Blarney

We woke up this morning bright and early and excited for our day. We had bought some breakfast food at the grocery store the day before and made it in our hotel room. We had hot chocolate and porridge with golden syrup. (Honey). Then we headed out to Blarney.

On the way through the windy roads Hannah got a little car sick so we stopped to find some Dramamine. It's called something else here but we got some and then walked around the cutest shopping area. We walked thru the butcher shop and the pharmacy and the grocery. We had a delightful time and spent an hour or so. Sierra bought some fun Irish boots and a purse! I got a sweet little outfit for Penny.

After our break we were on our way again. Hannah felt much better and we had a cheerful drive. 

Blarney was wonderful. Magical. Charming. We had so much fun! We walked theu the dungeon first. It was very different than I pictured or than is portrayed in movies. It was awful, dark and wet and had low craggy ceilings and rough jagged floors. No wonder men went crazy in them. You couldn't stand up so we had to kind of creep thru. At the end there was a taller room and lots is people has signed their names on the wall. We had fun reading "sister" and "elder" followed by their last names on several spots;)

The castle was neat. It has tons of narrow stairs and little rooms. The views were amazing. We all kissed the Blarney Stone and are hoping to be rewarded with the gift of eloquence.

I can not describe how beautiful it is here. It's so green and peaceful. It feels like a balm to my soul. It reminded Hannah and I both of Maryland, different of course, but green and fresh and wonderful.

We wandered the grounds for many hours and saw so many delightful sights. There were the wishing stairs that left the witches kitchen and lead down to a waterfall where it is said if you walk down and back up with your eyes closed and thinking of nothing but your wish...not the tiniest peep of another fleeting thought then your wish will be granted within a years time. Dani tried it so we shall see!

We walked thru the poison garden where you were first met with a stern admonition to not touch, taste or smell anything in the garden or you might die! It felt like walking thru Harry Potter's herbology/potions class!

There was a trail by the river and another they the forest.

There were caves and Druid ruins and a fairy glen.

After many pleasant hours we left and drove to Killarney.

Our hotel here is very nice and right in the middle of the city. 

After a most delicious dinner and dessert we wandered the streets and browsed the shops.

It could not have been a nicer more pleasant, relaxing, enchanting day. 

There has been much laughing and chatting and marveling at the beauty of this fair isle.

I feel so blessed and grateful for this wonderful opportunity to adventure with my precious girls.