We had a relatively late start for some reason this morning. :P After showering and preparing ourselves we went downstairs to the breakfast room. It was fairly packed at around 9:30am but we were treated to a Full Irish breakfast. Now the only difference between the full English and a full Irish breakfast was that white pudding replaced hash browns. Either way, it was spectacular.
Back in the hotel room we went onto Google maps to get directions to Blarney Castle. We hadn’t had that much luck with driving so far so we decided to take the laptop with us. At 11:30am we were finally away. Once again we drove past the spire (4 times now) and found we were going the wrong way. We drove back through the mall and past the spire again (5 times) and were now on the right track. To save the battery on the laptop Dan took screen shots with the camera of the directions. Dan slept as Ev drove and the drive for Ev was a lot easier thanks to clearer directions. We drove 3 hours south to Blarney just outside of Cork. Funnily we heard Harvey Norman ads for Ireland with the same Australian voice over back home, on the radio.
Getting to Cork was fairly straight forward and the Irish countryside was incredibly beautiful. The directions to Blarney though were not so straight forward but somehow we fluked our way in getting to Blarney Castle. It felt the grounds were smack bang in the middle of town. We had pictured Blarney Castle to be in a remote part of the country surrounded by rolling hills and cows but, there it was, just off the road lined with pubs. We parked the car in what we assumed was the parking lot and entered. We were pretty hungry so grabbed some sandwiches from one of the food stalls. We were really impressed with the gardens at the Blarney Castle. It was just like going back in time knowing there is still a working house here. We took our time roaming the grounds of the castle and read about the history from the guidebook we purchased as we entered.
It only took about 5 minutes to reach the castle itself and it appeared to be very well preserved and easy to climb. The narrow limestone stairwell was a little slippery in some places though there was no water on the steps. The rails helped to stabilise us to the top. We enjoyed the scenery from the top of the castle and couldn’t believe the beauty that was before us. From the gardens in the grounds, to the nearby town there were trees and grass everywhere. At one stage Ev could feel the song ‘You Raise Me Up’ sung by Josh Groban; that breathtaking feeling of grandeur and peacefulness all at once.
The Blarney Kiss
We continued our way over the top of the castle towards the magic of The Stone. It is said that all who kiss the Blarney Castle Stone are assured to be bestowed with the eloquence of Irish talk; soft, persuasive, with a nice touch of flattery and a twinkle in the eye; in other words, the gift of the gab. We noticed as we came up to the stone that the spot where you have to kiss was a darker grey compared to the other parts of the stone. The staff who took the photos said it was because they have to clean it so much, but I don’t think it was sprayed before we had our turn. Eeeeeww!! Anyway, pay the toll, suck it up and ‘Stone, work your charm!!’ It was awkward to get down to the stone. When you lay down, the rock beneath your head had been taken out so you could see the ground a long way down as you sat. On your back you reach your arms above your head to pull your body close to the wall then arch your back so you were lower than your body. Smile for the professional camera, as you “Mmmwwaaa!” Kiss the Blarney Stone, and Smile again as you gracefully and awkwardly get up. Now we have proof we were there. We have officially kissed the Blarney Stone, so look out world.
After walking back down the steps of the castle, we went to the souvenir shop and grabbed a copy of our professional photos of us kissing the stone. We then went for a quiet stroll around the gardens which contained several rock formations given imaginative names such as, Witches Kitchen, Witches Cave and Druids Corner.
Dan walked up the Wishing Steps and they say that if you walk up and down the stairs with your eyes closed and think of a wish the entire time it will come true in one year. Dan walked up with his eyes closed, but not down because there was another couple behind us, so we’re thinking that that will mean his wish will come true in 6 months. Ev hopes that timing is good because if he wished for a baby, we’re in trouble.
We continued our stroll through the gardens and enjoyed an open park area and sat on a log that had been hollowed out into a seat and ate some cream buns while watching some kids play on a wooden sea-saw in the distance. It was very relaxing with the sun warming us. There was plenty of space to just relax. We followed the paths back past to castle to the overbridge of the small brook then up to the souvenir shop where Dan bought an Irish Rugby shirt. We then went to the car and saw another shop so got more souvenir’s there too, including a recipe for Irish coffee magnet for Ev and some Jameson Whisky chocolates for Dan.
