we made our way through the vast limestone landscape of the Burren, known for its stark beauty and Neolithic tombs. The word "Burren" comes from an Irish word "Boireann" meaning a rocky place. This is an extremely appropriate name when you consider the lack of soil cover and the extent of exposed Limestone Pavement. However, it has been referred to in the past as "fertile rock" due to the mixture of nutrient rich herb and floral species. 

Continuing on, we made a stop in Galway, "the city of tribes". Prior to stopping, we drove by the Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and St. Nicholas. We were going to go inside but elected not to since it was raining and we discovered that it was completed in 1965. After stopping, since the rain had begun folks made their way to a local restaurant or pub to get out of the rain. 

After a couple of hours, we boarded the bus and began our way back to the hotel. We made a stop at Connemara Marble. Here we heard where the marble comes from and then how it is used to make jewelry and other items that were for sale in the gift shop. Departing the gift shop, our next stop was our hotel - The Old Ground Hotel. 











Dinner was a selection of beef, chicken or salmon for the entree. Among the selections for dessert was a cheesecake and sticky toffee pudding. Music was scheduled for the hotel pub at 10:30 p.m. but no one took advantage of this. Most went to bed preparing for an early departure for Killarney.

 Sculpture outside the front of The Cathedral of Saint Peter and Saint Paul 

which was next to our hotel.