Leaving Waterville with mixed emotions.  The cottage and the landscape was so inviting, it is hard to go.  The good news, we have some great explorations to come as we head to Blarney, nearing the end of our Ireland adventure.  Along the winding coastal road, we stop at Kilarney National park for a short hike.  It seemed like everyone else in Western Ireland had the same idea.  Parking was at a premium and the nature walk felt more like a dirt sidewalk in rush hour.  Still the scenery was beautiful.

Kilarney National Park has more than just nature to visit.  In the early 19th century, the landowner of the time built an impressive Victorian mansion along the edge of Muckross Lake.   The castle by the same name and the grounds provide an excellent example the luxurious lifestyle of the Irish gentry.  

  

The rest of the day was spent looking out the window as we left the Wild Atlantic coast for Blarney Hotel Golf and Spa resort.  Our next two evenings will be spent here.  There is golf in our future.  John Daly is the co-designer of this parkland layout.  We arrive late afternoon and are all looking forward to not having to pack up and hit the road for a few days.  The rooms in this hotel are fantastic, large and inviting.  A sunken bedroom area with a step up area for lounging or working at the oversized desk.  A balcony with a table and chairs to watch the sunset.  Perfect.  We have had our fill of pub dining, a short drive away is Chinese restaurant, a nice change.

Up early, the original plan was to play golf this morning and tour the Blarney Stone Castle in the afternoon.  It was extremely windy and looked like it might rain.  Not exactly golfing weather.  So we changed it up.  Blarney Castle here we come.

"Baloney is flattery laid on with a trowel.  Blarney is flattery laid on with the lips, that is why you have to kiss the stone to get it."

 In order to kiss the Blarney one must first climb the spiral staircase to the rooftop, some 100 steps in a narrow dark turret.  Again, it seems that everyone decided to kiss the stone today.  The place is packed, we line up and wait.  About 15 minutes later, we are almost standing at the entrance to the castle.  The Blarney stone is directly above us to the right.  We can see the shape of a person stretched backwards reaching out to kiss the Blarney Stone, when the unthinkable happens.  She lost her head, so to speak.  The crowd becomes immediately quiet,  as a light brown bundle comes floating down the castle wall, landing with a gentle thud, in the garden.  It is at that moment the crowd goes from silence to giggles, to outright laughter.  The brown furry item is none other than the unsuspecting Blarney Stone's kisser hair, or in this case.... wig.   I wasn't fast enough with the camera to get a shot of it, floating down the wall.  I did get it at its resting place.......  The Blarney Stone is seen below, white space directly above the three small windows.

 If you look carefully you can see the wig lying beside the tree branch.  The victim of the hair raising experience laughed it off.  No pun intended!  The item was retrieved without further incident.  Up the stairs we go.

In order to kiss the stone, you must lie backwards and lean your head down looking at the ground. Dad and Johanne in action below.

Johanne is laughing but, in truth, she is pretty annoyed as she is wearing a dress today and I have to hang on to the sides of it so people can't see her underwear!The Blarney has much folklore as to it's power.  All of the stories point to the gift of eloquence for those who kiss the stone.  The ability to charm, the gift of the gab etc.  now flows through my person.  Can't wait to try it out.  I will let you know if it works.  LOL.
Ireland is full of these superstitions.....On a child's birthday, the family holds him or her upside down and knocks the head on the ground for as many years as their age of the day....it brings good luck!
The castle property includes many gardens.  The most interesting of which can be found behind the Castle battlements called the Poison Garden.  The collection includes poisonous plants from around the world including ones from Harry Potter like the Wolfsbane and the Mandrake.  The old expression "it will cure you or kill you" could not be more accurate.

The grounds are also home to Blarney House, a Scottish Victorian mansion.  The current owner, Sir Charles Colthurst, lives in the mansion, openning the house daily from 10-2 for guided tours.  Our timing would not permit a visit. Impressive structure!

We had heard that Kinsale, on the River Bandon, was worth visiting.  It was close to Cork which was our next destination so we decided to visit both.  Golf will wait tomorrow.  Cork is Ireland's third largest city.  It is known as the Rebel city mostly due to it's role in the War of the Roses and the local people's view that Cork is the true capital of Ireland.  A modern city with old bones.  It is home to a vibrant music and literary culture.  It's multi cultural population has created an  extremely diverse food culture as well.  Go to the "English market" in the heart of the city to see the broad range of food choices available.  Be warned, you're best not go there hungry as you will not be able to resist filling up a shopping bag or two.

 A quick trip down the road to Kinsale  A quaint little village is home to a great number of restaurants, a world class marina and a extremely well attended Gourmet Food Festival.  It is a compact town, full of galleries and interesting shops.

We completed our tour and arrived back at the hotel just in time for cocktail hour, which we enjoyed on the balcony with Mom and Dad.  Tomorrow, we are golfng and then heading east for the ferry to France with a stop at Waterford Crystal  along the way.

Be Well

Slainte!