This is going to be a shorter blog because we didn’t do as much today, and I’m not feeling well. I think I have a cold or sinus infection. But we had another beautiful day, sunny and a blue sky.

Blarney Castle – We left Killarney after breakfast and our first stop was outside of Cork at the famous Blarney Castle. It’s a big tourist attraction and the top of the castle has the infamous Blarney stone. Mom and I chose to walk the property and Carol and a George walked up the castle. Unfortunately there’s no way to fast pass, skip the stone and just see the castle. They definitely did not want to kiss it, but had to wait while others did. The property contains a poisonous garden, house, stable house, sculpture garden, and herbaceous border and pergola. The last one was my favorite. The flowering plants were just beautiful.

Since the Blarney Woolen Shop was within walking distance, we just had to shop in the largest Irish store in the world. It was huge, and we didn’t buy out the store. We ate lunch and hit the road again.

Rock of Cashel – we arrived her later than expected and only had time to view this for an hour before closing. It’s huge, it’s complex, it’s iconic, and amazing. It’s also not a rock, but instead, a spectacular collection of buildings set on an outcrop of limestone. The Rock of Cashel, more formally St. Patrick’s Rock, it is also known as Cashel of the Kings. The oldest and tallest of the buildings is the well preserved round tower. Cormac’s Chapel, the chapel of King Cormac Mac Carthaigh, was begun in 1127 and took 7 years to build. It is a sophisticated structure, with vaulted ceilings and arches, drawing on contemporary European architecture. The Cathedral, built between 1235 and 1270, is an aisleless building and has a central tower and terminating westwards in a massive residential castle. The entire plateau on which the buildings and graveyard lie is walled. In the grounds around the buildings an extensive graveyard includes a number of high crosses. They are quite stunning.

The tiny museum onsite had the Cross of St Patrick. It was made of local Drumbane sandstone. Originally the cross had two stone supports for the arms, of which only one now remains. Mom and George went to see a movie about the history of Ireland, Carol and I thought they left and we couldn’t find them anywhere.

We drove to Kilkenny, found our new,overnight accommodation, the Rosquil House, the three of them went out to dinner in town, and I stayed back hoping to feel better.