The drive back to Dublin was a lot easier as all we did was follow the ‘Dublin’ sign. We got back a lot quicker thanks to lead foot, Ev, driving at around 140km/h. We got back to Dublin at 7:30pm but had a bit of trouble finding where we were supposed to go. Dan spotted the Spire of Dublin and told Ev to drive towards it.
Ev replied “What’s the Spire of Dublin?”
Dan said “The big, steel pin-like structure on the street we are staying near”
Ev replied “Really? I don’t remember seeing it”.
Dan couldn’t believe it and nearly lost his mind trying to explain the massive spire in the middle of Dublin that even a blind man could see. Ev was adamant she hadn’t seen it. Anyway, we ended up using Dan’s iPhone to get us home.
Finally, back at to the hotel, Dan turned the TV on and noticed that the England v Bulgaria football match was about to start. Aww yeah! We quickly headed to the Dunne’s shopping centre for more supplies and then to grab some dinner. On the way we passed the Spire of Dublin (for the 6th time) and Dan said to Ev “That is the Spire of Dublin” to which Ev replied “Ohh, I didn’t even notice it.” Dan felt a vain pop in his forehead. :)
Ev fancied Burger King because it was there, but Dan was reluctant and wanted something more...Irish?? Anyway, we passed a fish and chip shop and ordered a meal for 2 which included Haddock, just a white fish. We (Dan) sat on the bed to watch the game as we ate. Dinner was very nice but it turned out everything had been deep fried. We couldn’t tell what anything was until we took a bite. We figured out we had deep fried prawns, a raw onion ring, pineapple and fish. Bring those calories on!! Anyway, England won 4-0, boo, and Dan finished off his Jameson Whisky and helped Ev drink her Archers. You know what they say ‘When In Ireland, get drunk and start a fight!’ Seriously though, it was another great day on an awesome honeymoon. Still 2 months to go. Woot!!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dan-ev/collections/72157624677997272
Back in the hotel room we went onto Google maps to get directions to Blarney Castle. We hadn’t had that much luck with driving so far so we decided to take the laptop with us. At 11:30am we were finally away. Once again we drove past the spire (4 times now) and found we were going the wrong way. We drove back through the mall and past the spire again (5 times) and were now on the right track. To save the battery on the laptop Dan took screen shots with the camera of the directions. Dan slept as Ev drove and the drive for Ev was a lot easier thanks to clearer directions. We drove 3 hours south to Blarney just outside of Cork. Funnily we heard Harvey Norman ads for Ireland with the same Australian voice over back home, on the radio.
Getting to Cork was fairly straight forward and the Irish countryside was incredibly beautiful. The directions to Blarney though were not so straight forward but somehow we fluked our way in getting to Blarney Castle. It felt the grounds were smack bang in the middle of town. We had pictured Blarney Castle to be in a remote part of the country surrounded by rolling hills and cows but, there it was, just off the road lined with pubs. We parked the car in what we assumed was the parking lot and entered. We were pretty hungry so grabbed some sandwiches from one of the food stalls. We were really impressed with the gardens at the Blarney Castle. It was just like going back in time knowing there is still a working house here. We took our time roaming the grounds of the castle and read about the history from the guidebook we purchased as we entered.
It only took about 5 minutes to reach the castle itself and it appeared to be very well preserved and easy to climb. The narrow limestone stairwell was a little slippery in some places though there was no water on the steps. The rails helped to stabilise us to the top. We enjoyed the scenery from the top of the castle and couldn’t believe the beauty that was before us. From the gardens in the grounds, to the nearby town there were trees and grass everywhere. At one stage Ev could feel the song ‘You Raise Me Up’ sung by Josh Groban; that breathtaking feeling of grandeur and peacefulness all at once.
