2003 Discovering Britain & Ireland – Day 18

BLARNEY & LEPRECHAUNS – Killarney to Waterford

Our usual 7am suitcase samba – usual dirty big breakfast – I get a chance to buy some Danny Mann T-shirts for Stuart because I forgot last night and then it’s time to have a bit of a walk around the town in the early morning.  Find a local phone booth, ring Kylie and home and then it is our usual departure ritual.  Paul counts the heads – we count our bags and belongings and we are away.

Heading east – we visit Blarney Castle – 9km NW of Cork. Originally built as a timber hunting lodge in the 10^th century it was replaced by a stone castle in 1210 AD.  Lots of interesting ruins, lots of stairs and not so lots of tourists which is great. Then again, it is only early in the morning and I am sure that the numbers will increase as the day goes on.  The Blarney Stone is in the square tower in the photo on the right. The cloud cover has returned. Bummer!!!  Wandering around and around the grounds, in and out of everything. Buildings have tiny narrow stairs – below -   so I’ve got to watch out. Decide to go up and see the Blarney Stone – and maybe a kiss to acquire the ‘gift of the gab’ – but then I see it and think no thank you. It is a filthy rock that you have to lie down on your back, bend your head over backwards, hold onto these railings and kiss it upside down. The guy that helps everyone down, holds them by their legs and then helps them back up wipes the stone every now and again with some sort of cloth and that is enough for me.  I stand in line – I’ll help you kiss the stone says he - no thank you says I – I’ll just take a photo of it thank you and go!!!!

The views are fabulous from up here so I take some more photos.  Wandering around the grounds there is a lot of little nooks and crannies through the woods to explore and I reckon I did see a leprechaun or two. And no, I haven’t had a drink today!!!!

The gardens are fabulous with little bridges over tiny streams – it is a very relaxing place and I wish I could spend the day here but after our allotted couple of hours it is time to go – the tourist numbers have definitely increased as the morning wears on – so it’s back on the coach and we are heading for Waterford.  More lovely countryside and we get into Waterford about 3pm. We book into our accommodation for the night – Dooley's Hotel and have time for a quick bit of relaxation. Really nice hotel with a good size room.  Time sure goes fast – and before I know it, it is time to go downstairs and join the group for - -

#10 OPTIONAL: Waterford Walking Tour - Cost ₤14.00

The local guide is great – a real sense of humour and he knows his history of the place as well. We walk around Waterford – see old buildings, ruins, the Port Authority building and lots of interesting things and end up – surprise, surprise – at the pub. It is really old – T & H Doolans and it is called a Tavern – sorry. Licensed for over 300 years and the wall in the lounge was built over 800 years ago by the Normans. We get a ‘complimentary’ drink – (I am sure that it was covered in the cost of the tour) and then we can make our own way back to the Hotel which is not far.

Highlight of the day: Blarney Castle