Ireland 2019
July 7 — King John’s Castle, Blarney Castle, Cork, & Waterford
Today, we got up early and went to breakfast. It was a little different then the other continental breakfasts we’ve had. It was mostly cereals and breads. You could order a hot breakfast for more cost but I thought the croissants, melon, and strawberries was perfect. Then we walked over to King John’s Castle which was really well done. It’s a cool castle and the displays are really interesting. I do wonder if the technology takes something away from the authenticity of the place but it was still very very cool. Nancy and Dad thought the tech only added to it. The walk was interesting because Limerick must have an issue with people picking up dog Pooh. There is a 4,000 Euro fine and signs everywhere. Kind of funny. The slogan is scoop to poop.
Then we drove to Blarney Castle. I was surprised by how nice the gardens were and there was an exhibit of photography taken at the castle which was interesting. Then we got in line to kiss the Blarney Stone. Dad wouldn’t wait with us because “he had not stood in a line that long since the Army and he wasn’t going to start now.” I think he missed out. We walked up the old spiral stairs (I think the sword fights in movies are a joke; there is no way, there is just no room). We got up to the top and kissed the stone (Nancy had to really strain to kiss the stone as she is so short and you have to lean way down) and then got to see the rest of the castle. Almost better was the view from the top. Then we made our way down and finally found some stickers for Martha-Kelly. Then we went to Muskerry Tavern for lunch. It was good and more like a typical American sports bar with TVs everywhere, but in an old pub environment. Again, Fun.
We drove through Cork, just to see it. Then made our way to Waterford. When we finally got to the city we were all excited to be staying in such a nice fun looking area. But Ray just kept on driving through the city and up a hill for what seemed like forever to our Luxury Accommodation at Faithlegg House Hotel & Golf Resort which dad said was old retired couple’s dream. I was super disappointed not to be staying downtown. It really seems like a cool city...I guess, we will find out tomorrow. As is, we had a nice dinner in the bar, I had a delicious club sandwich with sweet potato fries (yum). Nancy did an Irish Whiskey tasting. Dad was appalled because she drank the first one like a shot of Tequila. She drank the second and third pretty darn fast too. (3 minutes she was done). Dad was in abject horror because he said it should have taken her an hour to really taste and enjoy the three options.
Limerick
King John’s Castle
Blarney Castle
“Queen Elizabeth I is credited with introducing the word ‘blarney’ to the English language. Her emissary, Sir George Carew, was charged with persuading the MacCarthy chieftain to abandon his ancient rights and accept the authority of the English throne. Every time he tried, he was met with long and eloquent protestations of loyalty and honeyed flattery of the queen — but also with no agreement. In frustration, Elizabeth exlaimed, “This is all Blarney. What he says he never means.” And a new word was born.” — Blarney Castle Plaque
Four Stories of the Blarney Stone (CONTENT COPIED DIRECTLY FROM THE PLAQUES AT BLARNEY CASTLE)
Story 1: It was said to have been the stone used by Jacob as a pillow when he dreamed of a ladder extending up to heaven with angels ascending and descending on it. The stone brought from Holy Land after the Crusades.
Story 2: Another legend is that it was given to the MacCarthy Chieftain by Robert Bruce in thanks for the support that he offered by sending 5,000 kerns (foot soldiers) to Scotland to help him agains Edward II, and that was a part of the stone of Scone, on which the Kings of Scotland were inaugurated. This custom was practiced by Irish Chieftains too, and survives today at the coronation of the British monarch, who is crowned on the Stone of Scone.
Story 3: A further legend tells us that Cormac McTaidhg Láidir MacCarthy, the builder of the earliest part of the castle, rescued an old woman from drowning in a lake. She turned out to be a witch (witches could not cross water). In gratitude she told him of a certain stone already in his castle that had magic properties and that he could benefit by kissing it.
Story 4: However the most elaborate and romantic legend concerns the Queen of the Fairies in South Munster, who was the beautiful daughter of a leading Druid. She fell in love with a gallant young chieftain who broke her heart by not returning her love. He was killed in battle and she found his body on a stone on the banks of the river Lee (just south of Blarney. His blood had soaked into the stone. There she grieved, her tears joining his blood in the stone which she continually kissed. This caused her magical powers to be absorbed by the stone itself.
