July 08, 2004 - Killarney


     Today was mostly taken up with a lengthy drive through the Irish countryside, with two stops along the way.  As to the countryside in general, I felt it looked a lot like Vermont (which is a high compliment) though less mountainous.  The first of our stops was at a sheep farm, where we had tea and scones and then watched their sheep dog round up the sheep.  Thoroughly enjoyable.
 sheep

     The main stop of the day, however, was the town of Blarney including the castle and stone of the same name.  Rather than use up my new eloquence (yes, I kissed the stone), I'll just show you some pictures of it all.  Kissing the stone by the way, was not a casual thing.  After walking up the hill to the castle, you then have to climb 110, narrow, winding stone stairs to the castle top.  Then, you lie down on your back, slide your head over the edge of the castle roof, tip your head over back, and kiss the stone that has just been kissed by god knows who with god knows what diseases.  On the other hand, would you go all the way to Blarney and not kiss the stone?

Blarney Castle
Blarney Castle
 Earl's Bed
I was flattered but felt we should move on.
climbing 1
climbing 2
on top
kissing the blarney stone

     Tonight should be more relaxed than last night.  We reached Killarney around 5:00 p.m., don't have dinner until 7:00, and have no organized activities after that. Moreover, we are leaving later tomorrow morning than today, AND we are staying two nights in this hotel, so we don't have to repack!  Life is good.

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