The Blarney Kiss
We continued our way over the top of the castle towards the magic of The Stone. It is said that all who kiss the Blarney Castle Stone are assured to be bestowed with the eloquence of Irish talk; soft, persuasive, with a nice touch of flattery and a twinkle in the eye; in other words, the gift of the gab. We noticed as we came up to the stone that the spot where you have to kiss was a darker grey compared to the other parts of the stone. The staff who took the photos said it was because they have to clean it so much, but I don’t think it was sprayed before we had our turn. Eeeeeww!! Anyway, pay the toll, suck it up and ‘Stone, work your charm!!’ It was awkward to get down to the stone. When you lay down, the rock beneath your head had been taken out so you could see the ground a long way down as you sat. On your back you reach your arms above your head to pull your body close to the wall then arch your back so you were lower than your body. Smile for the professional camera, as you “Mmmwwaaa!” Kiss the Blarney Stone, and Smile again as you gracefully and awkwardly get up. Now we have proof we were there. We have officially kissed the Blarney Stone, so look out world.
 |
| Dan getting up after kissing the stone. ‘Was it as good for you as it was for me?’ |
After walking back down the steps of the castle, we went to the souvenir shop and grabbed a copy of our professional photos of us kissing the stone. We then went for a quiet stroll around the gardens which contained several rock formations given imaginative names such as, Witches Kitchen, Witches Cave and Druids Corner.
 |
| Witches Kitchen |
 |
| Witch Stone - see her nose in the centre |
 |
| Walking up the Wishing Steps |
We continued our stroll through the gardens and enjoyed an open park area and sat on a log that had been hollowed out into a seat and ate some cream buns while watching some kids play on a wooden sea-saw in the distance. It was very relaxing with the sun warming us. There was plenty of space to just relax. We followed the paths back past to castle to the overbridge of the small brook then up to the souvenir shop where Dan bought an Irish Rugby shirt. We then went to the car and saw another shop so got more souvenir’s there too, including a recipe for Irish coffee magnet for Ev and some Jameson Whisky chocolates for Dan.
The drive back to Dublin was a lot easier as all we did was follow the ‘Dublin’ sign. We got back a lot quicker thanks to lead foot, Ev, driving at around 140km/h. We got back to Dublin at 7:30pm but had a bit of trouble finding where we were supposed to go. Dan spotted the Spire of Dublin and told Ev to drive towards it.
Ev replied “What’s the Spire of Dublin?”
Dan said “The big, steel pin-like structure on the street we are staying near”
Ev replied “Really? I don’t remember seeing it”.
Dan couldn’t believe it and nearly lost his mind trying to explain the massive spire in the middle of Dublin that even a blind man could see. Ev was adamant she hadn’t seen it. Anyway, we ended up using Dan’s iPhone to get us home.
Finally, back at to the hotel, Dan turned the TV on and noticed that the England v Bulgaria football match was about to start. Aww yeah! We quickly headed to the Dunne’s shopping centre for more supplies and then to grab some dinner. On the way we passed the Spire of Dublin (for the 6th time) and Dan said to Ev “That is the Spire of Dublin” to which Ev replied “Ohh, I didn’t even notice it.” Dan felt a vain pop in his forehead. :)
Ev fancied Burger King because it was there, but Dan was reluctant and wanted something more...Irish?? Anyway, we passed a fish and chip shop and ordered a meal for 2 which included Haddock, just a white fish. We (Dan) sat on the bed to watch the game as we ate. Dinner was very nice but it turned out everything had been deep fried. We couldn’t tell what anything was until we took a bite. We figured out we had deep fried prawns, a raw onion ring, pineapple and fish. Bring those calories on!! Anyway, England won 4-0, boo, and Dan finished off his Jameson Whisky and helped Ev drink her Archers. You know what they say ‘When In Ireland, get drunk and start a fight!’ Seriously though, it was another great day on an awesome honeymoon. Still 2 months to go. Woot!!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dan-ev/collections/72157624677997272
2 comments:
A Castle! now i'm really jealous :( Bel :) x
it wasn't easier because of the google maps...it was because you were in a smaller country lol! LMAO at the spire.
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