On our way to Killarney, we made a morning stop at the Blarney Castle. We were so lucky that we got a break from yesterday’s rain and had a beautiful day today. The word “blarney” was coined by Elizabeth I to describe her endless and fruitless discussions with Dermot McCarthy over his surrender of the castle to the Crown. The McCarthys built the present castle with its 85-foot-high keep in 1446, replacing an earlier castle.
I managed to climb the 129-step winding staircase that leads up a tower to the famed Blarney Stone. According to legend, anyone who manages the backward lean to kiss it receives the “gift of the gab”— a smooth, soothing way with words that at best mean nothing. Thank goodness there was someone to assist me!
The people across the way are are waiting for their turn to kiss the Blarney Stone.
This view from the top of the castle keep shows how high we were. Though the Blarney Stone gets all the publicity, the castle’s tower house and surrounding gardens are superb in their own right. The castle’s grounds also include caves, dungeons, and a rock garden of ancient trees and weathered stones.
Such a lovely touch to listen to the bagpiper at the base of the castle.
When we arrived in Killarney, we had lunch, then visited St. Oliver’s School, an elementary school supported in part by Grand Circle Foundation. One such project is a vegetable garden, developed by local asylum seekers in order to help provide healthy meals for the children and to give the asylum seekers an opportunity to help integrate into the community. The principal of the school spoke with our group and was such an inspiration.
Later this after noon we took a ride on a jaunting car (a traditional Irish horse-drawn carriage) for a tour of the forested hills of Killarney National Park and the Kenmare Estate, a former residence for an Irish noble family.
The park is so picturesque and what fun seeing it from a carriage. Ross Castle is a 15th-century tower house on the shore of Lough Leane (Lake of Learning). In the background is the Macgillycuddy's Reeks range with highest peak in Ireland at 3,406 feet tall.
Today has been another very full day with so many interesting activities. Tomorrow we will explore Dingle.
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