Jun 27, 2007 - Full of "B.S" (Blarney Stone)

Its been a fun day today! After a market breakfast (yogurt and fruit from the local vendor) we set out to find Blarney Castle. I have to say - this driving thing is getting better. I actually only did one loop and then found my way! Pretty good huh! Anyways, we got to Blarney Castle and found Blarney Woolen Mills first which was a life saver. We found wonderful snuggly wool sweaters and each of us bought one. no more cold! In fact shortly after we bought them the sun came out - but reality is it won't stay! Anyways, we then made our way to...

Jun 26, 2007 - London To Cork

This morning I woke at 3 am - this jetlag thing might be tougher than I hoped. Maren was a typical child - "let me sleep longer Mom" and that was at 8:30! But I got her out of bed with the news that they breakfast was being served in the room downstairs and our hotel was full of about 13 year olds from a school in France who were on tour - we might want to get down there while there is still food! After breakfast we hit the streets walking. We found out that what we were seeing was the British Parliamnet and we found it and took pictures,...

Jun 22, 2007 - Cork

Lauren (a girl I met staying at the hostel also) and I visited the Blarney Castle and the Woolen Mills just outside of Cork. Then we went to the Butter Museum, Cork City Gaol Museum, the National Radio Museum and Strandon Street Market. One evening we caught a play called 'Meat'. It was quite strange but a bit funny too. We also wandered around visiting a few churches/cathedrals and various city monuments. We strolled along the Lee North Channel of the river in the evening watching the sunset and cast reflections on the water.

Jun 9, 2007 - Road Trip-Kenmare

I drove to Kilrush where I boarded a short ferry to Tarbert. I drove through Listowel, Tralee before stopping at Brandon Bay beach to go for a swim. The water was cool and refreshing. I navigated the narrow road up Connor Pass to be rewarded with spectacular views at the top. I drove around the Dingle Peninsula stopping for another swim at Inch Beach. Then I drove to Cahersiveen and around the Ring of Kerry finally stopping at Kenmare. I stayed in a small hostel run by a neat old lady. She served tea and biscuits and gave each of her guests...

May 22, 2007 - Annascaul to Cork

Drove a couple of hours to Balarney Castle. We wandered around the grounds a while before climbing up the narrow spiral staircase to the top...for the most important part of the trip...kissing the Balarney Stone! Then we drove south through Cork to a small fishing village Kinsale. I saw lots of 'stix' for Dad...took some pix too! We wandered around a bit. I found a cute little bookstore (good thing my bag is heavy enough already...so I was able to resist!) We drove back to Cork. Our hostel was located in a really old part of town with some...

May 22, 2007 - Leave Doolin to Castletown

Day three...lots of winding roads. We left late 12:30 and drove till 8:30pm. Doolin to Ennis and then to Limerick and the roads got better the views still nice. First stop Adare were we visited a monastary where a Scottish order from the 1200's freed those taken captive during the crusades. After looking at the thatched cottages we went over to the Adare Manor where the Irish open was just held. What a place to explore. I got to hold the Irish Open Trophy. Driving south into Killarny where the horse drawn carriages bring folks around the...

May 19, 2007 - Blarney, Co. Cork - Lunch & Shopping

We've been to Blarney many, many times and it seems I never buy much there. There is a great store which carries all sorts of clothing, crystal, china, and other things uniquely Irish. This year, I went overboard buying clothing. Maybe, it's the trip to Alaska; but, I ended up with sweaters and a waterproof rain jacket. Joe bought some Celtic Music CD's. After that, we had lunch at the hotel; terrific food at reasonable prices. May is also the month for First Communion and Confirmations, and the Irish go all out with parties on these...

May 3, 2007 - Mallow, Co. Cork - The Green Green Grass of Home

Once we cleared customs, I called my sister and she and her husband were just pulling in to the airport when we walked out through immigration and customs...what good timing!!. We were home in about 1 1/2 hours and Mom was delighted to see us. The weather in Ireland has been unseasonably warm and dry during April but everything was still very lush and green. After getting settled in, we went to bed for a couple of more hours...just to ward off any potential jet lag. My sister and her husband returned again Thursday night to visit and we...

Apr 3, 2007 - Waterford to Cork

Another busy day filled with sights and history. We started out with an optional excursion -- a walk around Waterford. Waterford (from the Old Norse word for "windy fjord") is the primary city of the southeast region of Ireland, and the 5th largest in the country. Founded in 914 AD by the Vikings, it is Ireland's oldest city. In the year 1000 it had 1000 residents, rivalling London and other major European cities. The oldest area of the city is the "Viking triangle". This part of the city is surrounded by the original 10th century...

Mar 29, 2007 - Cork

Cory is the Republics second largest city was worth a stop if only for the good company at the hostel. and a good museum that had displays that described the history of the area, and what happened to the people at different times. I find that a lot more interesting than old bits of rock and stuffed animals. Blarney Stone The biggest tourist attraction around Cork is the Blarney Stone. Tourists flock to the Blarney Castle to kiss the Blarney stone. This was named by Queen Elizabeth I because she was exasperated by Lord Blarney's ability...

Mar 21, 2007 - Cork

Posh Breakfast at the Dunraven This morning we decided to have breakfast across the street at the Dunraven Arms Hotel (est. 1792). The breakfast was buffet style, with eggs, bacon, sausages, fried tomatoes plus cereal, fruit, juice and breads. Sounds good, eh? Well, it was just average food, but we were surprised to find out that it cost about 22 euros each!! Way more expensive than we thought it would be. But hey, you only live once, right? At 10 a.m. we were back at the Heritage Centre here in Adare at the library to get on the internet....

Dec 30, 2006 - Back to Cork...back to reality

Spent the day sleeping in, and updating this site with all my germany travels. Hung around with the other regulars here at the hostel. Did some food shopping which is my least fav thing to do...especially in Ireland. Everything is expensive, the stores are always busy, can never find what I'm looking for and you have to bag your own groceries. Which is fine but they expect you to be fast. I also emailed a guy about a flat in city center that isn't available until the end of Jan but that would be good since I need to make money before I can...