Sept 8th: Continuing with Ireland

 

I was able to find some additional photos to add to the last blog. 

I like this one of JP kissing the Blarney Stone because it shows how we had to lean way back over the opening 90 feet above the ground. You can also notice the worker is hanging on to JP's arm to prevent him from falling through the hole.

This is a picture of our gang climbing the mountain overlooking Lough Hyne. We found this great tree that everyone loved, especially the kids. The kids are all excellent hikers. I believe the kids and Louise are part mountain goat. I decided I wasn't going to try to keep up. Instead I went at my own pace. Christi stayed with me saying she liked my pace, I was a good excuse for her!

The kids are very fun to be around. Jamie raises chickens and sells eggs. This picture captures how cute these kids are.

As we were driving through Southern Ireland there were many quaint, small towns. We often found a place for breakfast. They are nice, laid back and very friendly. This is an example of one.

Breakfast

When I talked with people who had been to Ireland they invariably said the Pubs were the best. I had a hard time understanding that until we went to some.  But I found the pubs are a place for people to get together, dance, listen to music, drink and eat. Here is just one example.

Ballyseede Castle

We were all looking forward to our next accommodations in a castle! Christi made reservations for us to stay at Ballyseede Castle. It was an amazing place. I took so many pictures it was ridiculous. I'll include the ones I think are the most fun.

Castle Main Entrance

West side of the Castle

The grounds were vast and very nice. Here are pictures of the grounds.

View from my bedroom window

Well manicured sitting and walking area

The back yard, with the Irish Wolfhound patrolling! He was very large, laid back and friendly

Patio available to everyone

Torack's room

My room

Our rooms reflected the old times when the castle was built. My room had a great big old fashioned tub which felt great after our long hike.

Christi arranged for us to experience afternoon tea. I'd never had the experience and it sounded fun. The setting was luxurious and the food was excellent. Clearly afternoon tea is all about the food as much as the tea.

Tea food tower

All of the items listed were served, one of each for all of us, plus assorted scones and baked goods.

We received two towers like this, one serving 3 people and the other for 2. I originally thought we'd get scones or cookies or something. This was a meal for sure. We each got one of everything. The wait staff was again very friendly, personable and had a great sense of humor. My experience is that Irish people enjoy life and people.

Forest Fairy

Following afternoon tea we all needed some exercise. There is a lovely hiking trail on the extensive grounds. There were positive sayings, and little statues of fairies, goblins, etc. along the first 1/2mile or so. 

The inside of the castle was open to everyone. The rooms are very ornate. 

We played cards in this room. Nice setting for playing games.

Kaitlyn asked the people at the desk is she could play the piano. The lady said, "I don't know, can you?" Like I said, good sense of humor! I love this picture of Kaitlyn at the piano in the castle.

Kaitlyn

The decor was a mixture of medieval and sort of old. There were fun things around like this knight armor and this King's chair.

Casual dining area

Not everything was formal. There was a casual eating area and of course bar where we had dinner. The food was usually quite heavy with large portions and always good. Irish fare almost always includes "Chips," (fried potato wedges).

In this dining room was a picture of Hilda and a story about the history of the Castle. There is a rumor that Hilda can still be seen roaming the halls at night. Note the red rose.

Large dining area

Our last morning we had breakfast in yet another room. This one had the feel of being in a castle. It was quite large, big beamed ceiling, stone walls and decorated with a mix of medieval portraits and hot air balloons.

Christi, Will and Kaitlyn

Fortunately, Christi is an excellent planner. She found out that we could ask our server for apple slices to feed the burros on the grounds. They were very friendly and clearly used to handouts.

JP petting the Irish Wolfhound
 and Kaitlyn carrying the apple slices

Behind the corral, an enormous tree had fallen and was being cut up while we were there. They used a large crane and numerous big chain saws. I don't know how they ever dealt with the large trunk in the picture. The tree had to be hundreds of years old.

It was time to move on to our next adventure, One of the highlights of the trip, the Cliffs of Moher.