Phew! What a month! We planned two huge trips to coincide with some German holidays so that Jeff had to use fewer vacation days. The timing and weather couldn't have been better for both trips, so we really lucked out. It just made for some busy weeks in prepping, traveling, and recovering, only to do it all again a week later! But I digress . . . .
Our trip started in County Cork where we explored Cork, Blarney, and Cobh. Cork was fun but nothing too photo worthy. It is the 2nd largest city in Ireland (just behind Dublin). Still doesn't top out at 1 million. Pretty cool.
Blarney was amazing! Quaint little town filled with lots of B&Bs and small shops and pubs. Kissing the Blarney Stone has always been on my bucket list so to say I was super excited was an understatement. We arrived at Blarney Castle early to very few tourists. We stopped by the river to give William a bottle which is when Jeff realized our camera battery was dead. Who goes on vacation without checking the camera battery????? Apparently us. Ha! So we left the park, spent a few hours in Cobh while the camera charged back at our B&B, and then returned after lunch for our 2nd try at Blarney Castle. My apologies for the lack of pictures of Cobh - cute harbor town known for being the last port of the Titanic and the port for most of the passenger boats leaving Ireland during the famine. Thank goodness for iPhones allowing us to capture photos at Cobh, but still none as cool as Blarney.
Sooooo . . . here's Blarney Castle - Take two! The lady at the castle grounds entrance readily allowed us to leave and re-enter as long as I didn't "change that beautiful green sweater". Sure enough she remember us crazy Americans and allowed us re-entry in the afternoon. Love those Irish! The grounds of Blarney Castle were so beautiful. We spent several ours walking around gardens, paths, parks, and of course . . . . kissing the Blarney Stone!
Let's talk IRELAND!
So Jeff and I have two dream trips to take while we live in Europe. His will remain a surprise to you all until we are able to book it and blog about it, but mine was Ireland. I've always wanted to go to land of happy people, beautiful scenery, and leprechauns. Well, the first two didn't disappoint! In an effort to not overwhelm you with our 1,112 photos, I've split my posts in to city stops. If you REALLY have time on your hands, I'll see if my cute hubby can't post our album online.Our trip started in County Cork where we explored Cork, Blarney, and Cobh. Cork was fun but nothing too photo worthy. It is the 2nd largest city in Ireland (just behind Dublin). Still doesn't top out at 1 million. Pretty cool.
Blarney was amazing! Quaint little town filled with lots of B&Bs and small shops and pubs. Kissing the Blarney Stone has always been on my bucket list so to say I was super excited was an understatement. We arrived at Blarney Castle early to very few tourists. We stopped by the river to give William a bottle which is when Jeff realized our camera battery was dead. Who goes on vacation without checking the camera battery????? Apparently us. Ha! So we left the park, spent a few hours in Cobh while the camera charged back at our B&B, and then returned after lunch for our 2nd try at Blarney Castle. My apologies for the lack of pictures of Cobh - cute harbor town known for being the last port of the Titanic and the port for most of the passenger boats leaving Ireland during the famine. Thank goodness for iPhones allowing us to capture photos at Cobh, but still none as cool as Blarney.
Sooooo . . . here's Blarney Castle - Take two! The lady at the castle grounds entrance readily allowed us to leave and re-enter as long as I didn't "change that beautiful green sweater". Sure enough she remember us crazy Americans and allowed us re-entry in the afternoon. Love those Irish! The grounds of Blarney Castle were so beautiful. We spent several ours walking around gardens, paths, parks, and of course . . . . kissing the Blarney Stone!
Playing around on the grounds
Mr. Happy Pants -- Yes, those are tights. Yes, all the German babies wear them. Yes, they're warm. Yes, the stripes are cool. No, I didn't realize how periwinkle purple they would be when they looked so blue in the package! Oh well. Good thing I bought the 6-18 month size. There will be plenty of public embarrassment to come from them.
Me kissing the Blarney Stone!
(Jeff kissed it too!)
About 6 stories up, while holding metal bars attached to the castle wall, a castle employee helps you tip upside down through the open wall hole to lean back and upside down to kiss the stone. (Metals bars a foot below your back keep you from falling through the hole and down to the asphalt should either of you lose grip.) We were surprised to see how many people didn't kiss the stone. Only about 20% of the people we watched actually did it.
You'll have to forgive me if my posts tend to ramble from now on, for kissing the stone is supposed to give you the gift of gab!
Our Bed and Breakfast at Maranatha Country House. Fabulous hospitality and fabulous breakfast. We highly recommend it! It was fun to chat with the other guests. Many were just driving around Ireland with no set daily agenda, just a list of cities. They'd pull into a town and just choose a B&B on the spot. Ahhhhhh the freedom! Unfortunately, we've got a kiddo and this momma pre-booked all of our overnight stays to ensure a crib.
Our masculine-looking room. Thought I'd take of a picture of my two boys in our canopy bed at Maranatha!
* Blair's Inn was easily the best restaurant we ate at during our trip. *
They served beautifully cooked, authentic Irish food in a fabulously Irish atmosphere.
It's located on the R579 just outside of Blarney.
www.blairsinn.ie
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