To kiss the Blarney

Today we were in the road. We left county Tipperary, travelled through county Cork and are now in County Kerry. 

Overlooking Dungarvan Bay on route.
We stopped in Cobh (pronounced Cove) which has the second largest natural harbour in the world and visited their museum dedicated to Irish Emigration. The museum was amazing, dedicating different areas to different times: indentured servants who emigrated, the potato famine, the titanic ( Cobh was the last harbour it visited before setting off across the ocean), etc.

Lisa buying her “passage” across!

Your entrance ticket gave you the name of someone who emigrated, the year and the boat they sailed upon. You could then “research” your character. Mine was Annie Moore, the first person to go through the Ellis Island immigration centre in New York City. This was her statue.

There were very sad times in Irish history. The potato famine lasted from 1847-1852. During that time, the Irish population decreased by about 4 million, either through emigration or death.


A big cruise ship was in port.

Next we were off to Blarney Castle.







It was beautiful. It was built as a castle for the MacArthy’s in 1447.

Of course, we had to climb the precarious 127 stone steps to the top in order to kiss the Blarney Stone. 

To kiss the stone, you must lie on your back, bend your back backwards, lean way over while holding on to two bars and kiss the stone that is perched high above the ground. We all did it! You’ll have fun trying to figure out the photos! They are taken from such an awkward vantage point.

The grounds of the castle were spectacular as well. Tim and I visited a mystical garden.

For Outlander fans, I was waiting to be sent back in time after touching the Druid stones!

This was the witches’ rock. Can you see her silhouette?