British Isles Tour - Day Six Cork (Ringaskiddy), Ireland - The Blarney Stone; Kinsale, Ireland

Today we were all excited to get to Ireland--but I think Larry was the most excited.  He had served his Two-Year Mormon Mission to Ireland as a young 19-year-old.  Although he has been back to Ireland one time since, we would be going to some of the places he served in and some he had never seen. 

We started today by traveling to Cork and driving to Patrick Bridge over the River Lee.  Joyce wrote about this experience so well, so I will quote her:  "This bridge had significance to Larry when he was on his mission about 50 years ago.  Every day Larry and his companion would cross the bridge to track out investigators and would meet a beggar who played the flute.  Larry’s companion would give the man a schilling (about 25 cents) and Larry said, “Why do you do that, you’re just contributing to him buying more alcohol?”  His companion said, “Read Mosiah 4 where King Benjamin states that, “…are we not all beggars?” After reading in Mosiah, Larry started giving the man his schilling also.  It was a great lesson to learn."  

Larry today, as well as a 19-year-old missionary in the two pictures on the right.

Patrick Bridge over the River Lee

Larry was excited to share experiences and show places that he had been.

We then drove to Cobh (pronounced Cove).  This little town is so quaint with all the buildings, streets, and piers architecturally preserved.  We headed for St. Colman's Cathedral.  It was a fantastic architectural structure on the outside as well as the inside.

 

 

Just across the street from this Cathedral, we could see the rows of painted houses.  Larry told us they were called "Row Houses."  You would choose to live at the top--otherwise, your home fills with the rain runoff from those above.

Next, we drove to the Cobh Heritage Centre.  We felt a sudden connection when we realized that this harbor city, formerly known as Queenstown, was the Titanic's last port of call on its ill-fated sailing in 1912. 

We, also, learned that Cobh was the departure point for 2.5 million of the six million Irish people who emigrated to North America between 1848 and 1950. 

After the German's sunk the Lusitania, the survivors and victims of the ship were brought here to Cobh.  This was one of the major translantic Irish ports in its day.

There was actually a Titanic Museum there; however, we didn't have enough time to go through it.

The people in Cork are, also, very proud of the fact that the first immigrant to be processed at Ellis Island on January 1st, 1892, was Annie Moore, a 15-year-old girl from Cork, Ireland.  There are statues on both sides of the Atlantic--at Ellis Island National Monument and here at the Cobh Heritage Centre.  I loved how the plaque stated:  "Her image will forever represent the millions who passed through Ellis Island in pursuit of the American Dream, and is a symbol for immigrants of all nations that have contributed to the rich fabric of the United States."  

I thought this plaque was, also, very interesting.  I had heard about the Great Irish Famine, but learned more through reading about it here.  This memorial was dedicated to "the million Irish famine dead and the 800 million people who today experience hunger in the world's poorest nations."  This commemorated when the USS Jamestown brought food donated by the people of Boston.  In addition, other ships came from the U.S., Canada, Britain, Continental Europe, India, and Australia.  

Next stop:  Blarney Castle.  I have to admit I knew very little about Blarney Castle before visiting there.  I had heard of the Blarney stone, but that was about it.  What a shocking experience this turned out to be!

On the path up to the castle, musicians entertained us with beautiful Irish melodies and . . .

 Irish ballads.

It was quite a walk just to get to the castle itself.

 The present day stone castle was completed in 1446.   

 

The castle itself is in quite dis-repair which was interesting with so many people visiting it each day.

The notice indicated we were actually in the basement that until recently housed cattle.  It was also the place where barrels of wine would be stored and put in smaller containers so that the person could start the "weary climb up the spiral staircase to deliver some Blarney hospitality."

Originally the walls and ceilings were made of a "weave of hazel," and since then has been plastered over.  But with the plaster falling off, you can still see the weave.  How many of our houses today could last since 1446?  Hah!

The next thing we knew, we were following everyone up the stairs.  The first two ladies (Peggy and Pam) were the tour agents for our entire trip.  The man behind (Dan), is the husband of the second lady.  They did such a dynamite job of organizing the entire tour!

 Soon you are on the original stairs which continue to wind upward with only a rope to hang on to.

 Sometimes you can't even stand up straight!

Every once in awhile you could look through the openings and see the beautiful country around the castle . . .

 or other parts of the castle grounds.

 On the way up, we passed the Earl's Bedchamber with a plaque announcing that Winston Churchchill kissed the Blarney Stone.

And here was where the former banquet hall was.  Almost to the top . . .

We were all so proud of Doug.  Even with his bad feet, he climbed the entire 120 stairs!

  Looking up at Beverly and Larry while they were looking down at me.

 The top floor of the castle.  We were now in the place where we had climbed so many stairs for--to kiss the Blarney Stone.  As I looked ahead, I couldn't believe my eyes . . .

 You have to lean backwards (holding on to an iron railing) from the parapet walk.  The prize for kissing the Blarney Stone is “the gift of eloquence.”  (In other words, you can have the gift of gab!)  The stone’s origin is shrouded in myth.  It was either brought back from the Holy Land by crusaders, or perhaps was part of Scotland’s royal Stone of Scone.

An Irishman actually is there to help you accomplish the task and help assure that you won't fall the five stories down on your head!  Here was Joyce . . .

and Doug. 

Beverly . . .

and Larry.

Why weren't there pictures of George and me?  Well, George has a great reason--his back and neck wouldn't allow it.  However, as for me?  "Germaphobic" after the millions have kissed it or just didn't feel the need to "gain the gift of gab."  It think I have that one covered pretty well.  Anyway, these guys were all great sports! 

I have to say the trip down was even more daunting that going up.  If you stumbled at all, you could have tumbled five stories down on stone steps!

 
 On the way down, we noticed this screened area called, "The Murder Hole."


The plaque states:  "When the outer doors had been battered down, assailants entering the lobby below were easily dispatched from here by boiling liquids, stones, or other missiles."





The Irish countryside around the castle was just breath-taking.

This picture shows how high the castle really is with the people lined up at the top to kiss the Blarney Stone.




 The view underneath where the Blarney Stone is.

The guys stopped for a little rest after the climb.


As we headed back to the bus, what did we see ahead . . .


 Oh, how George wished the cones could be this big!

Seriously, this one some of the best ice cream ever!


Our last stop was to visit the fishing village of Kinsale, about 16 miles south of Cork. The city is a charming fishing village sitting on a picturesque harbor, surrounded by green hills.

 Joyce stated:  "With its narrow, winding streets, well-kept 18^th-Century houses, imaginatively painted shop fronts, window boxes overflowing with colorful flowers, and a harbor full of sailboats, Kinsale is enchanting."  So true! 

Joyce, Beverly, and I wandered past and through the shops in the winding, narrow streets--just enjoying this beautiful little town.

The view from our ship that Beverly took as we were leaving the picturesque city of Cobh.

Back at the cruise ship, we ate a wonderful dinner, and then watched “The Magical Mayhem of Neal Austin.”  We literally laughed out loud many times during his show! 

Tomorrow:  Waterford, Ireland